THE Proclaimers are so excited about the Mathew Street Festival they would walk 231 miles to play there.
At least, that'sthe distance between their home town of Leith in Edinburgh and Liverpool, which hosts Europe's biggest free city centre festivals between August 25 to 28.
Identical twins Craig and Charlie Reid will play a one-hour set on the Pier Head stage at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 26.
The brothers have played together for the past 23 years and are probably best known for the singles Letter from America, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), used in the soundtrackof the Johnny Depp film Benny and Joon, and I'm On My Way which can be heard in Shrek.
Liverpool is a favoured venue for Craig and Charlie and they made a surprise appearance at a gig by Hoylake's The Coral in December 2003.
Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "The Proclaimers are one of the great Scottish bands and always leave audiences wanting more.
"They are agreat live band and they'll make sure the weekend begins in style.
"This year's festival lineup is reallytaking shape and should appeal to people of all tastes and ages."
Seventy-six bands, from as far afield as Argentina, will perform in Liverpool over the four days of the festival, which has stead-ily grown since it began in
1992. An impressive 370,000 people attended last year, when headliners The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks played the main stage. More big name acts are expected to be announced as the festival nears.
