Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid have over the years enjoyed huge success across the globe as the emotional honesty, political fire, wit and sing-along raucousness of their songs and their extensive touring has enlightened and entertained fans new and old. The Proclaimers have carved out a niche for themselves in the netherworld where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide. In the process they have enjoyed Gold and Platinum singles and albums in UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Born in Leith in 1962, Craig and Charlie Reid grew up in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty in Fife. At home, they listened to early rock 'n' roll and country greats such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. At school they played in punk bands and formed The Proclaimers in 1983. With a fervent live following growing in Scotland, particularly in Inverness where they performed regularly, their first big break came late in 1986 when they were invited to tour with The Housemartins. Then in January 1987 they made a now seminal appearance on the Channel 4 pop programme The Tube, performing Letter From America & Throw The ‘R’ Away. Singing in regional accents about Scotland - its emigration and its politics - they were a far cry from the mid-Eighties playlist staples of Rick Astley and Sinitta, and became a phenomenon almost overnight, signing to Chrysalis within a month and recording their debut album acoustically, This Is The Story.
Complementing their raw, stripped down delivery with the greater musical scope of a full band, they then embraced country and rock on their second album, 1988's Sunshine On Leith produced by Pete Wingfield, which also saw them form their first full live band and go on a 9 month World tour. In addition to the deeply moving classic title track which has gone on to be an anthem for Hibs fans, the album featured hit singles, the raucous, euphoric I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and I'm On My Way, The latter track subsequently accompanied one of the pivotal scenes in the hit movie Shrek (2001) while in 1989 I'm Gonna Be spent 6 weeks at number 1 in Australia.
The Proclaimers returned with 1994's Hit The Highway, an album that featured a three-piece brass section yielding the hit Let’s Get Married. A longer than intended break then ensued before a fourth album, 2001's Persevere, was cut in Minneapolis and another mammoth year long World tour.
Since then, the band have barely stood still; they have been extremely active on the live front, touring constantly and wowing festival crowds at the likes of Glastonbury, T In The Park, V Festival, Isle Of Wight and Womad, while also opening the bill at the 2005 Live 8 concert at Murrayfield Stadium.
Their songs, too, have provided the inspiration behind an enormously successful, highly acclaimed, award winning new musical, Sunshine On Leith, put together by the Dundee Rep Theatre. Written by Stephen Greenhorn.
They will be performing in Dubai, at The Irish Village on Friday December 18.
Door open: 7pm
Show starts: 8:30pm
Ticket price: AED 175
