Getting to share a stage with some of the biggest pop acts in a generation is something most people only get to do in their dreams.

But for one Barrhead musician, that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is about to come true.

Duncan McGregor, who plays acoustic guitar in pop-rock group SIANAR, will perform at ScotFest, at the Royal Highland Centre, near Edinburgh, later this month, alongside his bandmates.

And some of the most famous groups in music history, including Boyzone and The Jacksons, will be on the same bill.

SIANAR – whose name is taken from the Gaelic for ‘six components’, referencing the number of permanent members – has led a relatively short life.

Duncan, 21, was introduced to the rest of the band just 18 months ago, when a Facebook ad seeking fellow musicians was put out by lead guitarist Kristian Clezy.

Since then, SIANAR, who have been playfully described by their fans as ‘The Killers meets Bon Jovi’, have released a four-track EP, made a music video that has received over 50,000 YouTube views and will now receive their widest exposure yet in front of thousands of people at ScotFest.

The band is being handed its big break after entering a contest organised by Glasgow Live and judged by musicians Edele, of B*Witched, and Jackie Jackson, of the famous pop clan, which pitted them against other up-and-coming Scottish artists.

After rallying support from friends, relatives and fans during a subsequent public vote, SIANAR were declared the winners.

Duncan told the Barrhead News: “When we were told that we’d won, they said we blew the vote right out of the park.

“It’s going to be such an amazing experience and everything we’ve been told by the organisers and promoters sounds so promising.

“The band who were in our spot last year have gone on to much bigger things and we’re hoping people react to us in the same way.”

Despite their short existence, SIANAR have performed at some of the most iconic music venues in Scotland, including Glasgow’s King Tut’s.

Duncan added: “We’ve never played anything like this scale before.
“We’re super excited of course, but there are some nerves too. We’re a well-rehearsed band, so I know it’ll all go well on the night.”

The band, which also includes Gavin Mills on rhythm guitar, Crawford Dow on bass, drummer Martin Wardlaw and singer James Mckay, with the help of occasional backing singer Emmanuelle Garbada, may be ready to hit the heights at ScotFest, but Duncan remains true to his Barrhead roots.

“Music has always been a part of my life,” he said. “I went to school here, to Cross Arthurlie Primary and Barrhead High, and that really helped me grow as a musician.

“On the outskirts of Barrhead, where there are fields and hills and the surroundings are nice and even the different kinds of people you interact with, good and bad – it all really inspires you musically.”

With new single Let Me Be the One recently released, SIANAR will be hoping they will gain a whole new set of fans when they play ScotFest on the weekend of July 6 and 7.

For more information about the band, visit www.sianarofficial.com.
To buy ScotFest tickets, visit www.scotfestuk.com/tickets.