Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Kathleen MacInnes (pictured) is appearing at
Orkney Folk Festival which runs from 23-26 May ..... full info @ www.orkneyfolkfestival.com www.facebook.com/Kathleen-MacInnes-188668725348837
INSIDE:
Killin Music Festival :: Stonehaven Folk Festival :: Oban Live :: Knockengorroch :: HebCelt :: True North :: Cumnock Tryst ..... PLUS our Scottish music festival listings
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Last Ticket Batch for Killin Music Festival Killin :: 14-16 June :: www.killinmusicfestival.com BUY YOUR TICKETS @ www.killinmusicfestival.com
Killin Music Festival has released the last batch of tickets for their fourth annual festival, which runs from Friday 14 June through to Sunday 16 June.
The 'young dudes' are ready for KMF ..... encouraging the next generation!
The event takes place in the picturesque village of Killin, at the west end of Loch Tay. Ticket buyers have ploughed through the previous batches, so the final limited release of tickets is expected to go fast. “It’s a perfect distance away for a day trip and we get to sleep in our own beds when we get home!” said one 2018 festival goer. Another reveller from 2017 added “it’s the best value for money music festival we have attended so far”. The festival offers some of the best music Scotland has to offer in one of the most beautiful places in the Highlands. Although the line-up is impressive, the event is scaled down, so that performances are intimate, and the bar areas are sociable (no mile-long queues to get your drink!). There is something for all tastes – from a relaxed seated concert to bouncing night-time shows. All events are indoors or under cover, so there is no need to fear the temperamental weather. There are also a variety of free fringe events taking place during the weekend, including the second festival stage, competitions and a craft fair. Festival goers will have a chance to take in the stunning scenery and warm hospitality the historic area has to offer. around Scotland. The full festival line-up can be found on the website. For 2019 the festival welcomes the most exciting traditional music bands Hurry now to make sure you get your hands on tickets for a fantastic around, including headliners Trail West, Elephant Sessions and Siobhan weekend of music and merriment in the heart of Scotland. Miller. This year sees different genres taking to the stage, including soulfunk phenomenon Tom McGuire and the Brassholes, and fresh indie band www.killinmusicfestival.com The 101. There will again be music in the Portnellan Tent from Headland, www.twitter.com/KillinMusicFest Dlù and Greig Taylor. Access to the tent is free of charge and perfect for www.facebook.com/killinmusicfest a family day out. The tent will also be showcasing young talent from
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Old Friends And New Prepare For Stonehaven Folk Festival Stonehaven :: 11-14 July :: www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk BUY YOUR TICKETS @ www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk/tickets/
The 31st Stonehaven Folk Festival is all set to go – it runs from the 11-14 July and provides a weekend of Concerts, sessions, workshops, sing-arounds and fun. Featuring some of the great names of Scottish and Irish music and song. Tickets are now on sale and are proving very very popular!
