Glasgow Summer Sessions Confirms Headliners
Glasgow Summer Sessions have today announced three of the biggest acts in the world; Kings of Leon, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Kendrick Lamar will headline the outdoor festival in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park on Wednesday 22nd, Saturday 25th, Wednesday 29th August respectively.
Also added to the growing bill are The Wombats, Twin Atlantic and N.E.R.D plus DMA’s, Bugzy Malone, Peace and Neon Waltz.
Kings of Leon will return to Glasgow Summer Sessions, following their sold-out performance in 2013 in the festival’s debut year. The multi-platinum band’s only Scottish date this year will see the iconic outfit take to the stage performing an endless stream of hits from their back catalogue which includes ‘The Bucket’, ‘On Call’ and ‘Use Somebody’ alongside newer singles ‘WALLS’ and ‘Waste A Moment’. Fifteen years after storming onto the scene with debut Youth and Young Manhood, Kings of Leon have released seven albums and sold over 21 million albums and 38 million singles worldwide, won four Grammy Awards and had five number one albums in the UK. Their latest No.1 album WALLS saw Kings of Leon embark on a mastered Southern rock and blues sound and perfect the alternative rock anthems they are now renowned for around the world.
Glasgow Summer Sessions’ are thrilled to welcome the incredible Catfish and the Bottlemen back to Glasgow, as they take to the stage on Saturday 25th August. The British four-piece make an exciting addition to the bustling Scottish festival landscape, and will be preparing Scottish fans for a hint of new material. Magnetic frontman Van McCann clearly holds a special place for the city and its world-renowned crowds, as demonstrated on their album track ‘Glasgow’. The band’s entire set will no doubt be roared back to the singer word for word by the Bellahouston Park crowd during their Glasgow Summer Sessions appearance. Their gold-status 2016 album The Ride, quickly became a fan favourite for singalong anthems ‘7’, ‘Twice’ and ‘Soundcheck’, alongside debut singles and all-round festival bangers ‘Kathleen’ and ‘Homesick’. Catfish and the Bottlemen have perfected their live set on tours around the world, and with the indie rockers quickly graduating to headline slots, their debut at Glasgow Summer Sessions this year will be a welcome return to the city for one of the hottest live bands around.
Kendrick Lamar is a true visionary and era-defining performer and a massively exciting addition to the bustling Scottish live line-up in 2018. His fourth album DAMN. saw him reach new heights. Picking up ‘Best Rap Album’ at the 2018 Grammys, as well as nods for ‘HUMBLE.’ with ‘Best Rap Performance’, ‘Best Music Video’ and ‘Best Rap Song’, Kendrick Lamar has collaborated with Rihanna, Dr Dre, Drake, The Weeknd, N.E.R.D and Snoop Dogg to name a few, and this year co-produced the soundtrack for Marvel’s newest, and most culturally significant, superhero movie Black Panther. The Compton singer broke onto the scene with his 2012 debutGood Kid, m.A.A.d City and now sells out arenas around the world, enchanting audiences with his enigmatic, high-powered sets which showcase a socio-political analysis and self-awareness rarely seen on today’s music scene. Kendrick Lamar’s set at Glasgow Summer Sessions will allow Scottish audiences to see a rapper at the very top of his game, and a star of seismic levels take to the stage.
The Wombats will join Kings of Leon, for a rock-fused festival atmosphere on Wednesday 22nd August. The English trio will make their Glasgow Summer Sessions debut this year, following the release of their fourth studio album Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life in February this year. Forming in 2003, the Liverpudlians achieved indie disco heaven with powerful singles ‘Let’s Dance To Joy Division’ and ‘Moving To New York’ and have managed to raise the bar with 2018’s infectious, and made for festivals, tune ‘Lemon To A Knife Fight’. The band’s alt-pop innovation sees them merge singalong anthems with seriously matured songwriting and ensures that The Wombats are here to stay.
Glaswegian rockers Twin Atlantic come home to Bellahouston Park as they join Catfish and the Bottlemen on Saturday 25th August, for what is sure to be a serious party atmosphere. The Sam McTrusty-fronted four-piece feel such a tie to their hometown that they named their fourth album after it; GLA saw the band step their alt-rock attitude up a level with singles ‘No Sleep’ and ‘The Chaser’. Twin Atlantic will once again entertain the masses with hits from their 18-year long career which include ‘Heart and Soul’, ‘Brothers and Sisters’ and ‘Free’.
