Callum Beattie interview: 'I blagged my way on stage with R.E.M'

Listen up: Callum Beattie’s single, Without You, is out now and his debut album is coming soon

Singer and strummer Callum Beattie is one of Scotland’s more sizzling musical talents.

The former Edinburgh busker, 26, was brought up by his dad, “the two of us living in a little house that was falling apart”, but now stands on the cusp of superstardom with a UK headline tour starting in September.

We caught up with him after his British Summer Time Hyde Park set.

What would you save if your house was falling into a sinkhole?

My six guitars are the only things worth anything — I’m trying to sell a couple to pay the rent in London.

Worst job you’ve worked?

I used to work in a Tesco pushing trolleys but I used the hi-vis jacket to sneak into festivals and hand my demo to famous people.

Strangest stage moment?

One year I’d blagged my way into T in the Park in Scotland in my hi-vis jacket, and was handing out CDs backstage to Kings of Leon. R.E.M. were headlining so I decided to go on stage with them in front of 70,000 people. I think I managed to get half a hello in before security basically smashed me to pieces. I headlined, basically.

Guiltiest pleasure?

Sex? Or probably just going out and partying with my pals. If I’ve got the money we’ll go out to Camden but I’ve got a “no £6 pint” policy. In Scotland it’s half the price of that, and it feels magic

Best hangover cure?

A full Scottish breakfast: haggis, square sausage and tatty scones, maybe with a wee whisky on the side.

How would your epitaph read?

Here lies the guy who never stopped trying.

You proudest moment?

Singing my song Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes at Glastonbury a few years ago, which is about my dad bringing me up on his own. I could see him crying in the audience, then I started crying, which was awkward because I was on stage in the middle of the song. He’s been there for me from the start.

The London gigs you absolutely have to see in 2019

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