Hillfest Welcomes Marillion's Fish

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THE countdown is on to the annual “Craigie Hillfest” and the organisers have certainly reeled in a big name to headline Saturday’s bill. As the front man of eighties chart toppers Marillion – think “Kaleigh”, “Incommunicado” and “Lavender,” - vocalist Fish would take massive festivals across Europe in his considerable stride.

So Perth’s well-received boutique festival, coming hard on the heels of rare 2019 ventures to events in Germany and Poland, won’t have him suffering palpitations. But, as local journalist Gordon Bannerman discovered, the Kilmac-sponsored gathering is definitely one the Dalkeith-born singer and his band are up for.

GALLERY

“We played with Jethro Tull in Bonn earlier in the month and had another festival in Warsaw. But the Perth date is the only one in the UK this year,” Fish explained.

“The band are well-versed in festivals so we have a well-honed set for Hillfest. We have a tour lined-up for March next year. Those will be the only UK dates in 2020 and the following year will be the big farewell tour. That’s when we call it quits.”

Most of the year has been taken up addressing challenges on the home front - which have included two worrying battles with Sepsis – and applying the finishing touches to the “Weltschmerz” album with co-writer Steve Vantsis, which is down for a release in the New Year.

Fish, now 61, revealed his early musical influences were honed in Perthshire, during family holidays at Crieff Hydro.

“I used to go to the Crieff Hydro every year with my mum, dad and sister. I was there every October as a teenager. You couldn’t get a drink back then. I never brought a carry out into my room at all! And I never ever went up the tennis courts drinking lager with my mates. That wasn’t me!” he laughed.

“There was a wee record shop in Crieff and I remember buying albums and eight tracks, the likes of the Peter Gabriel era Genesis albums and The Who’s Quadrophenia. We’d head back to the Hydro and we’d found a snooker room that no one ever went to. So we’d set-up a record player and play a bit of snooker.”

There was a wee record shop in Crieff and I remember buying albums and eight tracks, the likes of the Peter Gabriel era Genesis albums and The Who’s QuadropheniaSubsequent adventures in the crazy world of rock ‘n roll have taken him further afield. Fish long ago lost count of the number of countries he’s visited in the heyday of Marillion or during a success-strewn solo career.

“We’ve a strong following in countries like Germany. We were out on the road for two months last year. But it’s getting harder on a physical level. We aren’t getting any younger,” he admitted.

“Venues are chokka because every man and his dog is out playing live trying to earn a crust. And the gig budget is getting eaten up by forking out big bucks for bands like Fleetwood Mac and Roger Walters. It might be the last chance to see them. I have been touring constantly for 35 years, never a year without gigs.

“Last year the kids in the crew would be saying let’s go and find a bar. Did I really want to walk up a cobbled street for 20 minutes to have a few pints? I’d been in the town 10 times down the years so I left them to it while I stayed at the hotel with Netflicks!”

In the Marillion days, singles soared up the eighties charts, while his solo work has also enjoyed top 10 success. Classic Rock listed him among their top 50 all-time greatest front men.

So what brings Fish to this part of the world?

He said: “I was contacted by Pauline Harrier at Hillfest out of the blue and the timing was right. I hadn’t done a festival in Scotland since Dalkeith in 2015. I had my band together anyway so it was easy to slot in the Perth date. We are all looking forward to it. It’s the first time I have played in Perth since a gig at the beautiful old theatre on the Fish Heads tour. We sold it out. I think that was eight years back. I’d love to play the Concert Hall. I saw John Martyn there and it is impressive. It’s maybe a bit big for us, unless there’s a demand on the farewell tour.”

The bill also features The Rude Boys, The New Madrids, The Carloways, The Sandemans, The Irritable Owls and a string of up and coming bands.Hillfest promoter Pauline said: “It’s quite a coup getting Fish and his band to headline the 2019 festival.

“Advance ticket sales have hit record levels and that is hardly surprising given a bill which also features The Rude Boys, The New Madrids, The Carloways, The Sandemans, The Irritable Owls and a string of up and coming bands.

“It is a real family orientated event. There will be a face-painting for kids, a drinks marquee, the return of Ruby the Camper Van, a BBQ and clubhouse restaurant food.”

Doors open at 1pm on August 31 and a string of bands are on the bill, including the Rude Boys. Day tickets priced £30 are available at ticketweb.co.uk under Craigie Hill Festival and at the door. Under 14s are not being charged.

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