John McCusker *
This gig has been cancelled. Customers will be contacted regarding refunds.
“One of the UK’s most gifted and versatile musicians in any genre, John McCusker is equally in
demand as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer”.
The Guardian
In celebration of his 30th Anniversary as a professional musician, John McCusker will
release ‘A Best Of’ album in 2021 featuring tracks from his solo records and TV & Film
Soundtracks over the last 30 years. John will also publish a book of his tunes ‘The
Collection’ featuring 100 original compositions. There will also be a brand new solo
album released to coincide with the UK Tour.
The John McCusker Band, featuring some of
the finest traditional musicians that John has worked with over the last 30 years, will
embark on an extensive UK tour in September/October 2021.
In celebration of his 25th Anniversary John McCusker released ‘Hello, Goodbye’ on April 29th
2016 and embarked on a UK & European tour. A wonderfully evocative set of compositions,
‘Hello, Goodbye’ was composed while John was on a world tour with Mark Knopfler & featured
an all-star cast of handpicked musicians with whom John has been fortunate to work with over
the past 25 years & was John’s first solo album in thirteen years, the first on his new record
label Under One Sky Records and the first recorded in his state of the art studio, built over 2
years in a bothy dating from 1779. Designed by legendary record producer and studio designer
Calum Malcolm, the new studio is a winning combination of the traditional and the new, much
like John’s music itself!
Born in Bellshill, near Glasgow, John began playing whistle and fiddle as a child and joined the
legendary folk outfit Battlefield Band aged 17. During his 11 years with the band, he also
released his first two solo recordings, 1995’s self-titled debut and 2000’s Yella Hoose. His most
recent albums include Under One Sky and the reissues of Yella Hoose and Goodnight Ginger remastered
deluxe.
John has long been renowned for his skill at transcending musical boundaries: striving to keep
his music fresh and exciting, never leaving the past behind but always embracing new sonic
adventures. As a live and studio guest he has shared stages with David Gilmour, Paul Weller,
Paolo Nutini, Teenage Fanclub, The Proclaimers, Graham Coxon, Ocean Colour Scene,
Idlewild, Eddi Reader, Julie Fowlis, Vicente Amigo, Nolwenn Leroy, Jerry Douglas…
Since
2008, he has been a member of Mark Knopfler's band, playing arenas around the world including
a double bill with Bob Dylan at The Hollywood Bowl & 20 nights at the Royal Albert Hall.
An expanding portfolio as a producer features debut albums by Kris Drever and Idlewild’s Roddy
Woomble. He’s also manned the controls for top folk chanteuses Eddi Reader, Kate Rusby,
Heidi Talbot, Eliza Carthy and Linda Thompson.
Film and TV work includes soundtracks for the
movie Heartlands (2002) and 16 Years of Alcohol (2003), Billy Connolly’s World Tour of New
Zealand (2004), Jennifer Saunders BBC sitcom Jam and Jerusalem (2008) & Starlings sitcom for
Sky TV (2012).
John was awarded the coveted BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year in 2003 and also The Spirit of
Scotland Award for music in 1999 and again in 2009. 2016 saw John receive the Good Tradition
Award and perform with his band at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at The Royal Albert Hall. In 2019 John
received the Outstanding Music Performance at The Scottish Culture Awards.
The John McCusker Band will feature Ian Carr, Sam Kelly, Helen McCabe & Toby Shaer.
Tickets £16 / £15 concessions.
Buy tickets
Doors open 7.45pm.
