The Bluebells
Sat 01 Aug
|Crail Community Hall
Initially the Bluebells enjoyed a whirlwind career spanning the early 1980’s with a recording output including three U.K. hit singles. “I’m Falling”, “Cath” and “Young at Heart” made with a procession of producers including Elvis Costello who became a mentor and teacher to the band.
When & Where
01 Aug 2026, 20:00 – 22:00
Crail Community Hall, St Andrews Rd, Crail, KY10 3UH
About
The Bluebells - Crail Festival 2026
Initially the Bluebells enjoyed a whirlwind career spanning the early 1980’s with a recording output including three U.K. hit singles. “I’m Falling”, “Cath” and “Young at Heart” made with a procession of producers including Elvis Costello who became a mentor and teacher to the band. Guitarist and ex-fanzine publisher Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell) wrote instantly memorable classics in collaboration with the two McCluskey Brothers who completed the Bluebells' essential troika and Kenneth McCluskey sang them in a likably unaffected voice, making every track count.
With the release of their debut album “Sisters” in 1984 on London Records ,The Bluebells toured widely in Europe and North America developing their live sound and signing to Seymour Stein’s Sire records in the U.S.
Robert and the brothers parted company amicably in 1986 with Ken and David forming and releasing records as the McCluskey Brothers while Robert concentrated on song writing duties for various other artists including Texas and the late Sinead O’Connor as well as his own group The Poems.
In 1993 when “Young at Heart” hit the U.K. No 1 spot following its use as a T.V. advert for Volkswagon the chaps met up for some fun Top of the Pops appearances.
The Bluebells are very pleased to be playing again having recently received two premier Scottish Music Business Awards including “The Tartan Clef Award for Song Writing .” at the star studded Nordoff –Robbins charity annual fund raiser at Glasgow Barrowlands. Following there-release of the Classic album repackaged “Sisters” album on the Last Night From Glasgow The Bluebells were encouraged by the label and fans to record new material which has manifested itself in the excellent new album “The Bluebells In The 21st Century” released in April 2023.
Cherry Red have also compiled a 34 track bumper C.D. of the Bluebells “Sisters” containing all of the favourite recordings alongside some rare out takes from the London records catalogue.
Bobby Ken and David are currently performing a variety of acoustic gigs as a three piece and as a full six piece line up augmented by Campbell Owens (Aztec Camera) on Bass.
Douglas MacIntyre (Love and Money/Creeping Bent Organisation) on Guitar and Mick Slaven (Bourgie Bourgie, Paul Quinn, Del Amitri) on lead Guitar.
The Bluebells - Anyone Could Be a Buzzcock (Official Video) | The Bluebells - Gone Tomorrow (Official Video)
