The Proclaimers

Formed in 1983 in Scotland by twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, born in Leith and partly raised in Auchtermuchty in Fife, The Proclaimers began as an acoustic duo before gradually expanding into a fuller, band-oriented rock sound. Their music blends folk rock, roots rock, country-folk and pop with an energy inherited from punk, featuring close vocal harmonies, straightforward songwriting and vocals delivered in a Scottish accent that remain central to their identity. After starting out on the local scene and touring as support for the Housemartins, The Proclaimers released This Is the Story in 1987, followed by Sunshine on Leith in 1988—two records that established songs such as Letter from America, I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and Sunshine on Leith. Their career continued with Hit the Highway in 1994, a recording return with Persevere in 2001, and Born Innocent in 2003, produced with Edwyn Collins. Over the years they alternated between acoustic setups and a full band, toured regularly across the UK, North America and Australia, and appeared on stages like Glastonbury. Albums such as Life with You (2007), Notes & Rhymes (2009), Like Comedy (2012), Angry Cyclist (2018) and Dentures Out (2022) expanded a repertoire that mixes personal songs, social observation and politically tinged lyrics.