Stornoway takes its name from the only town on the North West Scottish island of Lewis. Brian Briggs (singer/guitarist), Jonathan Ouin (keyboards/strings) and brothers Ollie Steadman (bass) and Rob Steadman (drums) formed the band while studying together at Oxford University. Their untitled debut EP showcases a swagger and largely acoustic sound that is often compared to Belle & Sebastian and XTC.

With a boyish folk-pop sound and lyrics rooted in nature, literature and youthful romanticism, debut album Beachcomber's Windowsill (2009) immediately struck a chord. Several festival visits – also including Glastonbury – were the result.

On Tales from Terra Firma (2013) and Bonxie (2015), they expand their sound with elements of psychedelic and baroque pop. A year later, the band broke up amicably and with an extensive farewell tour.

Six years on, Stornoway reunited as a trio for a series of festival shows, with Briggs, Quinn and Oli Steadman at the helm. In 2023, their fourth studio album Dig the Mountain! was released and did very well in the English charts, with high demand for shows as a result. A first, limited tour brings them to AB for the first time.

Their very first Christmas single is a special version of Excelsior – featuring the Gwalia Male Voice Choir and mixed by Mike Lindsay (see: Hannah Peel, Laura Marling, Jon Hopkins) – a song that reminds us of the importance of connecting with each other and with nature. A pleasant prelude to an undoubtedly heartwarming concert.