Tag: folk film

Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off this Friday

TRADITIONAL MUSIC | FOLK FILM | STORYTELLING

A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (1-11 May) thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation. 

In addition to the 65+ events already programmed, there will also be three, free pop-up performances lasting approximately 20 minutes each, and giving audiences and passers-by a taste of Tradfest in a new location:

Edinburgh Airport on Thursday 30 April, 11.30am –  Astro Bloc

Aroma Restaurant and Bar, Broxburn, Saturday 2 May, 11.30am – SAZ

Nobles Bar, Leith, Friday 8 May, 2pm – Dauntless

Edinburgh Tradfest opens at Hangar 5 with two incredible bands headlining: Scotland’s most sought after folk band RURA; and newcomers to the folk scene Astro Bloc, whose music offers an exhilarating mix of heritage and innovation. 

Over the weekend the music highlights continue with siblings Séamus and Caoimhe celebrating the culture of their Connemara homeland with dexterous instrumentals and beautiful blood harmonies; folk song sensation and multi award-winner Kim Carnie; an early evening concert with fiddler Eilidh Shaw (who is replacing Laura Jane Wilkie) and guitar legend Ian Carr; centuries old folk music from Rajasthani music sensation SAZ; African singing and step-dancing workshops; and late night sessions in the Traverse Bar. 

In addition, folk musicians playing at any level, can take part in #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay on Saturday 2 May, by uploading a Strathspey tune online, or by joining fiddlers Sam Mabbett, Dylan Cairns, Eilidh Shaw and Angus Lyon for a live afternoon of Scottish music to celebrate the beauty of the humble Strathspey.

Plus, anyone under 5 years and their family can join in an afternoon of songs, actions and non-stop dancing with award-winning folk singer, primary music school teacher, and parent to a lively pre-schooler Fiona Hunter (Malinky), who will be hosting this year’s relaxed performance on Sunday afternoon.

Other hot tickets include The Furrow Collective with a final performance by Rachel Newton who is leaving the band; RANT (Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame); the Brian Molley Quartet tracing the Scottish roots of jazz; virtuoso musician Tim Edey; banjo-playing singer-songwriter from Montreal Kaïa Kater; The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter, a vaudeville act seemingly from the 1920s with Montreal based songwriter Li’l Andy taking on the fictional persona of “Hezekiah Procter”; Gen Z old-time combo The Onlies from Seattle; Scandinavian string trio Northern Resonance; and acclaimed singer, composer, and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva performing her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian grooves, jazz-tinged arrangements and electronic soundscapes.

One of the most unmissable events in this year’s programme has to be singer songwriter Josie Duncan’s new music commission on Monday night: A’ Chiad Litir (The First Letter), celebrating the life of Scots 16th century poet Marie Maitland whose works explored themes of same-sex attraction. Joining Josie on stage will be Charlotte Printer (bass), Chloë Bryce (fiddle), Eilidh Rogers(percussion), Jenny Clifford (guitar) and historian and author Ashley Douglas reading from Marie’s poems.

At the Storytelling Centre there will also be online talks and workshops discussing traditional dance, craft, music and storytelling with guest speakers including author, scholar, dancer and dance teacher Pat Ballantyne and CEO of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) Steve Byrne. Plus, there will be two storytelling performances: The Corpse Road on Sunday 3 May with Daniel Serridge and Heather Cartwright, about the Cumbrian roads that for many, formed their final journey to the grave; and The Cold Heart with storyteller Franziska Droll and musician Greg Harradine exploring the terrible cost that comes with the desire for wealth and belonging.

At the Cameo, the 12th edition of Scotland’s Folk Film Gathering also gets underway this weekend with the World premiere of a new documentary exploring the life and work of Gaelic singer and weaver Jimmy Hutchison, alongside a one-off live concert from Jimmy and his protegé Erika Douglas.

Other folk film highlights include Women in Resistance, a special double bill celebrating cross-cultural solidarities between Scotland and Peru; rarely-screened early short films from pioneering Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas; and Heiny Srour’s groundbreaking Lebanese drama-documentary Leila and the Wolves introduced by Scottish-Palestinian poet Nada Shawa. 

