MUSSELBURGH singer-songwriter Callum Beattie has announced a surprise Scottish tour to thank fans after the biggest year of his career so far.
The artist, who has headlined venues including Edinburgh Castle, the OVO Hydro and Queens Park in the last 12 months, will return to more intimate venues across Scotland to close out the year with a special run of shows.
Callum said: "This is really a thank you to the fans because we owe everything to them.
"They have made dreams come true for my manager Dave and I time and time again – the Hydro, the Castle, Bella, the album success.
"It’s been the biggest and best year we could ever have dreamed of.
"It’s been incredible playing these huge shows, but it feels really special for all of us to go back to some of the places around Scotland that helped us get to this level.
"More intimate shows bring a different buzz and intensity, so it just feels like the perfect way to show our love and appreciation for fans all over the country."
The tour will begin at the Edinburgh Playhouse on November 26, followed by stops in Oban, Dunfermline, Troon, Dunoon, Strathpeffer, Aberdeen and Perth.
He will close out the tour with three shows at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowland on December 18 and 19, including a matinee on the final day.
As a special twist, fans attending the Edinburgh and first Glasgow shows will get to choose the entire setlist, selecting songs from his full back catalogue.
Callum said: "This is a mad idea Dave came up with and roped me into – and he is insisting that everything is up for grabs, including a couple I really don’t like performing.
"I suppose that is what makes this fun and a bit special – I’m just the human jukebox for the night and it’s all about what the fans want me to play.
"I won’t say what the songs I don’t want to play are, or they’ll definitely be chosen!
"But I really like the idea now I’ve got my head around it.
"It’ll be fun and also gives us a real insight into what fans feel about the usual setlists too."
Supporting Callum on the tour will be Pistol Daisys, a band with close ties to his team.
He said: "These guys are phenomenal – really special.
"They’ve been a big part of this last year, Lorna and Lewis play with us as part of our band at the big shows.
"So we had to have them with us, playing as themselves and joining our show too.
"They really have something unique and I want more fans to see that and get on board.
"Lewis works in the studio with us and does a lot with Dave, so it felt really natural as the partnership grew to involve them in the live set-up – it’s been crazy good."
The tour comes after the release of Callum’s first fully independent album, INDI, which reached number four on the UK album charts, topped the charts in Scotland and drew massive streaming numbers.
The album also inspired a charity foundation that Callum and his manager Dave are currently developing.
Despite his recent success, Callum remains focused on the fans and the experience of performing live.
He said: "It’s been the best gigging year of my life – the best year in music of my life.
"It’s been the best year overall.
"Truly bucket list stuff with these massive landmark moments at the most iconic venues.
"Incredible for a wee guy from Musselburgh.
"But there’s nothing like the intimacy of the smaller rooms.
"The energy is different and I am excited to share that with you all again.
"Business stuff says this tour doesn’t make sense, but that’s not what it’s about – it’s for fun, and the sheer love of our fans and what they have helped us achieve.
"I can’t think of a better way to end this amazing year than with the people who made it happen."
Tickets for the tour are now on sale.
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