Atlantic Edge Music Services

Matt Cardle in Shetland

November 9, 2011

2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle recently performed two sell-out shows in Lerwick's Clickimin Centre with his new band as part of a short Highland & Islands tour, which preceeded the release of his new single 'Run for your Life' and debut album album 'Letters' - which entered the charts at No 2 on it's release in mid October.

The Clickimin Centre was packed to bursting point with fans of all ages on both evenings (1250 people each night) as Cardle and his four piece band suprised many with a short set of a fairly rocky nature - with some likening the sound to Coldplay or a more commercial 'Radiohead'.

"It's great to play places like Shetland" Cardle said after the show. "It's been pretty crazy since I won X Factor, so gigs like these give me a chance to go back to my roots a bit and play live with a band - as I was used to doing before. It's just all a bit bigger and crazier now that's all. The fans are great here. I'm amazed that around 12% of the whole Shetland population attended these show's - Im very humbled and priviledged by it all. Hopefully I'll be able to come back again in the future".

The Shetland show was promoted by 'Beyond' from Inverness in association with Atlantic Edge Music Services in Shetland.

The first show sold out in around 45 minutes with the second show being added to meet the quite incredible demand for tickets.

Davie Gardner of Atlantic Edge Music said "It was a real priviledge for me to do these shows with Matt, who's a lovely modest guy and a real gent, and I can only thank him and his management for undertaking such a long trip to do this for us. The Shetland audiences were great as he said. It was especially terrific to see so many folk of all ages attending the one event - especially the really young folk, many of whom were attending their very first gig ever. They behaved brilliantly and did themselves, their parents and indeed Shetland proud. 

Support on both evenings came from local singer / songwriter Malachy Tallack - who appeared to make a lot of new fans among the young members of the audience during the two events.

All photos Davie Gardner