Amy MacDonald news

New song: Pride

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The song 'Pride' has been added to the Absolute Radio playlist

Photos: BT London Live in Hyde Park - Saturday 4 August

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:35:07 +0100

Photos: BT London Live Hyde Park

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:35:07 +0100

Watch: Interview

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:40:59 +0100

Amy Macdonald dropped by to chat to Johnny ahead of her performace in Hyde Park and amongst other things talked about how well represented Scotland is in London 2012.

Watch: Interview

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:55:42 +0100

Amy MacDonald joins Andy Bush for a chat live on-air at Hard Rock Calling 2012. Topics under discussion include Amy's touring diet, going to university, and 50 Shades of Grey...

Photos: Hard Rock Calling 2012

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:33:02 +0100

Photos: Amy MacDonald at Hard Rock Calling 2012.

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:28:05 +0100

New song: Slow It Down

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The song 'Slow It Down' has been added to the Absolute Radio playlist

Watch: Interview

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:06:13 +0100

Geoff Lloyd speaks to Amy MacDonald just after her soundcheck for the Concert for Kirsty MacColl Shepherd's Bush Empire.

New song: Love Love

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The song 'Love Love' has been added to the Absolute Radio playlist

Watch: Interview

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:36:05 +0100

Amy MacDonald speaks to Geoff Lloyd about her lack of partying at V Festival, her very posh microphone, being a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and then a small accident happened during the session...

Watch: Interview

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:30:39 +0100

Amy MacDonald chats to OJ Borg, backstage at the 2010 V Festival. The Scottish songstress denies ever becoming Scottish Woman of the Year in 2008 and she says she ain't no WAG - in fact, she's the main breadwinner in the family! Amy says she learned the hard way about trying to play a gig with a hangover so rarely drinks during festivals.

Photos: Amy MacDonald at V Festival 2010

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:23:30 +0100

New song: This Pretty Face

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The song 'This Pretty Face' has been added to the Absolute Radio playlist

New song: Spark

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The song 'Spark' has been added to the Absolute Radio playlist

Watch: Interview

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:31:11 +0000

Geoff Lloyd chats to the lovely singer-songwriter Amy MacDonald at the Hard Rock Cafe, prior to her Absolute Radio live session.

Photos: Amy MacDonald Absolute Radio session at Hard Rock Cafe

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:56:22 +0000

Introducing...

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:20:23 +0000

You may have heard Amy Macdonald's debut single. 'Poison Prince' has so far been a hit with everyone who's heard it.

After first picking up one of her father's guitar aged 12, Amy has spent the best part of a decade teaching herself how to play and then honing her songwriting skills.

Starting off playing in pubs and coffee shops she moved up to smaller venues and clubs. After a few successful shows around Glasgow and Edinburgh she recorded some demos and was picked up by a London management company, sowing the seeds for her future.

Inspired by indie bands like fellow Scots, Travis and old legends like Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen she has reached a level where simple, sugary choruses are tempered by her rich voice and often by dark, jangly soundtracks as well.

Her debut album 'This Is The Life' is out this summer on Vertigo Records.

Zoo Session - July 2007

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:36:51 +0100

When the delicious Amy MacDonald came in to perform a Zoo Session, we thought it would be wholly appropriate to record it so you can watch the set in its entirety. Check out her dulcet Scottish tones right here.

Teenage Cancer Trust 2008: Interview and pictures

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:56:44 +0100

Backstage at the Teenage Cancer Trust gigs, Ben Jones chatted to Amy Macdonald, who told him that she didn't want to become a diva and she couldn't see that happening.

BJ: We’ve got you on like every week!

AM: I saw you when we were sound-checking. I saw you sitting in the seats and thought “Gosh!”

BJ: Well, this is an amazing venue, isn’t it?

AM: It is – it’s brilliant. It’s nuts to just look out and see all the seats and everything.

BJ: And to think – in about an hour and a half’s time, it’s going to be packed. I don’t know how many people will be in here – 5,000 maybe?

AM: I don’t know – we were debating it earlier and we didn’t really know exactly what it was.

