T in the Park organiser to bring music stars to Mareel

Shetland Arts has agreed a partnership with leading promoter DF Concerts & Events in the run-up to the opening of Mareel.

Meanwhile in a separate move local promoter Davie Gardner’s company Atlantic Edge Music Services will be responsible for programming 20 concerts in the music venue each year.

DF is one of Europe’s leading arts and concert promotion companies, bringing the best live music and events to audiences in Scotland. It works with a huge number and a diverse range of artists, from cutting edge unsigned talent to the music industry’s biggest acts, across club, arena, stadium and green field shows. The company also owns the legendary King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow and organises one the world’s most successful music festivals, T in the Park.

DF’s partnership with Mareel will see a number of high-profile gig dates in Shetland and give Mareel access to early discussions with agents who are planning to tour acts in the UK. The agreement will also place Shetland in line for acts keen to start their UK/European tour in Scotland and who are looking for exclusive warm-up dates.

Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons said: “I believe that our partnership between DF Concerts & Events and Mareel is a hugely exciting development in the life of this ambitious project.

“DF will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the success of Mareel and I believe Mareel will provide DF with a base in the UK’s most northerly music venue, in an extraordinary inspiring location that I hope in time will feel like a second home to their prestigious Glasgow-based venue King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.”

DF chief executive Geoff Ellis said: “We are delighted to be working with Shetland Arts on what will be a really exciting project. Mareel is a beautiful venue set in a stunning location and will offer touring artists a unique live experience. We look forward to announcing a great bill of acts over the coming months.”

Mr Gardner, the former music development officer with Shetland Arts Trust, has been involved with the isles music scene for many years, organising and promoting a number of highly successful concerts and festivals.

He set up Atlantic Edge Music Services in November 2006. The business offers management and agency services to established musicians and helps to introduce new and exciting musicians and musical acts. The company not only represents artists from Shetland and Orkney, but musicians from Scotland, Canada and Scandinavia.

Mr Gardner said: “I’m delighted to have been asked by Shetland Arts to programme a series of events into the exciting and challenging project that is Mareel, as part of their overall monthly events programme.

“I also look forward to doing this in effective conjunction with others, both in and outwith Shetland, to ensure we deliver a dynamic, varied and popular programme that comfortably sits alongside other events in the venue and within the local community in general.”