The Hebridean Celtic Festival 2018, Stornoway, Lewis
Day Two: Friday, July 20
THE grass still looks pristine despite the rain of the previous day. Though grey clouds linger in the sky, children are bouncing around on an inflatable castle, and there's a good feeling in the air.
It became almost impossible to get inside the acoustic tent, as an eager crowd stood at the entrance, hoping to squeeze their way in to see Stornoway's Colin Macleod.
There's a cosy atmosphere once inside which gave an authentic country feel with stacks of hay propped up as seating.
The first song "Kicks In" from Macleod's album, "Bloodlines", created a calm, soothing environment for everyone to soak up and enjoy. He told stories of the island and its many quirks.
Everyone cheered and more festival goers made attempts to get inside the already heaving tent. Macleod played his song "100 Miles" which, he joked, is apparently, only one fifth as good as The Proclaimers' version.
The crowd swayed back and forth enjoying Macleod's renditions of Bruce Springsteen classics.
At the mainstage, throngs of eager fans pushed to the front, awaiting Gaelic-pop-rock band Tide Lines. The lights inside dimmed, as the pounding drums played by Gus kicked off the show.
"I want to hear some noise!" shouted Robert Robertson, lead vocalist. Banners were waved in the air and the spotlight was put on the crowd to sing along.
The next number, which was slightly more mellow, was Gaelic song "Co-thrath". It was incredible to watch as so many young people singing along to the Gaelic-pop-rock lyrics.
Hues of purple lights flashed across the room and balloons were passed around the hearty crowd. A cry of "OK, Lewis. Let's see what you've got!" had the people clambering on each other's shoulders, hyping everyone up for the night ahead.
Roddy Woomble took to the LWP Island's stage and performed alternative indie-rock music from his fifth solo album, The Deluder. The audience gave a raptuorous applause and cheered him on as violinist Hannah Fisher ignited the crowd for the rest of the night's performances.
Everyone retreated to the mainstage, waiting for the main headliners of night, The Fratellis. The whole crowd were in an incredibly upbeat mood singing, "Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond" before their arrival.
As soon as John, Barry and Mince Fratelli took to the stage, almost immediately, people were on each other's shoulders cheering them on.
Their song, "Whistle For The Choir" had everyone join in. They gave an electrifying performance of "Chelsea Dagger" and an explosive strum off went on between John on electric guitar and bassist Barry.
The balloons made a return from the crowd again as fluroscent-pink lights illuminated throughout the arena. The atmosphere was surreal.
The air was cold, but the castle lit up in the background as people flowed out of the tent, dancing across the grass and singing along to the lyrics word for word.
The performers shouted, "Thank you and good night!" as the high-spirited crowd sang, "Chelsea Dagger" one last time.
At the end of the night, glowing lanterns were placed at the festival's exit near the boat harbour. It felt somewhat like a scene from medieval Scotland as the crowd left feeling ecstatic and incredibly patriotic.
Sophie McLean is a guest of HebCelt 2018 as part of the Year of Young People 2018.
HebCelt takes place July 18-21
Visit hebceltfest.com
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