Hue and Cry comeback for Burns Festival gig

May 22 2009 by Stuart Wilson

MENTION Scottish brothers in pop music and most will scream The Proclaimers.

It takes the more informed mind to pick Hue and Cry from the crowd.

But for Pat and Greg Kane, the 21st century is all about hitting back.

True, the stage siblings were once a pretty big noise.

Massive hits like Labour of Love and Looking For Linda made them an act to follow.

But that was the Eighties.

Since then, as a new wave of musical stars have dominated our scene, the unlikely pop stars that are Hue and Cry faded to the background.

Then came the rebirth – through a reality TV show – that could be set to relaunch one of Scotland’s best loved acts.

And they’re bursting back on the scene at this week’s Burns an’ a’ That Festival.

Pat, 35, told the Post: “We appeared on the ITV show Hit Me Baby One More Time.

“It gave us the spark to go again and that buzz to perform in front of live crowds.

“We also discovered through the internet that 135,000 people had viewed videos of our songs.

“And these weren’t videos we’d uploaded ourselves – it was pure word of mouth from people who obviously liked our stuff.

“We suddenly realised the indication of demand out there for us, and we felt inspired to give it another go.”

So Hue and Cry are back.

Their new pop album, Open Soul, is their first in 16 years.

And Pat believes the audience who witness the revitalised duo in Ayr are in for a treat.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to the Burns Festival gig – it’s an event that’s always had a good reputation.

“I’ve sung a few Burns songs in my time and I can’t wait to have that chance again.

“Ayr’s a town we played many gigs in before; at the Gaiety Theatre in particular, and it’s a place renowned for good music.”

Hue and Cry are one of the headline acts at this year’s Burns Festival and take to the stage on Friday night.

They’re appearing at the Festival Club, in Wellington Square. Tickets priced £15 available from Ayr tourist information centre, the Citadel or www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Doors Open 7pm.