Miles Hunt & Erika Nockalls

Back in the late 80s/early 90s, The Attic was the best place on the planet. Above the King’s Arms, it was Irvine’s ‘anti disco’. Not for The Attic the thudding sounds of chart-orientated dance music. Instead, The Attic focused on indie music and sound-tracked many a weekend for a whole generation of live music-loving Irvinites. One of the most popular bands regularly played was The Wonderstuff, who themselves made a beeline for Irvine in August 1992 and played a memorable big show at The Magnum.

It’s a great honour therefore to say we’re delighted to be bringing main ‘Stuffie Miles Hunt back to Irvine, a mere 25 years later.  Miles will appear at the HAC on September 8^th accompanied by violinist Erica Nockalls. Essentially they’re touring in support of their upcoming third album, although Miles has promised to dust off some of his old classics for the gig.

“The plan,” explained Miles, “is for us to play the newer material in the earlier part of our set and work towards the better-known songs by the end of the evening. It would be churlish not to, right?”

So, if you fancy hearing what Miles has been up to in the years since his Wonderstuff glory days as well as some of your old Wonderstuff favourites in a unique and intimate venue, you’d better get your skates on and get a ticket quick. We’re expecting this one to sell out quickly, so Go! Go! Go! Tickets are here!

Yorkston, Drever and Withered Hand

James Yorkston, Kris Drever and Withered Hand

Now, this'll be a gig 'n a half! Three raconteurs with a splendid back catalogue of alternative folk/acoustic indie will play as a songwriters' circle, sharing the stage and playing on one another's songs throughout. It's a unique concept and follows on from James and Withered's show at the HAC in January 2016 when they performed a similar show with Pictish Trail. This time round, the aclaimed Kris Drever completes the trio. It's bound to be another cracker....and another sell-out.

Act fast - tickets on sale now, via here.

Peter Bruntnell Trio

Peter Bruntnell might not be a household name but don’t let that discourage you from taking a chance on what is sure to be another quality-filled Freckfest night. We’ve a reputation for bringing the very best musicians to Irvine and Peter is another who fits that billing. From Devon, he’s a real musicians’ musician, revered by artists such as REM’s Peter Buck and alt. country godfather Jay Farrar of Son Volt/Uncle Tupelo fame.

The Peter Bruntnell Trio features Danny Williams (ex- Black Grape and St. Etienne) on double bass and Iain Sloan (of The Wynntown Marshals and Blue Rose Code)  on pedal steel. They've recently recorded a session for Ricky Ross’s ‘Another Country’ show on BBC Radio Scotland and played jam-packed gigs in venues the length and breadth of Britain. If you had to pigeonhole Peter, you might label him ‘Americana’ or ‘country-tinged rock’. Certainly, fans of artists such as Neil Young, Wilco and Teenage Fanclub will enjoy the cut of his twangin’ jib.

Tickets available here.

Blue Rose Code

Blue Rose Code

Ross Wilson, Blue Rose Code's main man and focal point loved their show at the HAC in November 2016 so much that the last notes of the encore had barely faded away before we had our diaries out to book a return visit. Amazingly, tantalisingly, this November will see Blue Rose Code return for not one, but two nights.

Currently the hippest, hottest name to drop on the alternative folk scene, Blue Rose Code have recently sold out the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh and are regularly name-checked by everyone who's anyone as THE act to look out for in 2017. Do yourself a favour and get along to one (or both) of the nights - you can thank us later.

Friday 24th November available here.

Saturday 25th November available here.