Border Telegraph | News | 'Saw' looking forward to playing in Borders

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 1st March, 2006 09:58

'Saw' looking forward to playing in Borders

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

Print Article

THE SAW DOCTORS are going online to find their way to Galashiels.

Ireland’s festival favourites are headlining the Sunday of this year’s inaugural Big Weekend Out at Netherdale.

And despite having played at venues all over the world, they’re not quite sure how to get to the Scottish Borders – or what to expect when they get here.

The Border Telegraph caught up with The Saw Doctors in Dublin on Sunday before they fly out to Milwaukee to begin their American tour.

Guitarist and singer Leo Moran told us: “We don’t really know all that much about the Scottish Borders, but we are all looking forward to finding out what we’re missing. We’ve yet to find a part of Scotland we don’t like.

“I’ll be checking the websites for the area, including your Border Telegraph one, to see what we can expect. We’re certainly looking forward to coming for the weekend.

“From the first time we played in Scotland, supporting the Waterboys in 1989, we’ve had an affinity with the Scottish audiences – we just seemed to click with each other and enjoy each other’s company.

“We love to hear you Scots singing back the words in your accents.”

The Saw Doctors try to play in Scotland at least once a year – and have been known to sell out the Barrowlands within a couple of hours.

Despite never making a huge impact on the charts in the UK, they are still the popular choice for festival promoters up and down the country.

Leo revealed why. He added: “In all our years playing, only one person has come up to us and said he preferred our albums to the gig.

“Whatever it is for the live show, it seems to work for us. The songs are simple and easily caught on to, I suppose, and it's a recipe that works, thankfully, and we enjoy its working very much.”

The Saw Doctors new album, The Cure, was released last month.

Sunday’s line up at the Big Weekend Out is a Celtic concoction to get the feet tapping.

Supporting the Saw Doctors are Scotland’s traditional rockers Shooglenifty, and local group the Border Boogie Band.

Deacon Blue head up Saturday’s line-up with This R 2 Tone, The Counterfeit Beatles, Scocha and Omniblob in support.

Festival promoter Andy Darling said: “We are delighted with the bands we have managed to attract to Netherdale. We are confident both days will be sell-outs.”

Tickets, which go on sale next week, are priced at £28 for the Saturday and Sunday is £25, with weekend passes at £45.

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