Musical circus rolls back into Shetland for two-day fundraiser

A MUSICAL circus which raised over £3,000 for two charities late last year is set to return.

Sleepless Circus will bring nine acts to two venues across two days in October, in aid of Mind Your Head and Eczema UK this year.

Organised by Regan Williamson, Scott and Peter Tomlinson, the event returns after a sell-out showing in 2025 and will again feature a day-time gig in the Marlex before moving to the Scalloway Boating Club.

It also comes hot on the heels of the GusFest event earlier this year, which Williamson organised in memory of his late father.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed putting on gigs, we had success last year, and again in May with GusFest, an event in memory of my dad, and we want to keep it going,” Williamson told Shetland News.

The 2026 Sleepless Circus poster.

The 2026 Sleepless Circus poster.

“There is such talent in Shetland and being able to bring together nine across two days is exciting.

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“Last year was a highlight, and we want the same this year. We want the events to stick.”

He said Sleepless Circus 2026 brings together a “brilliant mix of familiar favourites, returning acts and fresh combinations of some of Shetland’s finest musicians.”

Essykert frontman Scott Moncrieff will play the Marlex in the afternoon of Saturday 3 October, before the return of the popular High Flying Bhajis.

The free afternoon session will conclude with the debut of the Bod Rats, a new “punk-rock juggernaut” featuring Isaac Webb, Gary Smith and Jono Sandilands.

The circus then moves to Scalloway Boating Club for the ticketed evening event where The Zumba Crisis get the evening started.

Razor Heat, fresh from celebrating their first anniversary, will then follow before returning blues-rock band Black Out Fear.

Headliners No Half will bring Sleepless Circus’s main event to a “spectacular close”, Williamson said.

The weekend will then conclude with a Sunday session at the Marlex, with singer-songwriter Keirynn Topp and Shetland Phony proving stripped-down sets.

Black Out Fear frontman and organiser Scott Tomlinson said Sleepless Circus “has become our baby and an absolute highlight on the calendar”.

“Mind Your Head & Eczema UK mean so much to me that it gives me the extra incentive to make it great,” he said.

“This year we have pulled together some of my absolute favourite Shetland musicians so it should be fantastic weekend.”

This year’s event is sponsored by Streamline Shipping Group. Tickets are available here.

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