With a stunning view of the silvery Tay you will find Forgan’s Art Centre that again played host to Lughnasadh music and arts festival.
(read to the Teddy Bear’s picnic rhyme)
If you go down to Newport on Tay you are sure for a big surprise,
On the banks of the Tay, you will find a festival full of fun.
We will gather there because we care and there’s music in the air.
If you go down to Newport on Tay, you would have been sure to have lots of fun!
Okay enough of the cheese and on to the good stuff..
Lughnasadh (Loo-nah-sah) is a festival presented by Big Rock Records Newport-on-Tay and Forgan’s Arts Centre. The festival celebrates our connection to nature and the turning of the Celtic wheel. Traditionally, Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season. Think Fife’s own small, intimate version of Belladrum, family friendly, set against beautiful scenery, with music, art and food galore!
It’s a real surprise to hear this festival is only in it’s second year, as they attracted some of Scotland’s award winning talent for the occasion. Unlike other festivals, Lughnasadh saw woman dominate the line up and this alone was worth celebrating. 2025 saw – Scottish Album Of The Year winner Kathryn Joseph, Mercury Prize nominee and Scottish jazz album of the year winner corto.alto and BBC Introducing Scottish Act Of The Year 2025, Becky Sikasa, Connor Liam Byrne and the bad kissers, Lacuna, Sacred paws and Free Love.
As I waited in the queue, I heard Connor Liam Byrne and The Bad Kissers strike the first chord. It rang through the air as he dedicated the opener to the Prince of Darkness in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. What followed was an echo of that famous guitar riff from Paranoid. In that moment, I knew what was to come – an unquestionable day of live music. Connor Liam Byrne and The Bad Kissers are a tight band, dressed to impress and determined to keep good ole’ rock ’n’ roll alive!
I first saw Becky Sikasa in Dundee last October, and I think my jaw must have been on the floor the whole time. She and her incredibly talented band captivated the audience; their connection on stage was undeniable, almost as if they became one. Their harmonies floated beautifully around the garden and back to the stage. Major kudos to the band for performing their set with such professionalism and grace despite some technical problems on the day – they proved exactly why they were chosen as Scottish Act of the Year.
Lacuna are a six-piece band from Glasgow, though unfortunately their saxophone player was unwell. With a slight change to their set, they still managed to win over the Newport-on-Tay crowd. I’m not quite sure how best to describe their sound, other than to say if any band on the bill represented the harvest season, it was Lacuna. Think dreamy folk with strong female vocals – as if Stevie Nicks and Nina Nesbitt had come together in the here and now. With a new EP out, they are definitely a band to watch.
Between each set on the stage we saw the Funky Gunners take turns to DJ. Spin real vinyl and keep the music loud and the good vibes flowing. Being a vinyl collector myself, it was fascinating to watch DJ’s in real time, doing it in the best way!
Sacred Paws were a band I’d heard of but hadn’t yet seen, and it’s safe to say they made new fans with that performance. A fun indie-pop band with funky, playful basslines, they gave the crowd plenty to dance along to. Having released their third album Jump into Life earlier this year, they had more than enough material to craft a lively and engaging set.
Lughnasadh is more than music, it’s art. It’s community, it’s connection with nature. Festival goers were able to make their own screen printed festival merch – how cool!
From Glastonbury Festival to Lughnasadh on the banks of the Tay, Liam Shortall brought his jazz fusion phenomenon corto.alto to the scenic grounds. This band own the stage – they exude talent, charisma, and chemistry in abundance. Liam brings his own swagger into jazz and has been winning hearts and blowing minds of audiences up and down the country. I thrive on seeing bands having a good time on stage, and this band are so locked in, so full of joy, that their energy becomes euphoric.
Closing the day in the golden hour and performed as the sun set behind the stage was Kathryn Joseph, winner of Scottish Album of the year award. Opening her set with;
Put headphones on your children, it’s about to be disgusting!
This little festival on the banks of the silvery Tay – surrounded by beautiful gardens, great food and fantastic music – was a truly wonderful, family-friendly day out. Basking in the summer sun while hearing some of Scotland’s best music is an experience I certainly cannot wait to repeat next year. What Big Rock Records, Forgan’s Arts Centre and their team pulled together was nothing short of sensational. I’m already looking forward to 2026 – I can’t wait to see who makes the line-up!
