Callum Beattie announces surprise Scottish tour with a massive twist sure to delight fans

The Edinburgh singer is returning to some of Scotland’s most intimate venues

Callum Beattie is ending the biggest year of his career with a surprise tour of intimate venues across Scotland – including two shows where fans will have complete control over the setlist.

The Edinburgh born singer has announced the festive run of dates as a special thank you to the fans who have supported him throughout an extraordinary 12 months. It comes after the star headlined some of the biggest stages in the country, including the OVO Hydro, Edinburgh Castle, Belladrum and Queens Park.

But now Callum and his manager Dave Rogers are taking things back to where it all began, returning to some of the smaller venues and towns which played a part in his journey to success.

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 visit Edinburgh Playhouse on November 26, Oban Corran Halls on November 27 and Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre on November 28.

It will then head to Troon Concert Hall on December 3, Dunoon Queen’s Hall on December 4, Strathpeffer Pavilion on December 5, Aberdeen Music Hall on December 11 and Perth Concert Hall on December 12.

The tour will finish with three shows at Glasgow Barrowland on December 18 and 19, including a Saturday matinee.

As well as returning to venues he may never play again, Callum has also planned a unique experience for fans at two of the dates. At the Edinburgh show and the first Glasgow night, audiences will be able to choose the entire setlist from his full back catalogue.

Callum admitted the idea was the brainchild of his manager and could see him being forced to perform songs he would rather avoid. He 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 set lists too.”

Pistol Daisys will support Callum at every show on the tour, with the band having become closely linked with Team Callum over the past year.

The group features Lorna and Lewis, who also perform alongside Callum’s band at his larger shows, while Lewis works in the studio with Dave.

Callum 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.”

Despite a successful year for the Scots singer, he insists the upcoming tour is not about business and is instead a chance to celebrate with the people and fans who helped make it happen.

Callum stated: “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 go on sale on Friday, September 4, at 10am on TicketMaster.