The Cobalts have been making waves since becoming a regular feature on the local live circuit two years ago, playing at the likes of Tolbooth, the Albert Halls and at the recent Christmas Lights Switch On.
But the four-piece know nothing will compare to taking to the stage at the Stirling Castle Esplanade as part of an exciting line-up of live music at both of the city’s Hogmanay events.
UPDATE: The midnight event at Stirling Hogmanay has now sold out, but tickets are still on sale for the earlier family event.
Harry Kemp (17) and Seamus Dailly (17) founded the group two years ago when they were 15, but they became a four-piece just over 12 months ago when they were joined by Seamus’ brother Oscar on bass and drummer Jack Belardo.
Seamus said: “A wee while ago, we played the Albert Halls in Stirling which was really great and we didn’t think we could go bigger but now we are playing Stirling Castle, the biggest place to gig in Stirling, which is amazing.
“We were playing at the Albert Halls and I was just picking up tickets and I bumped into Kenny Bates, Music Development Officer from the Tolbooth, and when he told me I was freaking out! I told my parents and they started laughing. Everyone I have spoken to has been saying well done and congratulating us on getting that kind of gig. There will be a lot of people coming to show their support.”
Harry said: “To play at such a big event and in front of so many people is really exciting. Previously it has all been indoor gigs so this will be the first time we will play outside and in front of such a big crowd– so no pressure!
“When you tell people you are in a band, they say that’s nice but when you say we are playing Stirling Castle at Hogmanay, it makes it a bit more real.”
Harry hails from Denny but has strong family connections to Stirling, while Seamus is from Dunblane and a former pupil of Dunblane High. The pair met and became friends at the Tolbooth’s various songwriting workshops, including U18s gig night City Music Live.
Harry said: “We met at a Pump Up The Jam event at the Tolbooth, a programme where you meet other musicians, write songs for eight weeks and record at the end of it and have a gig. We became friends at that as we also had the same music taste so we started writing songs together and playing in restaurants and places like that."
Seamus said: “We were both into the Beatles. That was the starting point and we tried to write songs like that – short and catchy - and then we discovered new music together. For instance, I got into David Bowie and Harry has been getting into the Velvet Underground so it’s grown quite a bit since we started.
“We owe a lot of thanks to Kenny at the Tolbooth in helping us get gigs and giving us advice.”
Revellers watching The Cobalts at the Hogmanay celebrations can expect to be served up a mix of the ’60s and ’70s-inspired covers along with a selection of original material.
And Harry, who is still in 6th year at school, and Seamus hope performing at such a major event can be the launching pad for bigger things in 2019.
Harry said: “Hopefully people enjoy our music and we can build up a greater following. It will be really helpful to play such a big event and we will be aiming to have some music on our Facebook that people can go back and listen to afterwards. It’s a big opportunity for us.”
Seamus: “At an event like that, it’s important to play a few covers as people are going along to enjoy themselves and they want to hear songs they know, but we will play some of our original ones as well.
“We are most excited about the reaction we will get from it. Hopefully, people will go on our social media and listen to us more. It’s just fantastic to play a gig like this with so many people there. The best part about playing a gig is hearing people enjoy it and cheering you on and we will feed off the audience.”
For information on the Cobalts, visit:
Facebook: @thecobalts
Instagram: @thecobalts