Tolbooth Attic.
Covering a jump jive leap that spans rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, classic country and western swing to manouche gypsy jazz and cool ‘50s lounge lizard grooviness, reviewers have picked up on the obvious points of reference such as Carl Perkins or Louis Jordan. But with influences proudly up front and enthusiastically celebrated, Awkward Family Portraits also inject a distinctly 21st century freshness that is laden with spades of roguish charm and humour to interpretations and all band originals.
Selected as Tenement TV’s “Ones To Watch for 2018”, the band underscored their serious intent to live up to that by putting out two killer singles via Glasgow’s Holy Smokes Records. Conjuring up the ambiance of classic duets from Les Paul and Mary Ford, with ‘Baby Blue’ featuring Cara Rose, and drafting in respected Scottish roots artist Daniel Meade for some guest piano rattling on ‘Please Baby Please’, they quickly gathered in even more attention. Encouraged by the reaction, the band went on to crowd-fund their debut album ‘Everything We’ve Done Up Until Now Except What We’ve Done Since’ a collection of songs that developed as they grew in stature to appear at big events such as Country2Country, Celtic Connections, HebCelt Festival and Belladrum while continuing to tour extensively across the UK and in The Netherlands and Spain.
Firm favourites on the big occasions with an infectious ability to bring fun as well as startling musicianship to the stage, that signature sparkle of witty presentation is rarely absent and was featured in the promo video they put out in support of the track, ‘Ring, Ring, Angus’. ‘Don’t Drink Whisky, It’s Risky’ recalls all the spit ‘n’ sawdust honky tonk glory of Commander Cody & The Lost Plant Airmen’s ‘Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)’, and wallowing happily in the kind of don’t-ya-just-love-it territory visited by the likes of Two Man Gentlemen Band, The Wiyos and Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, it’s hugely smile-inducing with a just-right spoonful of zing from start to finish.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Stirling? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Acclaimed Edinburgh born singer-songwriter Adam Holmes is one of the brightest stars on the UK roots music scene! Don't miss him live at the Tolbooth Stirling when he returns on 6th November!
READ MORETo mark the release of his eighth album Still Friends, Dave Arcari embarks on a series of live dates including a date at The Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 8th November!
READ MORERyan Young is a multi award winning fiddle player injecting fresh and innovative ideas into the realm of traditional Scottish music.
READ MOREKim Blythe, one of Scottish comedy's most exciting rising stars, brings her second show Cowboy to the Tolbooth Stirling on Wednesday 12th November!
READ MOREYou are invited aboard the Metagama, to the plains and lakes of Canada, to 1920s Detroit and Prohibition, and through the ebb and flow of fortunes on both sides of the Atlantic.
READ MOREAndy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, don't miss him when he returns to the Tolbooth Stirling on 18th November!
READ MOREAinsley Hamill, one of Scotland’s most compelling singers, comes to the Tolbooth Stirling on Wednesday 19th November.
READ MORERhoda Dakar, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, has forged an impressive career and plays the Tolbooth Stirling on Thursday 20th November!
READ MOREBeth Malcolm is a singer-songwriter who performs a mix of traditional, modern and her own original Scots songs. Catch her at the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 22nd November!
READ MOREOn this tour Boo and Heidi will be singing songs new and old with a dash of humour and a good measure of storytelling. Catch them at the Tolbooth Stirling on 26th November!
READ MOREAward-winning singer/songwriter Kirsten Adamson and her band play the Tolbooth Stirling on Friday 28th November with support from The Silver Arrow Collective!
READ MOREGet into the festive spirit with Wild Flower Studio’s Christmas Wreath Making Workshop on Tuesday 2nd December in the Tolbooth café bar.
READ MOREAmy Speace is one of contemporary folk and Americana music’s leading voices of the new generation and you can catch her when she returns to the Tolbooth Stirling on Wednesday 3rd December!
READ MOREThe Tolbooth Stirling welcomes the return of James Yourkston along with support from Viking Moses on Saturday 6th December!
READ MOREChaos reigns this Christmas as Substate Comedy Club launches a brand-new comedy night at the Tolbooth Stirling, inspired by the world’s No.1 live podcast, Kill Tony!
READ MOREWeegie Hink Ae That? And Gary Faulds return for another year of hilarious and completely uncensored panto comedy gold when they bring The Wizard Of Aw Naw.. to the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MOREJoin legendary climber Leo Houlding for his next new show, Exposed, a gripping live experience with stunning visuals, film, and storytelling from the world’s wildest places.
READ MOREMike McGoldrick, John McCusker & John Doyle bring their own blend of top-class folk songs, tunes and charming bonhomie to the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 21st February!
READ MOREAward-winning Stirling musicians Constant Follower return to the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 28th February!
READ MOREOne of the hottest tickets at the Fringe in 2025, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd brings his new show to the Tolbooth Stirling on Friday 6th March!
READ MOREDon't miss award-winning smallpipes player Brìghde Chaimbeul at the Tolbooth Stirling on Saturday 7th March!
READ MOREA dynamic collective dedicated to celebrating the full spectrum of Paul Simon’s musical output; bringing a vibrant energy whilst honouring their timelessness.
READ MOREMark Simmons is back on tour in 2026 with Jest to Impress, a brand new show packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners. Catch him at the Tolbooth Stirling on 17th March!
READ MOREThis is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of Britain’s most chilling murder investigations with crime expert David Swindle and forensic scientist Carol Rogers, at the Tolbooth Stirling!
READ MOREInternational crime expert David Swindle brings his gripping live show Murder: A Search for the Truth to The Tolbooth Stirling on Friday 20th March!
READ MOREHaving amassed millions of views online, as well as sold out shows at the SEC Armadillo and Pavilion theatre, Mark Black is back with his dark wit and an array new songs for 2026!
READ MOREPrepare for an unforgettable evening of adventure as the Kendal Mountain Tour 2026 comes to the Tolbooth Stirling on Wednesday 25th March!
READ MOREDon't miss Norrie Maciver, lead singer of Skipinnish, when he plays the Tolbooth Stirling on Friday 27th March!
READ MORECome and see Phil do his latest show which is a beautiful mess of reminiscences as well as site-specific sillyness, and cracking conceptual one-liners at the Tolbooth Stirling in March!
READ MOREThe City Sinners features some of the top players on the Scottish country / Americana scene and you can catch them when the play the Tolbooth Stirling on Thursday 2nd April.
READ MOREScottish accordionist and vocalist Calum MacPhail brings his latest theatre show to the Tolbooth stage on Friday 17th April.
READ MOREAdriana Brownlee will take you on a journey through one of the most hostile environments in the world, and share stories of the highs and lows of her mountaineering journey.
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On the last Sunday of every month, Slanj-A-Va hosts the Stirling Song Club, providing a platform for musicians and songwriters to form a community and refine their craft!
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Get ready to rock with The Mini Guns at our monthly residency at Slanj-A-Va, Stirling.
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The Record Hide bring their monthly Pop-Up Record Shop to the historic Masonic Hall in Bridge of Allan.
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Join our host Scott and showcase your talent — music, poetry, comedy, or anything in between. The mic is ready at the Foresters Arms, Cambusbarron!
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Acclaimed Edinburgh born singer-songwriter Adam Holmes is one of the brightest stars on the UK roots music scene! Don't miss him live at the Tolbooth Stirling when he returns on 6th November!
READ MORE
Enjoy a celebration of the songs of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at The Albert Halls on 7th November!
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Join Creative Stirling on 7th November for their regular monthly cultural nights 'Speakeasy Stirling', celebrating the best of contemporary talent!
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