The Folk Film Gathering runs until 10 May and closes with a special screening of the newly-remastered 1954 Ukrainian classic Andriesh, and a live performance from the Edinburgh Ukrainian choir.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Over the past few months we have booked the most incredible bands we can find, sorted food and accommodation, checked all our sound equipment is in place, liaised with our  programming partners, and  briefed all our lovely technical, front of house and production teams.

“We are marketing like crazy in any way we can think of so we are ready. All we need now is YOU, the audience. We have just the best line-up ever so come and check it out. A good time is guaranteed!”

Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May to Monday 11 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com   

Edinburgh Tradfest in full swing until 13 May

Julie Fowlis and Laura Wilkie who close this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest

Edinburgh Tradfest is now in full swing and seeing a fantastic turnout of audiences to its 11 day programme of events across the city.

The Festival runs until Monday 13 May and this weekend sees a continuation of its packed programme of traditional live music, storytelling and folk film.

Highlights coming up include: Edinburgh Tradfest’s closing concert at the Assembly Rooms (13 May) with vocal superstar Julie Fowlis andhighly respected fiddler Laura Wilkie. Julie Fowlis, forever recognised for singing the theme songs to Disney Pixar’s Brave, and singing live at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow XX Commonwealth Games. will grace the stage with her crystalline and intoxicating vocals, accompanied by special guest Laura Wilkie whose debut solo album Vent – an instrumental exploration or traditional Gaelic waulking songs, is released on 5 July. Laura will perform with musician Ian Carr on guitar/harmonium.

International musicians will also take centre stage, including raucous fiddlers Lena Jonsson and Brittany Haas (8 May), whose powerful fiddle playing is intricate and heart-rending.

Plus, two of Finland’s most visionary musicians Lau Nau and Pekko Käppi will perform their accompanying music score for Je’Vida the first every film made in the Skolt Sami dialect (spoken by only around 300 people) on Fri 10 May, followed by a concert at the Scottish Storytelling Centre that same evening.

Newly formed bands and new work coming up includes Triptic (Greg Lawson, Phil Alexander and Mario Caribe from Moishe’s Bagel) on Fri 10 May and Birdvox (Sarah Hayes, Jenny Sturgeon, Charlotte Printer and Inge Thomson) on Thursday who will debut this Festival. Plus, Malin Lewis launches their new album Halocline (Wed 8 May), Norman&Corrie whose music transcends both jazz and folk will present new music created in Shetland for their forthcoming album later this year (Thu 9 May); and storyteller Daiva Ivanauskatie and musician Gaynor Barradell explore the silence between generations in Fire from the Woods at the Storytelling Centre this Saturday.

New young bands showcasing their talents at our ETF Spotlight event on Sunday 12 May include Miguel Giräo whose latest release The Northern Isles Suite is a collection of music for solo guitar composed of traditional melodies from Orkney and Shetland; Elír who take traditional songs from Scotland and Ireland and merge them with an eclectic range of influences to produce a unique sound (Niamh MacKaveney, David Lombardi, Calum McIlroy); Noah Scott & Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul from Skye who won the Danny Kyle Award at this year’s Celtic Connections; and Beatha a vibrant folk trio (Iona Reid, Kenneth Macfarlane, Cam Lawson) whose traditional folk melodies are infused with a contemporary flair.

Plus, there will be a full weekend of workshops on everything from traditional Zimbabwean song and Scottish step dance, to how to sign, how to improve your onstage patter, and how your favourite music can provide a springboard to your own songwriting ambitions with Evie Waddell, Bruce Ncube, Svend-Erik Engh, Anna-Wendy Stevenson and Karine Polwart.

And, finally, on Friday and Saturday night there will be late night music in the Traverse bar from 22:30 until late with Isla Ratcliff and Dominic Blaikie, and Simon Bradley and Anna-Wendy Stevenson leading the sessions.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people enjoying this year’s programme and the artists are just having THE best time.

“We’re only half way through and we have a huge weekend coming up, so we really hope that the crowds continue and first-timers and regulars will come along, support the artists and have a great time.”

Edinburgh Tradfest runs from Friday 3 May to Monday 13 May.

For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com