Emeli Sandé is an award winning Scottish artist, who released her debut album Our Version of Events fifteen years ago. Ahead of her upcoming UK and EU tour, she took to the main stage at BBC Radio Two in the Park in Stirling on September 12 against the magnificent backdrop of Stirling Castle. After performing a beautiful, but whirlwind, set of her greatest hits including “Next To Me,” and “Read All About It, Pt III,” Brig sat down with the star.
What does it mean as a Scottish artist for Radio Two in the park to be in Stirling?
“It really means a great deal. You know coming home and performing, there is just a different feeling. You know I love Scottish crowds. But also to feel the support of Scotland, this is where my career really began for real.
I think a lot of people see it as it started when I moved to London and I got signed, but there was so many years before that where I was part of Urban Scot. It was the first website where I uploaded music.
My whole journey and really learning my craft happened in Scotland. So to come back and to feel the love of the crowd means so much.”
When you perform, what journey do you want to take the audience on?
“We always pray before the show. I want people to leave the show feeling uplifted in some way, and that something emotional in them has maybe sparked or at least that they are a little bit lighter or happier.
You know the songs can be quite deep, but at the end of the day I want people to have fun, and to feel just a little bit more confident. Especially just feeling that they can take up space and that their voice deserves to be heard.”
You have recently announced a tour, and are heading to Glasgow next year. For people who have tickets what can they expect?
“It is going to be a celebration of my first album, it has been fifteen years, so definitely a celebration and a kind of reunion, but also like a catching up. It has been fifteen years and I feel like I have grown a lot, as a person, as a woman, so I guess it is just filling in that time and hopefully getting to showcase some new music that is coming out next year. So yeah, a lot of soul, and a lot of joy hopefully!”
How did you react to being asked to do Radio 2 ITP this year?
“Excitement! Radio Two have been a big supporter ever since the very beginning of my career, so fifteen years later to still be an act that they would consider asking is a great deal for me. To get to perform here on such a big platform, the stage is amazing!”
What other artists are you excited to see this weekend?
“Certainly Chaka Khan, I mean what a legend! It is quite surreal that she is going to be here in Stirling! Also Simple Minds. I think those two are ones that I am really excited to see!”
Tickets for Sande’s concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on February 8 2027 are sold out, but her compelling Radio Two performance is available to watch on YouTube.
Featured Image Credits : Martha Steventon