The picturesque Isle of Tiree was bursting with excitement and energy this weekend as it hosted the much-anticipated Tiree Music Festival (TMF).
From Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July, the island reverberated with the sound of music as over 30 performances and a host of fringe activities brought the 2,100 ticket holders together in a shared passion for live music and community.
Held against the backdrop of Tiree’s stunning Crossapol beach, the sun shone on TMF 2024 as the boutique festival showcased an unforgettable line-up of talented artists who made sure the event lived up to its tagline and was Worth the Journey for all those visiting.
Ireland’s leading country singer Nathan Carter made his TMF debut on Sunday, with crowds turning out in droves to belt out their favourite hits, including Banks of the Roses and Wagon Wheel.
Homegrown talent Trail West and Skerryvore once again blew audiences away with their energetic performances, while renowned Highlanders Tide Lines closed the show on Friday, performing at the very place where their journey began.
Stand-out performances from Cammy Barnes, Project Smok, Heisk, Aoife Scott and Valtos elevated the festival to new heights, with their remarkable talent and dedication to their craft leaving a lasting impression on crowds.
As always at TMF, Scotland’s incredible emerging talent was celebrated on the Elevate Stage, where the likes of NATI, Calum Jones and The Laurettes all put on unforgettable sets across the weekend thanks to support from Creative Scotland.
The festival’s fringe programme was packed with experiences and activities that perfectly captured the essence of the island. Friday’s fancy dress fun run along the stunning Crossapol Beach brought a playful and energetic start to the weekend as participants donned their most imaginative costumes, creating a vibrant spectacle that set the tone for the festivities ahead.
ARB Sand Art workshops had people of all ages engaging in artistic expression and learning the basics of the craft with an incredible TMF 2024 logo being created in the sand with the help of over 40 volunteers.
Beach yoga sessions on each day of the festival provided the perfect opportunity for attendees to connect with nature and enjoy some peace and tranquillity amidst the festival excitement, while Tyree Gin distillery tours and tastings allowed festival-goers to delve into the world of local Tiree produce, sampling the flavours of the island in a fun and immersive environment.
Children enjoyed a packed programme of fun, games and dancing at TMF mascot Fergie’s Fun Club, with the Gaelic Bookbug also celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Scottish language through storytelling and rhyme, while Sabhal Mòr Ostaig staged Gaelic language and song workshops, with the help of Gaelic songstress Eilidh Cormack. Circus skills workshops were a highlight of the festival’s fringe programme, with a huge volunteer flash mob delighting festival-goers at various points across the weekend.
One of the world’s most remote festival locations, Tiree is known fondly as the “Hawaii of the North” and visitors can soak up the friendly festival atmosphere, set against the backdrop of the Island’s white sandy beaches and world-class surf spots for a truly unique festival experience.
For those who weren’t able to make the journey to Tiree, a new digital content package, titled TMF TV is giving viewers exclusive access to some incredible performances and backstage interviews. Unique video content was uploaded to the platform daily throughout the duration of the festival and is still available for an introductory price of £10 at https://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/tmftv.
This year there was also a renewed focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the festival, with a range of new initiatives introduced with support from Highland and Island Enterprise and EventScotland which resulted in an annual reduction of 1.8 tonnes in carbon emissions.
Daniel Gillespie, Artistic Director for Tiree Music Festival, said: “We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to the magic of TMF 2024. The positive energy and unwavering support from our incredible audience, dedicated volunteers, and the talented artists who graced our stages made this year’s event truly exceptional. Putting on a festival on an island on the West Coast of Scotland is no mean feat and we are so grateful to everyone who makes the journey and allows us to show off this special place.”
People can sign up for TMF TV for a TMF 2024 introductory price of £10. Visit tireemusicfestival.co.uk/tmftv. For more information on Tiree Music Festival please go to www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk