Venue gears up for its first Up-Helly-A’ hop

Mareel is gearing up to celebrate its first Up-Helly-A’ this month with a series of events including the first festival hop in the venue.

The action begins on Up-Helly-A’ day itself with the Fiery Sessions concert, showcasing local musicians Vair and Kaela Jamieson and John Hutchison.

On the Tuesday evening Stand Up-Helly-A’, the annual comedy show, features John Gavin and Paul Pirie and is compered by Sandy Nelson.

Shetland Arts says the hop on the Wednesday evening, with DJ Tam Coyle, “is sure to keep the party going until the early hours”.

Coyle has been DJ at many high-profile events including T in the Park and the official Hogmanay parties in Edinburgh, Glasgow’s George Square and Stirling Castle.
Locally he kept local crowds dancing into the small hours at the Tall Ships in Lerwick last year.

Shetland Arts marketing officer Lisa Ward said: “With the assistance of one of the noisiest and liveliest crowds he’s ever encountered, he aims to keep the party going with a set to be enjoyed by everyone from 18 to 81.”

Ms Ward said it was very exciting to be holding the annual Up-Helly-A’ day events, Fiery Sessions and Stand Up-Helly-A’ in Mareel for the first time, and tickets were selling fast.

She added: “Our first ever Up-Helly-A’ Hop with DJ Tam Coyle is also looking like it’s going to be a brilliant night. Tam knows how to create a set guaranteed to get everyone dancing.”