This is followed by the Chorus Cup – a light hearted competition to find the best chorus The festival kicks off on the Thursday night with singer and song. Things wind down in the a big welcoming session held in the Town Hall, a evening with the farewell concert in the Town chance to meet old friends and make some new Hall featuring the Steph Geremia Trio, Gnoss ones. The Festival really gets going on the and Duncan Chisholm, often followed by a Friday night with an opening concert in the Town session in a local bar. Hall featuring Hannah Rarity, Dowally and Main Guests for 2019 are ..... Dervish, Sessions in some of the bars, Late night Concert and singarounds and more Friday Night Concert :: sessions. Hannah Rarity – powerful vocals, winner of BBC Saturday there are things to do all day. The day Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the kicks off with workshops in the Community Year 2018, Hannah is “one to watch” according Centre and then a free concert in the Market to the Scotsman. Square featuring Festival guests and local Dowally - 2019 Danny Kyle open stage finalist artists. There is also an afternoon singaround Dowally bring something new and slightly hosted by Danny Couper and a children’s show different to this year's line up. They make for the family. Highlight of the afternoon for many is the World Paper’n’Comb Championship, unclassifiable, thrillingly energetic music, fusing their love of traditional Scottish tunes with jazz a regular feature of the festival and always entertaining. There is an evening concert in the harmony, Balkan rhythms and deep Americana raucousness. Town Hall featuring Malinky and Breabach, followed by a late concert and singaround. Dervish – One of Ireland’s top traditional bands, Sunday starts off with a splash – the Aqua Ceilidh, held in Stonehaven’s Art Deco open air pool. Dancing to a live ceilidh band playing for old favourites Drip the Willow, Splashing White Sergeant and more. There are workshops and concert in the Market Square in the afternoon and a special “tradition Bearers” concert featuring some of the best singers from the UK. Dervish - www.facebook.com/dervishofsligo :: photo by Collin Gillen
their belt and an extensive tour roster across the globe, they have become one of the most distinctive and accomplished bands on the Scottish folk scene. With two folklore and traditional music graduates amongst their ranks, Malinky combine a deep knowledge of tradition with a subtly creative approach Breabach - Breabach unite the talents of Megan Henderson (Fiddle, Vocals), James Lindsay (Double Bass, Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Bagpipes, Whistle, Bouzouki, Vocals), James Duncan Mackenzie (Bagpipes, Flute, Whistle) and Ewan Robertson (Guitar, Vocals, Cajon). Acknowledging and respecting the origins of both the music they play and the roots of the band whilst embracing the future with new ideas, energy and belief is a key attribute of the band Sunday Night Concert ::
Steph Geremia Trio - Steph Geremia is an Irish American multi-instrumentalist and singer highly regarded as one of the finest musicians of her generation. Perhaps best known as a traditional they have been bringing Irish traditional music Irish flute player she has also impressed as a to the world for more than 29 years. This is a rare treat to get hem playing in Scotland as they singer, presenting her own identity of a breathy Celtic vocal style mixed with a hint of her spend most of their time touring Europe and American roots. America. Saturday Night Concert :: Malinky - With four acclaimed albums under
Gnoss - A dynamic young four-piece on fiddle, mandolin, flute, whistles, guitar, bodhran and vocals, Glasgow-based rising stars Gnoss are winning widespread praise for fresh yet sensitive treatments of traditional Scottish, original and Americana material. Duncan Chisholm - Duncan Chisholm is one of Scotland’s most recognised and accomplished fiddle players and composers. Fiddle playing at its best, Duncan’s feather-light handling of dynamics and ornamentation, allied with his pure-distilled tone, lend his characteristic spinetingling magic to his music. Duncan will be playing with Jarlath Henderson, Hamish Napier and Innes Watson Stonehaven Folk Festival was established in 1989 and the 2019 festival will be the 31st. It is a registered charity (sc024654) and run by a dedicated team of volunteers. In 2018 the Festival established a new Guinness World record for having the World’s Largest Ceilidh Band.
