Former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi will be rocking out with his new band at Belladrum.
Capaldi, who played the 12th doctor, will take the stage with his band at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival more than 40 years after he quit the Glasgow post-punk group The Dreamboys.
The TV star, 66, is one of the latest acts to be announced by organisers of the popular Highland music festival alongside headliners Supergrass, Tom Walker and Natasha Bedingfield.
Capaldi said: “It is forty years since I was in a band. And I haven’t spent all that time practicing. But I thought it was about time to have another go.
“Luckily I found some fine musicians who agreed to help me out. And that our little band has been asked to join Belladrum Festival is a privilege and a thrill. We can’t wait. Hope to see you there.”
The Dreamboys, originally called B***ards From Hell, featured Capaldi on vocals and Libby McArthur on backing vocals alongside Roderick Murray on guitar, as well as Robert Livsey and Temple Clark.
They released an EP called Bella Lugosi’s Birthday in the early 1980s, recorded at the Hellfire Club studio in Glasgow’s Finnieston district just as a number of well known Glasgow groups were breaking through including Orange Juice, Del Amitri and The Bluebells.
Capaldi’s Belladrum line-up gig will also follow the release of an album Sweet Illusions on the label Last Night From Glasgow in March.
The album was recorded and mixed in 2023/2024 and produced by Dr Robert of The Blow Monkeys and features “11 sophisticated and beautifully crafted pop songs, including the latest single Bin Night”.
Capaldi said: “I was delighted that when I finished this second album, LNFG chose to come on board. Some of my favourite artists are on the label.
“But it’s also a kind of a homecoming for me. If these songs have a setting, it is probably a city a lot like Glasgow.
“So it feels right, that that’s where the record is coming from. It was a pleasure to work again with Dr. Robert who produced the album with his usual wisdom and wit.
“These musical scribblings are picking up where I left off last time. Some art student, in the rain, wondering where the years went. Feeling the chaos. And sometimes putting the bins out.”
The 21st version of Scotland’s largest camping festival Belladrum will take place from July 31 – August 2.
Previously announced headliners include Texas and Paul Heaton ft. Rianne Downey. Celebrating 30 years of their debut album, I Should Coco, Supergrass will be performing the album in full, alongside a selection of their greatest hits, promising an unforgettable festival moment.
Also joining the bill, and making his Belladrum debut is Tom Walker, the BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter known for his emotional chart-topping hits Leave a Light On and Just You and I, with global streams passing over three billion and over two million album sales to date.
Natasha Bedingfield, the multi-platinum selling pop sensation behind global anthems such as Unwritten and These Words, and Irish sensation CMAT will also feature.
Adding to the festival’s ever-diverse lineup are also Scottish folk royalty Skippinish, style icon and DJ Gok Wan, singer-songwriter Gabrielle Allin, known for hits such as The Power of Love, Highland’s own breakthrough artist Katie Gregson-MacLeod, and Juno award winning Canadian folk band The East Pointers.
Example, Tide Lines, Pigeon Detectives, Karen Polwart, Beluga Lagoon, The Hosiers and Cassidy are also confirmed.
Belladrum spokesperson, Dougie Brown said. “We are proud to have pulled together another eclectic line-up with a household names and rising stars to entertain the whole family.
“We can’t wait to roll out the red carpet and welcome our wonderful Belladrum family, whether here for a sequel or making their debut appearance, we look forward to everyone playing their starring role.”
Tickets for Belladrum 2025 are on sale now from www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.
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