MIDNIGHT SUN WEEKENDER CANCELLED 

We are heartbroken to announce that due to circumstances outwith our control, we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the Midnight Sun Weekender - due to take place on 25th - 27th May in Stornoway.

Rising costs and limited availability on festival infrastructure, as well as the cost of living crisis having an impact on ticket sales means that we are not in the position to deliver the event that we had hoped to bring to our beautiful island. 

Said Ian MacArthur, Midnight Sun Weekender Director “As organisers, we have tried everything we can to overcome the challenges we have faced to stage this event, however it has become impossible for us to move forward. We are deeply disappointed to confirm this news, especially at this late stage and would like to reassure our customers that anyone who has purchased tickets will be able to claim a refund. We deeply regret the impact this cancellation will have on the local retail and hospitality sector and the economic impact overall to Stornoway but would like to thank the Safety Advisory Group, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway Trust, Breedon Hebrides, Stornoway Port Authority, Scottish, Scottish Water and Woody’s Express for all their support to us over recent weeks and months." 

Information on the refund process will be mailed out to ticket buyers in the next 48 hours. For any non refund related queries please contact [email protected]

Introducing a brand-new festival for 2023…

MIDNIGHT SUN
WEEKENDER

Lews Castle, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Thursday 25th May - Saturday 27th May

The island of Lewis is set to play host to the UK’s most idyllic music event this summer as the first ever Midnight Sun Weekender brings the biggest names in rock to the isle, including Pretenders, Primal Scream and a UK festival headline exclusive from John Fogerty.

Midnight Sun Weekender will bring three days of legendary music to the town of Stornoway from Thursday 25th May - Saturday 27th May, welcoming international acts as well as a host of Scottish talent, at a weekender fit for all ages and the first major rock and pop event to grace the island. 

Lews Castle on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s beautiful Outer Hebrides will host a carefully curated musical line-up featuring some of rock’s most iconic and influential artists from Chrissie Hynde’s Pretenders, to Primal Scream, plus John Fogerty. The iconic frontman recently regained publishing rights to his unrivalled back catalogue, meaning fans can expect classics like ‘Bad Moon Rising’, ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ and ‘Fortunate Son’ from his exclusive headline set.

A destination event with a difference, Midnight Sun Weekender’s full music lineup is: Pretenders, Primal Scream, John Fogerty, Ocean Colour Scene, Spiritualized, The Lewis Allstars, Edwyn Collins, Public Service Broadcasting, Awkward Family Portraits, Honeyblood, The Joshua Hotel, Hearty Har, Ado Matheson, Izzie Yardley and The Choir. 

With discounted tickets available for children (under 14) and teenagers (14-17), Midnight Sun is a weekender for all the family - expect to see fans of all ages enjoying an intergenerational lineup in a Big Top tent in the grounds of Lews Castle’s exquisite surroundings. 

Co-founders of the event, Charlie Clark & Ian MacArthur have also paid tribute to island traditions of keeping the Sabbath, with the weekender rounding off a bumper three days of music on Saturday night, instead of Sunday. The trio have credited the event’s picturesque setting with booking some of rock’s biggest names, with the Pretenders and Primal Scream set to bring their energetic live shows to the stately grounds of Lews Castle. An island of long days and dark starry nights on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Midnight Sun Weekender will welcome music fans to a world class destination. 

The Pretenders will kick off proceedings on Thursday 25th May with one of music’s most iconic frontwomen leading the charge as Chrissie Hynde and co are set to delight fans with a journey through their iconic repertoire including hits from ‘Brass In Pocket’ to ‘Back On The Chain Gang’, before Scottish legends Primal Scream take to the stage on Friday 26th May. From ‘Screamadelica’ classics to ‘XTRMNTR’ grooves, the band are world-renowned for their formidable live shows showcasing frontman Bobby Gillespie’s unmatched energy and their Friday night set at Lews Castle will be no different. To round off the first ever Midnight Sun, none other than John Fogerty will take to the stage for a sunset Saturday night show, taking the audience on a journey through some of his biggest hits from a career spanning almost 50 years. 

Music fans can discover their new favourite artist with the event boasting some of the UK’s most exciting up and coming talent including Scottish indie-rock singer-songwriter Honeyblood or take a psychedelic trip with LA outfit Hearty Har’s mesmeric mid-afternoon set. Edwyn Collins will serenade the crowds with cult classics like ‘Rip It Up’ and ‘A Girl Like You’ sure to get music fans dancing, whilst Britpop favourites Ocean Colour Scene back catalogue is tailor-made for sunny Stornoway afternoons. 

The boutique event is the first of its kind in the Outer Hebrides, promising to deliver an unmissable weekend of music to Stornoway’s doorstep. Set to welcome locals and tourists alike, the island’s accessible travel links will ensure music fans from around the world can be part of island, and music, history at the first ever Midnight Sun Weekender. The awe-inspiring site is amongst the most stunning in the UK, set on the North East coast of the Isle of Lewis with views over Stornoway and beyond to the sea. The perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful islands of Lewis and Harris, and plan a Hebridean adventure, taking in wild mountains, immense white beaches, rugged coastlines and lunar landscapes.

Midnight Sun Weekender will see internationally renowned artists ascend on Scotland’s picturesque Western Isles, for 3 days of jam-packed music and an unforgettable weekend witnessing some of rock’s most iconic stars, overlooking the town of Stornoway and its iconic harbour. - don’t miss out, book tickets now!

View event FAQs and info on getting to Stornoway HERE . 

Tickets