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DMS and Argyll Cèilidh Trail win Oban Live Slot Oban :: 7-8 June :: www.obanlive.com BUY YOUR TICKETS @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oban-live-2019-tickets-51866388765
Edinburgh rock band DMS and Argyll Cèilidh Trail have won a slot at Argyll’s biggest outdoor live music concert Oban Live. The Scottish Sea Farms Unsigned Oban Live 2019 competition launched in February offering one slot on the line-up for a local Oban act and one slot for an act from the rest of Scotland. Panelists including BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway selected a shortlist and it was then down to the public to vote for their favourite to win from each category. Over 31,000 votes were received during the campaign. Winning the local category with 49% of the votes were Argyll Cèilidh Trail, an eight-piece band composed of Argyll’s finest young traditional musicians. Organised by Oban based charity Fèis Latharna, the annual Cèilidh Trail programme involves a three-week summer tour of Argyll & the Isles. They released a debut EP in 2018, described by fRoots as “hugely promising and richly textured, exhilarating up tempo instrumentals with some gorgeous singing” and are currently recording their second EP. The band captures audience attention with their driving, rhythmic tune sets which are delicately
DMS :: www.facebook.com/dmsscotland contrasted by traditional Gaelic songs and slow haunting melodies. They competed against local musicians 4Below, S-Mac and Crackin’ Craic who were all selected for the local category shortlist. DMS won the Scotland wide category with 43%
of the votes. The Edinburgh rock band has been building a solid fanbase in their home city for the past couple of years as well as performing across the UK. They played to a full house at the city’s popular Liquid Room venue at the launch of their second single "Tight Jeans" in November and have just released another single “DIRT” which has received airplay on Amazing Radio with Jim Gellatly. The band this year are looking to expand beyond their home town with Oban Live 2019 now a firm addition to their gig calendar. DMS competed in the Scotland category shortlist against Banshee, The Youth & Young, November Lights and Lisa Kowalski. The winning bands each receive a slot on the event’s 2019 line-up as well as a slot at the Official Oban Live After Party at The View, Oban plus £300 towards expenses. Daniel Gillespie, Managing Director for Oban Live said: “A massive congratulations to DMS and Argyll Ceilidh Trail. We can’t wait to see them perform at Oban Live this year, two fantastic additions to our 2019 line-up from very different and exciting genres of music. A big thanks to everyone who entered and voted and also to our new campaign sponsors Scottish Sea Farms.” Daniel added: “We were really impressed with the standard of musicianship that we were presented with in this campaign, it is a real testament to the range of talented musicians we have both here on our doorstep in Oban and across Scotland. ”
www.obanlive.com Argyll Cèilidh Trail :: www.facebook.com/ArgyllCeilidhTrail
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Talented Dumfries and Galloway acts set to take Knockengorroch by storm Dumfries and Galloway :: 23-26 May :: www.knockengorroch.org.uk
the mns collection ….
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A string of musical talent from Dumfries and Galloway are set to take the Knockengorroch Festival by storm when they perform at the world music event later this month. The festival’s Celtic Longhouse Stage will be the atmospheric, participatory heart of the festival and play host to a strong thread of talent from the local area, alongside an eclectic mix of international acts from the traditional and electronic music scene. Among the local acts taking to the festival’s unique Longhouse – the ‘hearth’ of the event – are celebrated Stranraer singer Robyn Stapleton and Dumfries songbird Claire Hastings. A respected folk singer and former BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the year, Robyn will perform the traditional songs of her Scottish and Irish heritage for audience in the Scots, English and Gaelic language. Dumfries lass Claire has enjoyed wide critical acclaim and will charm Knockengorroch crowds with her effortless Scots vocals as she takes on a set of traditional and original songs in the Longhouse, accompanied by her ukulele and guitar. Knockengorroch will also be a home-town festival for Galloway group, The Galloway Agreement. This exciting new collaboration features established musicians Gavin Marwick (fiddle), Wendy Stewart (clarsach, vocals), Ruth Morris (alto, tenor nyckelharpa) and Stuart Macpherson (double bass) who will play a mixture of original compositions and favourite tunes and songs from Scotland and beyond. The performance will be a trip down memory lane for fiddler Gavin who played at the very first Knockengorroch Festival in 1998.
Robyn Stapleton :: photo by Louise Bichan
of the region’s leading musical lights to the stage, and to take the party late into the night.”
The full billing for Knockengorroch Longhouse is:: Claire Hastings, Robyn Stapleton, Galloway Agreement, Alan McClure, John Langan, Avocet, The Lasses, Muckle Spree, Ceitidh Mac, Flew the Arrow, Mina Thewes, Delightful Squalor, Fish to Fry, The Outland Trio, The Moonlands and Kuchke. The Longhouse sessions continue into the night, The Longhouse building’s green turf roof, traditional hosted by top musicians :: Nick Jenkins, Sam wattle and daub walls and traditional lum over the Gillespie, Sianni Moodie, Toby Mottershead, Luisa fireplace are set to create a truly special and intimate Brown, Freya Rae, Tara Cunningham and Joel spot for audiences to enjoy the music. Sanderson Knockengorroch festival organiser Liz Holmes, said: “Showcasing local talent is very important to us and we’re delighted so many can join the bill at the most vibrant and grassroots spot in the festival. This year’s programme in Knockengorroch Longhouse is especially rich and it is a pleasure to welcome some
The Longhouse stage is supported by Creative Scotland.
