This free concert at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Garden celebrates the arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the city, in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
The entertainment sees a mix of music and dance, and guest appearances from sporting stars in association with Glasgow 2014 and Team Scotland.
The concert will feature award-winning contemporary folk bank Rura and will be presented by cult comedian, writer and ‘Still Game’ actor Sanjeev Kohli. Other acts include alternative Scottish hip-hop group Stanley Odd, harpist and star of BBC’s ‘The Voice’ Anna McLuckie, and the Love Music Community Choir.
The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton is scheduled to arrive in Scotland on the morning of Saturday 14 June in Coldstream before being welcomed to Edinburgh at Heriot-Watt University. The baton will travel throughout Edinburgh, spending the day at various locations and attractions in the city including Meadowbank Stadium and the Royal Commonwealth Pool, which will host the Glasgow 2014 diving competition, before reaching the Ross Bandstand for the Edinburgh Evening Celebrations.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion at the City of Edinburgh Council, says it offes a “ chance to cheer on some of Team Scotland’s sporting stars ahead of their Commonwealth Games competitions."
The Line-up
Presenter/MC - Sanjeev Kohli - Sanjeev Kohli is a Scottish Asian comedian, writer and actor. He is most famous for his roles on television and radio, as Navid Harrid in the cult sitcom Still Game and as Norrie in BBC Four's Bob Servant Independent.
Rura - One of the finest Scottish acts to emerge in recent times, Rura, simply haven’t looked back since bursting on to the folk scene in 2010. Announced as winners of a prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival 2011 and as ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ at MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, the powerhouse five-piece line-up of Rura has already performed across the UK, Europe and most recently in the U.S.A. Combining highland pipes, whistles, flute, fiddle, bodhran, guitar and vocals, their powerful, energetic performances breathe new life into traditional music and showcase Scotland’s emerging talent in new contemporary folk songs and instrumentals. Best Up & Coming Act 2011′ MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2013 Award nominee.
Stanley Odd - Whether you get off on words, beats, tunes or all of the above, Edinburgh six-piece Stanley Odd deliver the full deluxe package. Alternative Scottish hip-hop with heart, mind, wit, grit, conscience and superb live musicianship, Stanley Odd’s sound is reaching well beyond the rapidly burgeoning subculture from which it emerged, borne on an escalating grapevine buzz that’s set to ramp up several notches further, with the release of their second album Reject.
Anna McLuckie - Anna McLuckie is a sixth form pupil at Broughton High School who came to prominence when performing on the BBC’s The Voice and her interpretation of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ has generated almost 7.5 million views on You Tube. Anna, who has been playing the harp since she was nine, has been offered a place to study at the prestigious Northern College of Music in Manchester.
Love Music Community Choir - Scotland’s most ambitious and visionary community singing project. This choir is for anyone and everyone, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the city of Edinburgh. Fun, accessibility and quality is at the core of the LMCC and their interaction and participation with the audience creates incredible performances. Conducted by Stephen Deazley
Special Glasgow 2014 Sporting Guests - Throughout the evening special guests from Team Scotland will be appearing on-stage to highlight their involvement in the games and get people behind Team Scotland.