Upcoming Gig at the Old Brewery, Cromarty
The Gig
Rebecca Dunn
When: FRI 20 MAR @ 7.30pm
Where: Old Brewery, Cromarty
Price: £15 GBP - BYOB
As some of you may know, I grew up in the Black Isle, nearby to Cromarty, where this gig is taking place. Funnily enough, it’s not my local connection to Cromarty that led me to booking this gig! Last year, when I was looking for a way to combat the isolation that can come from being an independent musician and acting as your own manager, agent, publicist, and creative director (!), I became a member of a lovely organisation called The Touring Network, through whom I accessed meet-ups for artists and promoters to mingle and chat. It was at such a meet-up – in Edinburgh during the Fringe in 2025 – that I got chatting to Nicki, who worked for Cromarty Arts Trust at the time.
I’d been going through – and still am – a process of how I identify as an artist and had got as far as feeling comfortable with the phrase “I am a folksinger and songwriter”. Added to this, I said to Nicki, “I mainly play the ukulele to accompany myself”. Her ears pricked up at this! I hadn’t realised, but Cromarty host an annual Ukulele Weekend and Nicki immediately asked if I’d perform during this popular event. I was delighted to accept, and the details were firmed up in the months that followed with Sharan Brown, who took up Nicki’s role at Cromarty Arts Trust after she left.
While it intentionally coincides with the Ukulele Weekend, the gig is being promoted as a standalone event, and I’ve been told there will likely be a full house consisting of attendees of the Ukulele Weekend alongside general members of the public.
A friend was recently visiting Cromarty and sent me this photograph of my gig poster being displayed in the village
Cromarty Arts Trust recently shared a lovely post promoting the upcoming gig on their social media:
Rebecca brings a rare kind of performance. Honest, intimate and completely absorbing.
Blending folk rooted storytelling with a modern, expressive voice, Rebecca creates songs that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Her performances draw you in quietly, then hold you there. Every lyric lands. Every note matters.
This is music experienced up close, in the room, exactly as it should be heard.
Join us at Cromarty Arts Trust for an evening of powerful songwriting and unforgettable atmosphere.
Whilst I do have some nerves about the upcoming gig, I’m happy to say that this flattering write up didn’t have me squirming in embarrassment and fear. I’m not always the best at believing in myself, but I do hope and think I’m getting better at it, and when I read this post I though to myself “yes, that is what I’m going to be offering to the audience”. There is a certain centredness to knowing what I can offer, and what I can’t, and I feel that Cromarty Arts Trust have zeroed in on what I actually do offer. This has given me a sense of peace and purpose as I prepare for the gig.
Preparing for the gig
It’s infamous that the creative process involves moments of excitement, joy, and fulfilment paired with moments of crippling self-doubt, feelings of hopelessness and despair, and just about giving up - all mixed up with a healthy dash of procrastination, and, if your lucky, some moments of pure brilliance!
I’ve been experiencing a bit of all the above (although I’ll let others judge about the moments of pure brilliance!) as I prepare myself for this gig. However, I can happily say that rehearsals are underway! As is the process of mentally squaring myself up with the prospect of holding the stage on my own for a full hour and half. I’ve held the stage alone for that long a couple of times before so I know I can do it, but each time comes with nerves.
I’ve got a first draft of my setlist - mostly my own songs, with a couple of covers.
The shortlist of covers includes –
Now Westlin’ Winds – Robert Burns/ Dick Gaughan
Bird On The Wire – Leanord Cohen
Dirty Old Town – Ewan McColl / The Pogues
High Hopes – Paolo Nutini
I welcome votes on which 2 covers to do on the night! Suggestions for ones not on the list are welcome too.
The list of my own songs includes a couple of brand-new ones, some you’ll have heard if you’ve been to one of my gigs before, and the tracks from my EP.
If you can’t make it to the gig, buying my EP is a way to hear some of my work and support me wherever you are in the world!
My EP
Nice Day, Isn't It?
By Rebecca Dunn
Inspired by conversations with local Aberdonian communities, "Nice Day, Isn't It?" explores the universal theme of weather! Memories of weather, the effect it has on people’s moods and routines, and the language used to describe it.
This is my only music release (so far!) and was released May 19, 2023. Buying it directly on Bandcamp means I get most of the profits, compared to the tiny amounts I receive from streaming platforms.
Price: Digital Album - £5 GBP; Compact Disc - £6.99 GBP (you can choose to pay more if you wish)
Purchase the EP here:
I'm looking forward to sharing a special evening with some of you on 20th March.