www.knockengorroch.org.uk
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Hebcelt's 'Islands Stage' To Be Sponsored By 'Lewis Wind Power' for Fifth Successive Year Hebrides :: 17-20 July :: www.hebceltfest.com BUY YOUR TICKETS @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/
An exciting and diverse line-up has been confirmed for the Hebridean Celtic Festival’s Islands Stage which will be sponsored by Lewis Wind Power for a fifth successive year.
year’s Celtic Connections. FARA, which brings together four exceptional young musicians from Orkney, are next up, followed by The Kris Drever Trio, featuring the renowned singer songwriter who has also enjoyed success as a solo artist and as part of folk band Lau.
The Friday line-up also includes widelyacclaimed London-based songwriting duo Ferris The multi award-winning festival will be held for & Sylvester and Irish multi-award-winning the 24th time from 17-20 July in Lewis and quartet JigJam, who blend traditional Irish music Harris. with Bluegrass and Americana in a genre known The ongoing partnership with Lewis Wind Power, as I-Grass. developer of the Stornoway Wind Farm, fits with Starting Saturday’s programme will be Jamie the event’s environmentally-friendly ethos for MacDonald & Christian Gamauf, who earned which it has won a number of awards. their stage slot by winning a competition for The Islands Stage programme, featuring 12 acts young talent organised by the festival and Lews from different parts of the UK, gets under way Castle College UHI, part of the University of the on Thursday 18 July with acclaimed Highlands and Islands, for performers who are contemporary Gaelic singer Kim Carnie, followed studying, or who have studied, on one of the by six-piece traditional outfit, Beinn Lee, from college’s music programmes. Uist, who released their debut album last year They will be followed by Jake Morrell, from and issued a new single in April. Norfolk, who was asked to play at Glastonbury The Benedict Morris Trio, featuring this year’s after festival boss Emily Eavis heard him on the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician radio; Glasgow-based roots outfit Awkward of the Year, will be first on stage on Friday. Family Portraits; Hands Up For Trad, Battle of Fiddle player Benedict secured a HebCelt the Folk Bands 2018 winners Eabhal, from South invitation after winning a competition at this Uist; and folk band Talisk who secured a
Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music at the recent Scottish Trad Music Awards. HebCelt Director Caroline Maclennan said: “We are extremely grateful to Lewis Wind Power for continuing their generous support for a fifth successive year. This significant ongoing partnership allows us to put together another very strong Islands Stage programme.” Kerry MacPhee, Community Liaison, Lewis Wind Power, said: "Lewis Wind Power is delighted to continue with its sponsorship of the Islands Stage for another year, given HebCelt’s place as the islands’ flagship event. “The Islands Stage has become a key part of HebCelt with some great bands over the years and some great new musical finds. I'm sure that this year will be no exception. “We wish Caroline and all the team every success with this year’s festival.” The 24th HebCelt will feature almost 30 international acts in the main arena programme - including headliners KT Tunstall, The Shires and Tide Lines- as well as events in various venues in Lewis and Harris.