Making an epic much-awaited return to Scotland is superstars N.E.R.D. Releasing their much-anticipated first album in seven years, N.E.R.D. are firmly back at the helm of hip-hop, and will take to the Glasgow Summer Sessions stage on 29th August, joining the Kendrick Lamar-headlined bill for a show that is sure to go down in Glasgow’s musical history. Last year saw N.E.R.D drop their fifth album No_One Ever Really Dies featuring collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Future, Ed Sheeran and M.I.A. Fronted by the dynamic Pharrell Williams, N.E.R.D have been challenging musical concepts since their inception in 1999 and the rap/rock/R&B hybrid will bring a countless stream of hits to Glasgow which include ‘Lemon’, ‘Rockstar’, ‘She Wants To Move’ and ‘Everyone Nose’.
Australian rockers DMA’s bring their gloriously uplifting second album For Now to Bellahouston Park in 2018, joining Catfish and the Bottlemenon Saturday 25th August. The Sydney trio’s debut album in 2016 proved their feelgood vibes were well received in the UK as they played at festivals around the country, enthralling audiences with their passionately emotive, Britpop-inspired rock’n’roll tunes.
One of the UK’s brightest independent grime stars, Manchester wordsmith Bugzy Malone joins the Kendrick Lamar and N.E.R.D line-up for Glasgow Summer Sessions on 29th August. The rapper has been influential in grime’s recent revival and all three of his latest EP releases reached the Top 10 in the UK. Building a loyal fan base through his heartfelt lyrics and knock-out delivery, the self-proclaimed King of the North’s set at Glasgow Summer Sessions should not be missed.
Indie-rockers Peace join Catfish and the Bottlemen on Saturday 25th August, with new album Kindness Is The New Rock And Roll due out this spring after a three year wait for new music from the band. Peace’s blistering success came after grabbing the attention of guitar cynics around the UK, winning fans over with romantic riffs and dancing drum beats in full festival tents across the country.
Since forming in 2013, Neon Waltz, the celebrated John O’Groats-based band, have toured the UK relentlessly, appearing at festivals including T in the Park as well as supporting artists including Noel Gallagher and The Coral. Neon Waltz recently went on tour supporting The Sherlocks, before embarking on a headline tour of their own earlier this year including a date at London’s iconic Omerea. The band’s grandiose sound dares to defy boundaries and with an exciting stage presence made for big venues and festivals, DF Concerts are thrilled to bring Neon Waltz to Glasgow Summer Sessions this August.
Glasgow Summer Sessions is set to bring some of the biggest and best artists in the world to Bellahouston Park this summer, giving fans a truly unmissable experience to round off their summer. For the first time ever, the festival has expanded to Edinburgh and is set to bring acts including Kasabian, Sir Tom Jones and more to Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens this summer. For more information on Edinburgh Summer Sessions, please visit WWW.SMMRSESSIONS.COM.
Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts said: “We couldn’t be happier to complete the headliner announcement and special guests for Glasgow Summer Sessions 2018.
“Kings of Leon’s live shows have become legendary in Scotland. They previously joined us for the inaugural Summer Sessions event in 2013, playing to around 35,000 fans and they always bring a phenomenal, high powered show to Scotland and will be joined by special guests The Wombats.
“Heading to Glasgow Summer Sessions for their only Scottish date of the summer, Catfish and the Bottlemen really are one of the hottest British guitar bands around at the moment and never disappoint with their energetic live sets. Following an incredible set at TRNSMT last year, fans of Van and co are in for a treat when they see the band at their first headline festival slot in Scotland along with Twin Atlantic, DMA’s, Peace and Neon Waltz.
“We’re absolutely delighted to bring Kendrick Lamar back to Scotland who is truly at the top of his game after an outstanding show at The SSE Hydro and will follow in the footsteps of Eminem, Biffy Clyro and Calvin Harris to headline Glasgow Summer Sessions with American hip-hop and rock icons N.E.R.D and Bugzy Malone.
“Glasgow Summer Sessions is shaping up to be an unmissable part of the lively Scottish music calendar for this year.”
Tickets go on general sale 9am Friday 13th April from WWW.SMMRSESSIONS.COM
