Scotland on Tour: Constant Follower

Constant Follower’s drifting, heart-rending sound is a dreamlike reflection of frontman McAll’s own life. Growing up in Glasgow, McAll was randomly attacked on his way home from his girlfriend’s house one evening near his 17th birthday. The catastrophic head injuries left him partially paralysed, unable to write or play guitar, and with all of his childhood memories up until that point gone. He spent the next decade on Scotland’s windswept West Coast, recovering, and gradually re-learning how to play guitar. He began reading the poetry of Norman MacCaig, as it was the only prose he could follow, and eventually the songs that make up his stunning debut began to emerge. The writing on the album breathes the salt spray, and the gentle beauty of the Scottish expanse.

The critically acclaimed work has featured on 17 ‘Best Albums of 2021’ lists so far. A triumph after tragedy, in some ways.

Constant Follower frontman McAll said: "I don’t remember my childhood, but my mum took lots of photographs. I look so happy in the pictures of us at the Wallace Monument. I see how magical it is for my own children – the building, the mythology, the huge sword – and can only think it must have been the same for me. I see it every day when I open my curtains and wondered what it would be like to play up in the crown overlooking the city, and why no one had done it already. So it was a great surprise and an honour when Stirling Council made it happen. To be able to play while stretching our eyes over this beautiful landscape… sometimes it was hard to sing for the lump in my throat."

“A gorgeous listen, full of bucolic melody and personal revelation, an album unafraid to speak its truth.” CLASH Magazine

“Instantly compelling, memorable and moving” Folk Radio UK

“Neither is, nor ever was is a gentle, understated, fully formed and utterly beguiling collection.” The Scotsman

“An intimate and raw collection of songwriting, borne from small, personal moments and orchestrated into stirring layered beauty.” Under The Radar

"Gorgeous atmospheric Folk" KEXP

With support by

Andy Aquarius

All performances are seated unless stated otherwise.

Andy Aquarius is a sonic alchemist and devotee of mystical folklore. Being a multi-instrumentalist and exploring a wide range of genres, he laid out the path ahead with his debut album 'Chapel', which only features his Celtic harp and voice.

The record takes you on a 'transcendental journey through the outer realms of ambient, classical, new age, and folk music.' Alex Ruder, Hush Hush/KEXP.

Andy's live performances are of a peaceful simplicity and thick atmosphere, putting all the intent towards a sincere delivery of his bucolic canticles and meandering instrumentals.