Where – Lilliardsedge Park, Jedburgh
When – 4th/6th Sept 2026
Review and photographs by Linda McDermott
Friday 4th September Day One
Set in the heart of the Scottish Borders, with stunning views and nestled between Jedburgh and Hawick, Edgefest has now reached its fourth year. This year the family-friendly festival has grown to three days, which says a lot about how successful it has become. With previous headliners including Billy Ocean, Wet Wet Wet, McFly, UB40, Olly Murs and Travis, there is certainly a strong element of nostalgia running through the festival, giving many people the chance to revisit some of the music they grew up with. There is also a real commitment to Scottish talent, something that can be seen across the whole weekend.
I arrived early on a rather windy day, with the festival team still busy putting those final touches into place before the crowds arrived. There were plenty of stalls and food vendors catering for every taste, along with bouncy castles and a funfair to keep everyone happy. With the gates opening at 5pm and the rain threatening, I wandered around the arena, chatted to a few people, and waited for the music to begin.
Opening the festival was Scottish singer-songwriter Lucy Tay. It’s never an easy job being first on stage, but Lucy has a beautiful voice and quickly began drawing people into the tent. Her folk-pop and acoustic sound worked perfectly as the festival started to come alive, while her songs brought plenty of personal storytelling.
Green Eyes, introduced as a song for those who have picked toxic guys, earned a big cheer, while her version of Dolly Parton’s Jolene was another highlight. Lucy explained that Dolly had been an idol and a major influence on her music, making the performance feel particularly special. Starting off hauntingly, it soon picked up the pace and had the crowd joining in.
She finished with an upbeat song about her ex-boyfriend, complete with dancing and plenty of clapping from the audience. It was a lovely introduction to the weekend and, with songs from her two EPs, Taylor and Doing Just Fine, Lucy certainly left the festival with some new fans.
Next up were The Eves, a duo bringing their own blend of indie folk to the festival. Their harmonies immediately caught my attention and, despite not knowing any of their music, I soon found myself humming along.
Tides, Big Love and Legal High were particular favourites, that had me happily swaying along. Their lyrics covered a wide range of subjects, including the walk of shame and a woman scorned, but there was plenty of variety in the music too, with hints of Euro-pop and some great dance beats.
When they asked if there were any Kylie fans in the crowd, the response was loud and clear before they launched into, I Should Be So Lucky, that really got people dancing, including the ladies in front of me who were giving it everything.
There was something really captivating about The Eves and their stage presence pulled you in. I thoroughly enjoyed their set and was still humming the final song while I was waiting on the stage being set up for the next band, which is always a pretty good sign.
By now the big tent was filling up nicely for The Hoosiers, a band I hadn’t listened to for a very long time. In fact, it was nearly twenty years since I remembered listening to their album The Trick to Life, with Goodbye Mr A and Worried About Ray being particular favourites. Needless to say, I was looking forward to seeing them again.
They didn’t disappoint.
From the moment they started, the big top erupted, with a huge roar from the crowd and plenty of people singing along. Their music is infectious, packed with catchy melodies and upbeat tempos, and I found myself joining in with songs I knew, or at least thought I knew!
There was a brilliant atmosphere inside the tent as people settled into the weekend. Alongside the familiar favourites came new songs and tracks from their latest album, Compassion. The full set had an energy that was impossible to ignore, with the big top now well and truly jumping.
The Hoosiers have a great stage presence too, and their combination of boppy tunes, infectious melodies and upbeat songs had everyone enjoying themselves. By the time they finished with Goodbye Mr A, I was right back in the early days of the band and already thinking that their back catalogue might be getting another airing when I got home. If that wasn’t enough, the band had a little boogie at the front of the stage to All Night Long. It was a fun ending to a set that had taken me straight back to the music I remembered from nearly two decades ago.
Then it was time for Friday night’s headliner, Edinburgh’s Callum Beattie.
With his six-piece band behind him, Callum had the perfect selection of songs to keep the party going. Daddy’s Eyes and Dead Man Walking got his dedicated fans at the front of the stage singing loud and clear, while another Dolly Parton tribute followed with 9 to 5, always a firm favourite with Dolly fans.
Every song seemed to hit the spot and the atmosphere inside the big top was brilliant. Choruses were being sung, feet were tapping and people were swaying and then came the chant I couldn’t help but smile at: “No Beattie, no party!” There was certainly plenty of partying going on, both on and off the stage, and Callum and his band were clearly enjoying themselves as much as the audience.
Pins and Needles kept the tent buzzing before Callum introduced Red, one of his favourite songs, and I must admit, it was now mine too. It was another great moment in a set that had kept the energy high from beginning to end. Before we all knew it the night was over and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause at what had been a fantastic night of great music.
Reluctantly, everyone began filtering out of the big top and headed back to their lodges, campervans, and tents for a good night’s sleep before round two.
What a great start to the weekend. The music had been varied, the atmosphere was brilliant and the crowd were clearly ready to make the most of three days of live music. If Friday was anything to go by, the rest of the festival was going to be a belter!
Please check out all the artists, listen to their music, and give them a follow.
Callum Beattie
https://www.facebook.com/callumbeattieofficial
The Hoosiers
https://www.facebook.com/thehoosiers
The Eves
https://www.facebook.com/theevesmusic
Lucy Tay
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