BJ: When I turned up I could hear you sound checking so I thought “Audience for one, in the Royal Albert Hall, Amy MacDonald playing – sounds good to me!” So how have you been?

AM: Yes, fine. Brilliant.

BJ: Where have you been?

AM: Where have I been? Since I last saw you I’ve been to Switzerland, a couple of other places. I’ve just had a week off – this is my first day back for a whole week, which is just mad for me. It was very relaxing.

BJ: So they’re calling tonight sort of an “acoustic” show. It’s kind of semi-acoustic, I guess?

AM: Yes.

BJ: Talk us through your performance tonight.

AM: Well it’s just the same as normal for everything except the drums. We’ve banished the drum kit and we’ve got a little, what looks like a box, but it’s called a kahon. My drummer is very talented. He’s also invented a tambourine which you stamp with your foot. He’s actually had it patented and properly made and everything.

BJ: Wow. So he’s going to be ditching the band soon because he’s going to have made a mint “Dragon’s Den” sort of style.

AM: Exactly. I’ve said to him to go on it, but he’s that kind of person that would just fall apart under pressure.

BJ: What’s his name?

AM: Adam Faulkner. It’s called the “Stompourine”.

BJ: Ok. Adam seems to have so much fun, though. I was watching him earlier on and at the show we did the other Sunday and actually, you know what – he just seems to have so much fun.

AM: Yes, he just loves playing the drums. I’ve started every time we’ve been mucking around in sound check I’ve always went over and had a bash around, so even if you don’t know what you’re doing – like me – it’s just so much fun to hit things!

BJ: Is there maybe a sense of nerves about playing such an iconic venue as the Royal Albert Hall tonight?

AM: I don’t know. I mean, I’ve never really suffered from nerves when performing, so I don’t know how I’ll be tonight, but I’m hoping that I won’t have nerves, because it’s always much harder to enjoy it when you’re nervous.

BJ: I’m about to have an epileptic fit.

AM: Yes – it’s quite bright.

BJ: So how did you get the call to get involved?

AM: I was in Vienna and I had a missed phone call and I had a voicemail from Mr Daltrey saying to me “Would you like to come and play?” which was kind of strange. And I was like “Brilliant, yes! Absolutely love to!” and that was it, really.

BJ: How long are you on for this evening?

AM: I think it’s about 20 minutes. I think we’re doing 5 or 6 songs.

BJ: So how do you decide the 5 or 6 songs that you play? Because you’ve got: a) the album’s brilliant – you could play every song on there; secondly you like the covers – ‘Mr Brightside’ would go down very well here tonight. What are you going to do?

AM: Just a bit of everything, really. I don’t mind – I love playing anything, so I just leave it to the guys and we have a quick discussion before we go on and say “Right – that’s fine.” So it’s just a little bit of everything.

BJ: Have you found that when you do these kinds of shows and when you tour around the world and around Europe that you tend to meet the same people? Like I just saw you chatting to Newton Faulkner earlier on?

AM: Well that’s funny because I’ve not really met a lot of people while I was doing this, but Newton is one that I’ve met hundreds of times. So every time I see him, we just chat and catch up on what we’re doing. So it’s nice to meet people like him who are so down to earth and so easy going, like I am myself. It’s nice to meet people that are in the exact same boat.

BJ: Give it a few years, you two will be divas, you’ll have entourages, there will be massive great riders.

AM: I can’t see me ever being a diva!

BJ: Actually we did a gig with Newton Faulkner probably 2 or 3 months ago in a hot air balloon over the Swiss Alps.

AM: I remember seeing that on the website, yes.

BJ: Really, really cool and we’re going to try and do some more of these – “Unplugged and airborne”. Someone has even suggested that we do one of these – you know Richard Branson’s got this new company where you can send people up into space?

AM: Yes.

BJ: So I’m thinking, maybe you could be the first person?

AM: If you’re willing to foot the bill.

BJ: What is it? Is it £100,000 for like 9 minutes?

AM: Is it?

BJ: Yes.

AM: I’m there if you’re paying.

BJ: Don’t even look at me for that kind of money! Listen – good to see you.

AM: You too.

