36^th PERTH FESTIVAL

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On the music front The Waterboys, John Martyn and The Magic Numbers form this year’s line-up, following in the footsteps of the memorable concert by Van Morrison in 2006.

The Magic Numbers are a four-piece band: two pairs of brother and sister. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their critically acclaimed debut album The Magic Numbers in 2005. Their follow-up album, Those the Brokes was released in November, 2006. This is A Song, taken from that album, came out as a single in February.

Following an unforgettable recent performance of his legendary 1973 album Solid Air to a sell-out audience at the Barbican Centre in London, John Martyn decided to take this acclaimed show on the road for a very special UK tour. The Festival is pleased to host his northernmost performance.

Led by mercurial Scottish singer-guitarist Mike Scott, the Waterboys are one of the most fascinating and unpredictable bands the British Isles has produced. A mighty musical train, powered by the twin fuels of rock 'n' roll and Celtic soul, the Waterboys have consistently challenged critics and audiences alike, busting musical boundaries and creating a mother lode of cracking music along the way.

In recent years the Festival has focused its attention on higher profile artists. This has been made possible through the generous assistance of the Festival sponsors and supporting bodies, most notably The Gannochy Trust, Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Arts Council. The financial and other help of local businesses has also paid a central role in helping the Festival develop its ambitions; as has been the growing support of trusts and foundations. The Festival provides an excellent opportunity for companies to entertain clients at world-class events in and (on occasion) around Perth. The Festival has developed a variety of sponsorship packages starting at £100; it can, for example, offer in return complimentary tickets, priority booking, branding and sampling at selected events.

Festival audiences are now coming from all over the UK and abroad. In the last three years the Festival has seen a huge increase in ticket sales year on year. The 2006 Festival had a 29% increase over 2005, which in turn was marked by a 40% increase over 2004, which was itself marked by a further 40% increase over 2003. These larger audiences coincide with the Festival’s ambitious policy of booking high profile artists. In recent years these have included Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett, Ann Sofie Von Otter, Ladysmith Black Mambaso, Van Morrison, Elaine Paige, John Williams, Paul Merton, Sir David Frost, Jools Holland, Bill Wyman, Joan Armatrading, the Stranglers, The Reduced Shakespeare Company, Ian Rankin and many more. A full list appears on the Festival website. www.perthfestival.co.uk.

The opening of Perth Concert Hall in September 2005 has had a huge positive impact on the cultural life of Perth and has provided state of the art facilities for both artists and audiences alike, and made possible imaginative programming all year round. The Hall is a great asset to Perth and especially to the Festival. The artists performing at the 2006 Festival were most impressed with the facilities available there. There is no doubt that Perth is being noticed around the world as a vibrant cultural centre, and Perth Festival of the Arts is delighted to be one of the flagships of the city’s widening cultural programme.

The full 2007 line-up includes

Bryn Terfel & The Scottish Chamber Orchestra. 
The Czech National Symphony Orchestra & Chloe Hanslip†(violin) 
English Touring Opera Seraglio & Eugene Onegin 
The Kopelman Quartet 
Paul Lewis (piano)
The Sixteen
Welsh Ballet Coppelia
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra

The Magic Numbers
John Martyn†
The Waterboys
Julian Clary
Hannah Gordon
Benjamin Zephaniah
Stuart Cosgrove & Tam Cowan
Sandi Toksvig & Bonnie Langford
The McCalmans
Sheena Wellington & David Purdie
Fraser Campbell late night jazz

Clown Show for Primary Schools
Perth Youth Orchestra
Lunchtime School Concerts
Festival Art Exhibition - Sir David Young Cameron & Derrick Guild

The Festival Box Offices at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre are now open for telephone bookings on 0845 612 6330, and to personal callers . You can also book online at www.perthfestival.co.uk.