Tartan Troubadours: From Skiddle Promoter Fund Success to Euro 2024 and Beyond

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Chae Houston of Tartan Troubadours, the ambitious Scottish event brand taking some of Scotland’s most renowned musical exports to the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament in Germany this summer, and the recent winners of The Skiddle Promoter Fund.

The Skiddle Promoter Fund initiative, for those who are unfamiliar, has been devised to assist promising event organisers in bringing their unique event concepts to life. Our most recent initiative was focused specifically on supporting upcoming event organisers based in Scotland and saw us awarding a total of £15,000 in grants.

Commenting on Tartan Troubadour’s winning of the grant, Chae shares insights into how the funds have facilitated the brand’s event planning process, allowing them to secure top-tier artists and allocate resources effectively. Chae also discusses the advantages of the Skiddle Promotion Centre whilst manifesting further expansion in the future through international events and tours.

Read the full interview and find links to Tartan Troubadour’s events below.

What have the funds you secured enabled you to do at your next event, that you might not have been able to do otherwise?

“The support from Skiddle has been instrumental in our event planning process. With the funds received, we’ve been able to confidently pay deposits and secure top-tier artists for our upcoming events. The funds have also provided us with additional flexibility, allowing us to allocate resources towards other crucial aspects of promotion, including marketing efforts and travel deposits. 

Simply put, Skiddle has helped us to improve the quality of our events better and made it easier to promote and organise them.”

How important is it, as an upcoming promoter, to receive the sort of support and financial backing that you’ve received from Skiddle?

“Receiving support and financial backing from organisations like Skiddle is incredibly valuable, especially for promoters starting out who face challenges in raising funds for event and artist deposits. 

The funds we received not only provide much-needed financial assistance but also offer a sense of validation, knowing that a reputable organisation like Skiddle believes in our vision and is willing to invest in our success.”

Why should other promoters apply for future Skiddle Promoter Fund grants?

“As previously mentioned, the grant we received has proved to be incredibly useful towards the organisation of our event. It’s allowed us to pay off bills and deposits earlier helping us to mitigate some of the risks when running an event.

I would strongly advise any other promoters thinking of applying for the Skiddle Promoter Fund to do so.” 

What are the perks or advantages of using the Skiddle platform when promoting and selling tickets to events?

“We’ve found Skiddle’s Promotion Centre and the features it boasts to be hugely advantageous. The back end is easy to use and it’s easy to access ticket reports.

The Waiting List feature in particular has proven especially beneficial, helping us to maximise our sales. Additionally, the client support we have received has been second to none.”

What does the future hold for Tartan Troubadours?

“We’re excited about our upcoming events in Germany, marking Tartan Troubadours’ debut event celebrating the Euro 2024 competition and, in particular, Scotland’s involvement. We also have plans to expand the brand further by embarking on a tour and hosting more international events and gatherings back in our home nation.”

The latest round of the Skiddle Promoter Fund, the first of 2024, is now open for applications for aspiring event organisers based in Northern Ireland.

If you fit the bill and fancy getting your hands on up to £1000 to bring your unique event concepts to life, simply follow the link below and submit your entry. The deadline for applications closes on Sunday 30th June. Good Luck!