![\"Screen-Shot-2015-06-06-at-17.19.12\"](\"http:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/handsupfortrad\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/9\/files\/2015\/06\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-06-at-17.19.12-300x129.png\")
I have finally had time to reflect on what was a wonderful and very memorable week of performances with the BBC!<\/p>\nI have finally had time to reflect on what was a wonderful and very memorable week of performances with the BBC!<\/p>\n
Starting on Wednesday the 3rd of June, Top Floor Taivers were invited to perform for BBC at the Quay \u2013 a five day pop-up festival taking place at BBC Pacific Quay in Glasgow, on a custom built outdoor stage. The day started with a rather chilly sound check, then Tina and I had an interview with Linda Macleod for BBC Alba. The chilly breeze calmed down for the gig at night, and we were even lucky enough to play against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset! Other artists performing on the night were Daimh, Finlay MacDonald, Rura, and Maeve Mackinnon. The night was filmed for BBC Alba, as is temporarily available to watch on the iPlayer: http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episode\/b05xgg9m\/ceol-air-abhainn-chluaidh<\/a><\/p>\n On Friday the 5th June, I had one of THE best nights of my life \u2013 and certainly a highlight of my career so far! I was invited to perform for BBC Music Day\u2019s closing Gala concert at Glasgow\u2019s City Halls. I sang two songs: \u2018The Posie\u2019, which was written by Robert Burns to my own melody, and \u2018Let Ramensky Go\u2019, which I performed with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra. You can listen to this one via my soundcloud page: https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/claire-hastings-3\/let-ramensky-go-with-the-bbc-sso<\/a><\/p>\n It is an incredible experience singing with an orchestra, but also very nerve-wracking! We had a short rehearsal of the song the day before, and I felt incredibly shy in front of everyone. Particularly as Deacon Blue were watching me ahead of their own rehearsal! I was terrified my mind would get distracted and I would forget the words, but luckily it all went smoothly on the night. I was performing alongside a dream line up spanning several musical genres including Lulu, Jamie Cullum, Noah Stewart, Jaz Dhami, Catrin Finch, Jack Liebeck and the aforementioned Deacon Blue. The climax of the evening was when we all performed \u2018God Only Knows\u2019 by the Beach Boys together at the end with the orchestra. If someone had told me last year that I would be singing a song with Lulu and Jamie Cullum, I would never have believed it! The concert was hosted by BBC Radio 2\u2019s Ken Bruce and Katie Derham, and broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio Scotland and was available to view on the red button. It is still available for a short time on the iPlayer: http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episode\/b05xhzcy\/bbc-music-day-2015-bbc-music-day-gala-concert<\/a><\/p>\n What made the experience even better was that everyone was so easy to get along with, and there were no big egos (which you might expect). Everyone (except Lulu) went for a few drinks after the concert, and we were all in for a treat when tenor Noah Stewart stepped behind the bar to give us all one last song \u2013 which brought the night to a spectacular end. Luckily I hadn\u2019t celebrated too heavily the night before, as it was an early start on Saturday to prepare for a guest spot on BBC Radio Scotland\u2019s Take the Floor with Robbie Shepherd. It was a special family ceilidh held at BBC Pacific Quay, and piper Lorne MacDougall and I were the guest artists. I sang with Jenn Butterworth on guitar and Robert Menzies on accordion. All of us come from Dumfries and Galloway, and Robert and I used to go to school together! We haven\u2019t played together for a number of years, so it was lovely doing the gig with him. Jenn and I have a few gigs lined up for the rest of the year, and I am looking forward to doing more with her. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, and it was great to finally meet Robbie Shepherd in the flesh! A true gentleman, and a real character. You can listen again for a short time on the iPlayer: http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/b05xrzm7<\/a><\/p>\n I think it\u2019s going to be a while before I have another week quite like this one!<\/p>\n Keep up to date with upcoming gigs and news by subscribing to my mailing list: http:\/\/eepurl.com\/boF7_D<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThere have been some great reviews of the concert, including this one from the Scotsman: http:\/\/www.scotsman.com\/what-s-on\/music\/gig-review-friday-night-is-bbc-music-night-city-halls-1-3795354<\/a><\/p>\n