To mark Burns Night on 25th January, which celebrates the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns, I want to share 10 “braw” (Scottish word for fantastic) Scottish bands and artists from the millennial era and beyond.
1. Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro is a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals).
The trio has released nine studio albums, six of which reached the top five in the UK album charts. My favourite tracks include The Captain, Many of Horror, Who’s Got a Match?, Stingin’ Bells, Tiny Indoor Firework and, despite the sadness, Folding Stars and Machines.
I’ve been lucky enough to see Biffy Clyro perform live twice. The first time at the O2 Arena in 2016, which was mind-blowing. I sat right next to one of the speakers and the sound was astounding and vibrated all through my body.
The second time was at the O2 Guildhall, Southampton in November 2021, my first gig since the coronavirus pandemic. At this show, they played some banging classics plus songs from their newest album The Myth of the Happily Ever After.
Check out my live music review – Review: Biffy Clyro at O2 Guildhall, Southampton.
2. The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers are a Scottish rock duo formed in 1983 by twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, who were born in Leith and grew up in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty in Fife.
The duo, who sing in their distinctive Scottish accents, has released 12 studio albums in 35 years, the most recent being Dentures Out in 2022. Their best songs have to be I’m On My Way, Letter From America and the iconic I’m Gonna Be (500 miles).
Find out how I first discovered The Proclaimers and read my review of their live show a the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton in October 2022.
3. Twin Atlantic
Twin Atlantic are a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. The group currently consists of Sam McTrusty (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Ross McNae (bass) and Joe Lazarus (drums).
They have released six studio albums but I admit, I’m only aware of two of them – Free and Great Divide.
My favourite songs include Yes, I Was Drunk, Free, Crash Land, Make a Beast of Myself, Heart and Soul, Brothers and Sisters, No Sleep (from the fourth album GLA) and my ultimate favourite, The Ones That I Love, which has the best line – “Music is my therapy, I could listen to it all night long.”
I got to see them perform live at Glastonbury Festival 2015 at the Other Stage, while everyone else was at the Pyramid Stage watching Lionel Richie at the Legendary Slot (don’t worry, we made it back for Dancing on the Ceiling!)
4. The Fratellis
The Fratellis are a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, formed in 2005. The band consists of three unrelated members, who perform under pseudonyms: lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli, bassist Barry Fratelli and drummer Mince Fratelli.
Their singles Chelsea Dagger and Whistle for the Choir were both top ten hits in the UK charts. I also really like Henrietta and their cover of Yes Sir I Can Boogie.
I was lucky enough to see The Fratellis play live when they supported the Kaiser Chiefs in Bournemouth in November 2022. What amazed me the most at that show was they had an additional seven or eight touring members including backing singers, a trumpeter and a saxophone player.
5. Calvin Harris
This is a curveball artist but has significant sentimental value. Dumfries born, Calvin Harris, is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter who has released six studio albums.
I loved, and continue to enjoy, his earliest records I Created Disco and Ready for the Weekend, which include stunning dance anthems such as Acceptable in the 80s, The Girls, I’m Not Alone, The Rain and You Used To Hold Me. He even has an instrumental album track called Burns Night.
Calvin Harris was the first gig I ever attended as a 15-year-old in 2009. I was invited to come along to the O2 Academy in Bournemouth by my late friend Lottie Rapson and it was an incredible life-changing moment.
Being disabled, I thought I wouldn’t be able to go to gigs, but that night introduced me to live music and it started my ongoing passion for attending concerts and festivals across the country.
6. Gerry Cinnamon
Gerry Cinnamon is a Scottish singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist. He sings in his local accent with “brutally honest” lyrics. He was raised in ‘The Valley’, a residential area of the Castlemilkdistrict of Glasgow.
He rose to fame in 2017 with his debut album Erratic Cinematic, which includes an epic collection of tracks such as Sometimes, Belter and What Have You Done.
The album review I wrote back in 2018 has reached 1714 views, which is one of my most popular music blogs.
Gerry has released a second album called The Bonny, which I have yet to listen to in full, but I love the single Canter off the record.
I was hoping to see Gerry Cinnamon perform live when he was scheduled to support Courteeners in Southampton but sadly he was unavailable that night.
Whenever I look at his tour dates, he seemed to mostly play in Scotland or North England. Gerry – please do a gig in Hampshire.
7. Travis
Travis is a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1990, composed of Fran Healy (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dougie Payne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Andy Dunlop (lead guitar, banjo, backing vocals) and Neil Primrose (drums, percussion).
They’ve released nine studio albums from 1997 to 2020. Their most well-known tracks include Sing, Writing To Reach You, Why Does It Always Rain On Me and Flowers in the Window.
I admit I don’t know Travis that well but I like the stuff I have heard. I also got the chance to see them perform live at V Festival in 2016, which was great fun.
8. Primal Scream
Primal Scream is a Scottish rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow. The band’s current lineup consists of Bobby Gillespie (vocals), Andrew Innes (guitar), Simone Butler (bass), and Darrin Mooney (drums).
The band have recorded 11 albums from 1987 to 2016, which include a whole host of hits such as Rocks, Come Together, Loaded, Country Girl and Movin’ On Up.
I’ve never considered wanting to see Primal Scream live but after watching the BBC coverage of their Glastonbury set in 2022, I now wouldn’t mind seeing them perform on stage.
9. Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band’s current line-up is composed of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals, guitar), Julian Corrie (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Dino Bardot (guitar, backing vocals), Bob Hardy (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Audrey Tait (drums).
The band is one of the more popular post-punk revival bands, garnering multiple UK top 20 hits including their two signature songs Take Me Out and Do You Want To.
I’ve never seen Franz Ferdinand live and have not really felt the urge to. However, if they appear at a local venue or on the setlist for any future festivals I may attend, I might check them out.
10. The Snuts
The Snuts is a Scottish indie rock band formed in 2015, originating from West Lothian, Scotland. The band was formed when the members were in school and consist of Jack Cochrane (vocals and guitar), Joe McGillveray (guitar), Callum ’29’ Wilson (bass) and Jordan ‘Joko’ Mackay (drums),
They first demoed songs in 2016 and then released their debut album W.L in 2021, which includes tracks Glasgow, Always, Maybe California, Elephants, and Sing For Your Supper.
They then released their second album Burn The Empire, which includes songs Zuckapuch, The Rodeo and Hallujha Moments.
I’ve not seen The Snuts perform live yet but they are definitely on my bucket list.
Also, check out my interviews with the Scottish band Tradmrkd and artist Kyle Chatham.
What are your favourite Scottish bands and artists? Share them in the comments box or social media.
