Shetland rock festival

SHETLAND is about to add a new music festival to the existing folk, jazz and blues events that take place every year.

The Buffet 2013: The Shetland Rock Festival takes place over two nights at the British Legion and Mareel in August, featuring popular local bands The Revellers, Bitumen River, Scaldin Bragg and Ten Tonne Dozer.

The organisers are also promising visiting acts, including two bands Semperfi and Akord who are lined up for Europe’s biggest rock festival Download.

Jamie Hatch explained: “Heavy Metal Buffet started out as a bit of fun between Dirk Robertson and I, sitting in his basement just recording ourselves speak about our love for rock music.

“We started out during a time when the rock scene in Shetland was on its last legs and we made a pledge to help do whatever we can to help revive it.

“The difference between the scene now and then is staggering. We’ve put on three huge sell out events, and I’ve recorded EPs for local bands Christ Alive and Hoygir, with Dirk drawing artwork for both bands.”

Hatch said there were so many new rock bands emerging in Shetland that they could not squeeze them all on the bill.

“The Buffet 2013: The Shetland Rock Festival is a celebration of how far our little scene has grown,” he said.

“We’re so excited to show people some of the best bands that shetland music has to offer.”

Festival tickets are on sale now via www.shetlandboxoffice.com, with discounts available until 1 July.