BJ: Thanks for your time and have a good time tonight!

AM: Thank you very much!

BJ: Always good to see you!

Live audio, interview and review at Isle of Wight 2008

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:50:59 +0100

Video and audio interview

But Amy doesn’t disappoint, and as the afternoon sun heats the arena, Amy’s catchy, folky melodies get the crowd clapping their hands high above their heads to “This Is The Life” amongst others.

After a welcome rendition of The Killers’ “When We Were Young,” of which Amy describes as “an inspiration” she finishes off with “L.A.” to a by now, packed out main stage basking in the warm summer sun.

Ben Jones chats to Amy Macdonald

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:48:44 +0100

Ben Jones: So it is what? Day two.

Amy Macdonald: Yes.

BJ: Of the Isle of Wight Festival. This is Ben Jones. Amy Macdonald is here. Good to see you.

AM: You too.

BJ: How long have you been here for?

AM: Erm, a few hours. First time in the Isle of Wight and it’s nice that it’s a nice day as well. It’s nice and warm.

BJ: See, cos when I left, I heard, I was going to bring my wellies, my boots and all that kind of thing.

AM: Really?

BJ: Yeah, my Peter Storm jacket but.

AM: It’s nice and there’s no mud, definitely no mud.

BJ: It’s like being on holiday.

AM: Not quite but (laughs).

BJ: Not where you’re going on holiday. You just told me before we came on air. I’m not going to tell you where, but she’s doing all right.

AM: (Laughs).

BJ: First impressions of the Isle of Wight then?

AM: Lovely, yeah, it always makes a difference at festivals when it’s, when it’s sunny and warm. It’s always a bit hard to take when it’s, when it’s raining. So it’s always nice to have it sunny, it’s a nice backstage area as well. A hotel, there’s a dressing room (laughs).

BJ: Yeah, we had a – although I’ll be honest with you, it’s kind of weird having, I think it’s a Travel Inn? Or something like that.

AM: It’s, yeah, well it’s a Premier Inn, I think they’re a little bit better.

BJ: Premier.

AM: Yeah.

BJ: I will never forget a few years ago, David Bowie in a room.

AM: Yeah.

BJ: And I thought never in my wildest dreams, would I ever see David Bowie at a Premier Travel Inn.

AM: I know. It’s strange, but I suppose it’s better than a little tent or cabin.

BJ: True.

AM: (Laughs).

BJ: I can’t see David Bowie in a two-man bivvy.

AM: Yeah.

BJ: So tell me, how did you get here? Did you do the old ferry thing? Or does someone like you now get helicoptered in?

AM: Yeah. No, (laughs) not at all! We came on the ferry. I came with my managers in the back of the car. The thing is, they’re going on holiday, it’s my managers are husband and wife and they’re going on holiday tomorrow as well. So the car is just packed, well they’re on holiday today actually, so we had everyone’s luggage in there and it kind of felt weird. It felt like we were going on holiday together! Getting on the ferry. But it was, it was fine. It was quite a short crossing. I expected it to be longer.

BJ: You literally, probably if you got enough of a run-up, I reckon you could do it in a car.

AM: Exactly!

BJ: So, erm, tell us about where you’ve been since the last time we saw you. Cos you came and did the session for us probably about two months ago now.

AM: Yeah, erm, I’ve been in the rest of Europe quite a lot. I’ve been in a lot of countries and things have went really well. I mean I’ve had a number one album in Holland and Switzerland and Denmark, like top ten most other places, it’s doing really well in Germany. So it’s, it’s kind of really taking off and on Tuesday, Tuesday this week I reached a million sales, which is just phenomenal.

BJ: Do you know what, I wanna give you a round of applause but there’s no-one else here apart from a few people.

AM: There’s no-one here (laughing).

BJ: One, there’s one single solitary clap from the tour manager. And he’s gonna clap regardless.

AM: (laughs) Yeah, see that’s been really, been really great this week starting obviously. I’ve got the whole and and counting cos the album isn’t out in America until the 19th of August and I’m really gonna give it a go, like the label over there are really up for it and everyone’s, everyone’s ready to kind of go for it. So hopefully that.

