Selkirk’s finest, Frightened Rabbit, have announced details of a very special Scottish Highlands tour set to take place this April. With a mix of Frightened Rabbit acoustic shows and full band sets on the cards, the anthemic indie quintet will be playing intimate venues – as low as 100 capacities – across their native Scotland. If you’ve seen one of Frightened Rabbit’s acoustic shows before, you’ll know they are not your run-of-the-mill acoustic nights, as you’ll most likely be treated to a burst of impromptu stories from Scott! The run of dates kick off with the band’s acoustic shows at Gourock’s Café Continental on April 11th, with dates following in Perth, Forres, Ullapool and Isle of Mull. The full band set-up’s commence shortly after at Aviemore’s Old Bridge Inn on April 18th, continuing through Stornoway, Portee, Strathpeffer, before finishing up in Dunoon on April 22nd.
Since releasing their debut album Sing the Greys in 2006, the band has gone from strength to strength, building a dedicated fanbase and selling out shows nationwide and stateside. Frightened Rabbit will shortly be starting work on their fourth studio album – their debut on Atlantic Records. Scott Hutchinson says of the forthcoming release – “The new record has taken a slightly more stripped back direction than the last album. It’s a little darker – we’ve been writing in the minor key a bit more, and the whole thing has been a far more collaborative effort, which has lead to interesting new elements appearing in the songs.”
The band’s journey started in 2003 when Scott began playing solo shows under their now acclaimed name. Playing and recording all the instruments himself, he founded their trademark sound: a stew of pop brilliance and emotional turmoil. The band’s second album Midnight Organ Fight – recorded by Peter Katis (Mercury Rev, Interpol) – was released in April 2008 and revealed Scott’s soaring vocal delivery and knack for writing emotive, spine-tingling lyrics. Their last album The Winter of Mixed Drinks was released in 2010 to huge acclaim and a new height of popularity, leading to big U.S. and UK/Ireland tours and the recruitment of fifth member, Gordon Skene.
Having never played in many of the places on the upcoming tour, it’s sure to be a very special occasion for both the band and the fans. “I think the great thing about this tour is the fact that we’ll be playing to a lot of people who have never been able to see the band before. We’ve never even visited some of these towns, and I can’t think of a better way to see your own country than to jump in a van and play some shows. It’s been something we’ve all been really keen to do for some time, and it’s exciting that it’s finally come together,” says Scott.
Frightened Rabbit is – Scott Hutchison (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Billy Kennedy (bass), Andy Monaghan (guitar/keys), Grant Hutchison (drums) and Gordon Skene (guitar/keys).
Full Highlands Tour dates:
Acoustic Shows (Scott only)
11th April Gourock Cafe Continental
12th April Perth Twa Tams
13th April Forres The Loft
14th April Ullapool The Arch Inn
15th April Isle of Mull An Tobar
Full Band Shows
18th April Aviemore The Old Bridge Inn
19th April Stornoway An Lanntair
20th April Portree, Skye Community Centre
21st April Strathpeffer, Ross-shire Spa Pavilion
22nd April Dunoon Queens Hall
Tickets will be available here on Friday 3rd Feb at 9am
