Wednesday March 12th 2025
Rachel Sermanni, a Scottish based singer/songwriter.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
The Brunton and Haddstock are partnering to produce a series of concerts at The Brunton’s base at the Corn Exchange in Haddington, with the aim of bringing a high calibre, interesting and eclectic showcase of artists and bands to East Lothian.
Following the success of their partnership in 2024 to host Karine Polwart and Gaze is Ghost as part of Haddstock Festival, the team have curated a lineup designed to appeal to existing attenders whilst also drawing a wider range of people to Haddington, to expand the audience base for both Haddstock and The Brunton’s programmes.
The concerts:
– Saturday 7 June 2025: Rachel Sermanni supported by Wayward Jane
– Saturday 4 October 2025: Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand supported by Meursault
– Saturday 21 February 2026: Bombskare supported by a special guest
Each concert will open with a band from the East Lothian secondary schools Battle of The Bands Event 2025. This has become an extraordinarily popular event in East Lothian’s youth music calendar, providing an essential platform for emerging talent. The year’s Battle of the Bands will take place in spring 2025.
Battle of The Bands is an ELJam (East Lothian Youth Music Forum) project, in partnership with Haddington Bridge Centre. ELJam is managed by East Lothian Council’s Arts Service and supports, promotes and develops music activity across East Lothian for young people aged 25 and under.
Kirsty Somerville, General Manager of The Brunton said:
“Brunton Theatre Trust operates the Corn Exchange as The Brunton’s venue in Haddington. This much loved, historic building in the heart of Haddington, has a long history of hosting live bands. We have invested in a professional sound and lighting system supported by The Brunton’s technical and customer service teams, to allow us to offer an exceptional concert experience. Partnerships are at the heart of our ethos, and we are delighted to have devised this series with Haddstock, to bring such an outstanding lineup to East Lothian.”
Directors of Haddstock said:
“We’re excited to be partnering with The Brunton to host these fantastic artists. In the absence of producing our annual Haddstock Festival in May, this series of concerts represents a superb way to continue our commitment to bringing a variety of high calibre music to Haddington where established artists perform alongside local youth musicians. Funds raised from the events will be used to stage a future Haddstock Festival.”
Tickets for all concerts will be available from The Brunton at www.thebrunton.co.uk / 0131 653 5245.
The artists
Rachel Sermanni
A Scottish based singer/songwriter, brims with dreamy indie-folk pop that speaks of the struggle and desire to flow, to love, to live, to feel.
Rachel’s most recent offering is her 4th studio album, Dreamer Awake. An in-depth assortment of playful and candid vignettes, peeping into life – after birth, after separation and in the wake of recognising the internalised conditionings of patriarchy. She seeks to be honest with herself and her environment. She seeks to express from this raw place. She seeks to speak from the descent, the plateaus, the dream-catching and contemplations of womanhood. There are no conclusions to be drawn. It is a call to arms, of sorts, to wake up and dream the future, to dismiss the external for a minute and tend to the inner landscape of heart and mind. To not be distracted. To focus on the light and the shadow in equal measure.
Wayward Jane
Wayward Jane’s music is a modern interpretation of American folk and Old Time traditions, blending roots music with fresh arrangements and original songs. Their rich sound features fiddle, clawhammer banjo, double bass, guitar, wooden flute and close vocal harmonies.
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand
Prolific singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams and recently reinvigorated troubadour Dan Willson (aka Withered Hand) collaborated to produce the album, Willson Williams, that was shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards 2024.
Willson Williams witnesses the meeting of two likeminded musicians who’ve built their successful, independent careers on inventive folk instrumentation, reflective and sincere lyricism, and not a small amount of self-deprecation. Their modest confessionals, written poetically and over nostalgic and atmospheric melodies, are as relatable as ever, and together they find new ways to unpack their feelings.
www.kathrynwilliams.co.uk and www.witheredhand.com
Meursault
From scratchy, electronic beginnings to string laden torch songs and pounding alt rock, Meursault has defied categorisation from the moment the project was conceived in 2008, whether performing solo or as a group. Despite this, the distinct voice of East Lothian based Neil Pennycook and the unique playing of his collaborators never seem to stray too far from what is always immediately recognisable as the Meursault sound. Critically acclaimed and a regular fixture on many an end of year list, Meursault is a live act not to be missed or soon forgotten.
Bombskare
Bombskare is Scotland’s premier ska juggernaut, renowned for their high-octane performances, crackerjack timing and impeccable dress sense. One of the tightest live bands in the UK, Bombskare has been delivering infectious, energy-packed ska for a quarter of a century. Blending classic Jamaican ska beats with punk, rock, and a twisted dose of dark humour, they’ve been a staple on the UK festival circuit for decades.
Tweet Share on Facebook