BJ: If ever there was a time for British artists to do well in America.

AM: Yeah, definitely.

BJ: Now is the time.

AM: Definitely. I mean it’s, it’s really good for British music, right now and the Americans have definitely got a wee thing for the Scots, so I think that’s an, an advantage!

BJ: Are we gonna lose you though? Are you gonna go over there and we’re not gonna see you for three or four years and then you’re gonna come back.

AM: No, not at all.

BJ: You’re gonna have a rider and a roadie and I’m not gonna be able to speak to you because your ego’s too big?

AM: (Laughs) Not at all. Never. I mean I’m gonna go over there for the next, the next couple of months and hopefully see how things pan out and hopefully it’ll go well. But I’ll always, I’ll always be UK, my home, definitely.

BJ: Have you started to be recognised? You know, when you walk down the street now, do people come over and say hello? And if so, what do they say?

AM: I mean, not that much. I’m just, I’m really kind of unassuming. I don’t have the whole big person that would make people come and say things. I mean it happens a lot in Glasgow.

BJ: Yeah.

AM: Because people know that I’m from there and that’s where I live and it happens a few other places. But it’s not that bad actually and it’s, it’s really great because for me, I’ve always said, it’s about music and I’ve been able to keep it like that. I’ve been able to avoid the whole paparazzi and celebrity kind of nonsense.

BJ: That must be the best way to do it actually.

AM: It is! It just means that you can have a normal life and you can go home and see your friends and family and not be harassed every two seconds.

BJ: So let’s talk about some of the other acts that are playing today. Are you hanging around for some of the other performances?

AM: Erm, I don’t think I can. I’ve got a flight to catch, so I need to get out of here and up to Gatwick airport! Yeah.

BJ: See, I’ve never seen the Sex Pistols before.

AM: I know, it would be amazing.

BJ: And I, I can’t, I’ll be honest with you, I’m not a massive fan of, I couldn’t name B sides and rarities and all that kinda thing.

AM: Yeah.

BJ: And all that kind of thing. I mean I like the hits, I guess.

AM: Uh huh. I think it’s just something that doesn’t matter if you’re a fan or not. They’re kind of one of the bands that you should probably see before you die, definitely.

BJ: I would imagine they’re in that list.

AM: Yeah.

BJ: But I would also imagine that they’re one of those bands that can put on a shambolic stroke genius performance at the same time.

AM: Yeah, I mean I’ve spoken to a few people that have seen them before and they’ve said, oh no, they were brilliant. It was, it was great, it was awesome, so it would be good to see. But unfortunately I can’t stick around that late!

BJ: Because you’ve got to go on holiday, celebrate a million sales.

AM: (Laughing) I know, terrible isn’t it?

BJ: Life is such a bitch, being a successful music star.

AM: (Laughs).

BJ: Listen, always good to see you.

AM: You too.

BJ: Have a great holiday. Have a great performance and let’s er, let’s hold out for the good weather eh?

AM: Yeah, definitely, fingers crossed. Knowing my luck the Scottish person will go on and bring the rain with them (laughs).

BJ: Like the old Travis performance.

AM: Yeah, it will be.

BJ: Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

AM: Why does it always rain on me.

BJ: Good to see you. Have a great time.

AM: Thanks very much. Thank you.

Live at V Festival 2008

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:12:14 +0100

Amy MacDonald played at the Virgin Mobile V Festival 2008 on the 4Music stage and we have a live review.

Representing her native Scotland in a short tartan dress, Amy is effortlessly confident and full of charisma as she churns out the hits one after another much to the crowd's delight. It’s all about the music with this Scottish lass so chatter is kept to a minimum, preferring only to address her audience to let them in on her musical inspirations and influences.

"Rock and Roll" and "Boy Named Jake" get the biggest cheers of the now overcast and breezy summer afternoon. But she’s not done there, Amy gives the crowd a treat with one of the first plays of her new song and a cover of "Dancing in the Dark" before finishing the set with "This is the Life".

The festival goers loved every minute of it, and why wouldn’t they, she’s great!

Photos: V Festival 2008

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:47:33 +0100