Scottish independence: Musicians back independence

Edinburgh’s Usher Hall was a sea of Saltires for a sold out gig with artists including Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand, Amy Macdonald and Frightened Rabbit. Singer Eddi Reader opened the A Night for Scotland bill, playing her hit Perfect. She told the audience of almost 3,000 people: “I’m very proud to be Scottish. “I love all the Yes voters, I love all the No voters too. I love all the No voters so much I want to give them a country.” • Get the latest referendum news, opinion and analysis from across Scotland and beyond on our new Scottish Independence website Musician Dougie MacLean appeared in a pre-recorded video to lead the audience in a singalong to his much-loved song Caledonia. Deacon Blue pair Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross - who also hosted the concert - played as McIntoshRoss before a set by Scottish hip hop act Stanley Odd. Frontman Solareye (aka Dave Hook) said: “The decision that we make isn’t just for us, it’s for our families, it’s for the future, it’s for the communities that we live in.” Closing the first half of the gig, Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite said the band were “honoured” to be asked to play. ‘We all know what a historic week this is’ He said: “We all know what a historic week this is and we all know what we’ve got to do. So let’s all vote Yes.” A DJ played a medley of Proclaimers hits before comedian Elaine C Smith came on to host the second half of the night, telling the audience to each persuade one more person to vote Yes. She said she had just come from recording Question Time in Stirling with shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, to loud boos from the audience, while a later reference to BBC Scotland also drew boos. Introducing a new song Leap Of Faith, Glasgow singer Macdonald said: “The idea of Scotland being in control of its own affairs is something that I actually never thought I’d see in my lifetime. ‘All we’ve to do is put a little cross in a box’ “People fight and die for this right and all we’ve to do is put a little cross in a box. You know what to do Scotland.” Franz Ferdinand, who were introduced by Hollywood actor Kevin McKidd, played hits including Do You Want To, Matinee and No You Girls. Frontman Alex Kapranos said: “I have to apologise for the number of times I said No in that song - I don’t mean it.” Before launching into Take Me Out he added: “It feels incredible to be standing here on the edge if this stage tonight on the edge of history. “I’m not the kind of guy that’s used to making any sort of speech. I’m a man of few words, tonight I’m a man of one word and that word is Yes.” Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit closed the gig with songs including Old, Old Fashioned, Swim Until You Can’t See Land and The Woodpile. ‘Let’s just push this through’ Lead singer Scott Hutchison told the crowd: “I know you’re all converts already but we should believe in ourselves. “We are ahead and let’s just push this through.” Elaine C Smith ended the concert by announcing that a collection would be held at the door for an international aid agency in memory of David Haines, the British aid worker murdered by Islamic State (IS). She said: “I know that every single person in here, our thoughts and hearts will go to David’s family.” Closing the first half of the gig, Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite said the band were “honoured” to be asked to play. He said: “We all know what a historic week this is and we all know what we’ve got to do. So let’s all vote Yes.” A DJ played a medley of Proclaimers hits before comedian Elaine C Smith came on to host the second half of the night, telling the audience to each persuade one more person to vote Yes. A later reference to BBC Scotland also drew boos She said she had just come from recording Question Time in Stirling with shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, to loud boos from the audience, while a later reference to BBC Scotland also drew boos. Introducing a new song Leap Of Faith, Glasgow singer Macdonald said: “The idea of Scotland being in control of its own affairs is something that I actually never thought I’d see in my lifetime. “People fight and die for this right and all we’ve to do is put a little cross in a box. You know what to do Scotland.” Franz Ferdinand, who were introduced by Hollywood actor Kevin McKidd, played hits including Do You Want To, Matinee and No You Girls. ‘On the edge of history’ Frontman Alex Kapranos said: “I have to apologise for the number of times I said No in that song - I don’t mean it.” Before launching into Take Me Out he added: “It feels incredible to be standing here on the edge if this stage tonight on the edge of history. “I’m not the kind of guy that’s used to making any sort of speech. I’m a man of few words, tonight I’m a man of one word and that word is Yes.” SEE ALSO: • Scottish Independence: ‘Yes’ supporters plan gig • Scottish independence: Yes protest at BBC ‘bias’