FOR Robbie Hutton, playing the main stage of a hometown music festival will be the crowning achievement of his career to date.

The emerging singer-songwriter is among the names to play the inaugural Forthside Festival in Stirling on May 3.

And with the release of some new music, the 25-year-old is riding a bit of a wave at the moment.

The singer said: “Things have been looking up for me recently. At this moment I can sit here and say that I have a new single, a video, a growing audience, a handful of gigs and a slot at a two-day festival in my home town. It doesn’t get a whole better than that.

“It’s been a struggle at times; writing music should be hard, of course it should. But it’s just encouraging to see there is reward at the end of it all. And I don’t plan on giving up any time soon.

“I am delighted with my new material and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

His Forthside set will feature new single Waves and upcoming track Battlefield, but it will be the feeling of performing for such a large local crowd that will delight the Stirling man.

Robbie plays on the first day of the two-day event, which was recently moved to Haugh Field in Whins of Milton.

He knows the event not only provides him with a platform to shine but will offer up the wealth of talent the city and surrounding area has to offer.

Robbie said: “Sometimes you hear about a gig opportunity and you just know it’s going to be a cracker. As soon as I was told about Forthside, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

“A city the size of Stirling really should have a festival like this; there are so many talented bands and artists in the area, and, without a doubt, there is a thriving music scene.

“I’ve got connections to parts of Perthshire, but I always consider myself to be a Stirling man through-and-through.

“It’s going to be a huge gig for me – playing in front of a home crowd is always amazing, and with the buzz and festival atmosphere, it’s going to be something truly special.”

His new track was unveiled earlier this month, complete with an epic music video, set against the backdrop of rolling hilltops and hellish waves in Ayrshire.

The singer – also known for Bed of Roses – teased further releases as he begins to gather momentum in the recording studio.

He added: “I feel like I’ve hit a bit of a rhythm recently and I can’t wait for people to hear what I’ve written over the last few months or so.

"Waves is a song about overthinking and being submerged in thought.  I wanted to set an emotional tone with this song, both musically and lyrically, as I am conveying an emotive message, while at the same time packing a punch.

“It touches upon a subject that affects myself and a large chunk of the general population, so I feel it’s a song people can relate to while at the same time enjoy the hooks, which the song isn't shy of.

“There has been a ton of work put into the song as well as the video, shot with Stuart Breadner from Shootback Productions.

“But it’s just the first of more to come. I’ve got plans for more singles in the near future, all with music videos as well. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

Forthside is not the only festival date for Robbie this summer as he is also on the bill for Sing on the Bing in Pumpherston, taking place on May 25.

Tickets for Forthside, headlined by Stevie McCrorie and Mark Morriss, are available online at Skiddle.

To watch the fantastic video for Robbie Hutton’s Waves, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFZu1nQS3Y