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Martha Healy on the Lewis Wind Power Islands Stage in 2018 :: www.facebook.com/marthalhealy photo by Fiona Rennie
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The Twilight Sad to headline 2019 True North Festival in Aberdeen Aberdeen :: 19-22 September :: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/truenorth BUY YOUR TICKETS @ www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/music/true-north-the-twilight-sad-with-support-from-aidan-moffat-and-rm-hubbert/2407
Scottish indie rockers The Twilight Sad have been revealed as the first headline act at Aberdeen’s award-winning music festival, True North, when it returns to the city for its fifth year in September. Widely revered as one of the best acts to emerge from Scotland in the last decade, the band will take to the stage at the redeveloped Music Hall on Saturday 21 September. Endorsed by Robert
The Twilight Sad :: www.facebook.com/thetwilightsad Smith of The Cure and acclaimed by fans and critics alike, and with five albums under their belt, The Twilight Sad are known for their loud and lively performances, notable for their impressive ‘sonic walls’ of sound, accompanied by singer James Graham’s thick Scottish accent. True North is produced by Aberdeen Performing Arts and this year will take place from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 September, with the Music Hall joining the Lemon Tree as the focal points of the festival which will include notable gigs, one-off curated concerts, workshops, talks and events across the city. The full line-up for the festival will be announced in the coming weeks. True North was named Best Cultural Festival or Event in the 2017 Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism awards, and 2018 saw the festival shortlisted as a finalist in the Scottish Culture Awards, beating off competition from hundreds of entrants to reach the final four in the Cultural Event of the Year category. Aberdeen Performing Arts Director of Programming and Creative Projects, Ben Torrie, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to announce The Twilight Sad as the headliners for the fifth True North festival. They are an outstanding band and haven’t been in Aberdeen for several years, so it will be great to have them here for this exclusive performance. RM Hubbert :: www.facebook.com/rmhubbert
“True North has built up a formidable reputation over the past five years as Aberdeen’s music festival, having gained momentum and recognition for excellent programming and as a
signature event in the city’s fantastic cultural offering. “Having the Music Hall open again enables us to do something slightly different this year, and the Twilight Sad is the perfect start.” The Twilight Sad gig will open with special guests Arab Strap vocalist Aidan Moffat alongside guitarist and singer RM Hubbert. Aidan Moffat is known for exploring subjects in his music with a grace and grit that plunges deep into the human soul. Teaming up with friend and collaborator, singer and guitarist, RM Hubbert, this promises to be a memorable start to the evening’s proceedings. Aberdeen Performing Arts Programming Manager, Steven Milne, said: “It will be great to have Aidan and RM Hubbert play the festival this year. Aidan’s previous visits to True North both with Arab Strap and Bill Wells have been real highlights of previous festival line ups, so we can’t wait to see them play as the perfect opener for The Twilight Sad. Tickets for the Twilight Sad at the Music Hall on Saturday, September 21, are now on sale, and are available from the link above, by phone on 01224 641122 or in person at the box office at the Music Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre or the Lemon Tree.
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Sir James MacMillan reveals the sixth and most diverse Cumnock Tryst programme yet Cumnock :: 3-6 October :: www.cumnocktryst.com TICKETS @ www.thecumnocktryst.com/tickets-overview/
Sir James MacMillan recently announced the sixth and most diverse Cumnock Tryst yet with a varied programme from international soprano superstar Danielle de Niese to The Farmers Choir via Barbara Dickson.
Barbara Dickson :: www.facebook.com/barbaradicksonofficial
The festival will take place from 3-6 October in and around the village of Cumnock in Ayrshire, where he grew up. The most diverse festival programme so far, this year’s concerts range from the first solo recital in Scotland by magnetic soprano Danielle de Niese to new work from Jay Capperauld and Gillian Walker, and informal evenings at the Dumfries Arms Hotel this year including Barbara Dickson and the Farmers Choir. As ever, The Cumnock Tryst welcomes a group of musicians as its resident artists, this year Mr McFall’s Chamber and also forefronts music education as part of the main programme including the chance for audiences to see inside the compositional process in a public masterclass. RESIDENT ARTISTS ..... Mr McFall’s Chamber are the Tryst’s Artists in Residence this year, taking part in events on all four days of the Festival. Renowned for their innovative approach to programming and stylistic plurality they are a perfect fit for the Tryst having been formed with the aim of creating new audiences, new music and new directions in music.
“It has always been my hope and intention to bring a wide range of music to The Tryst. Barbara Dickson’s wide and full musical life-experience, covering folk, pop, rock and musical theatre will be perfect for our first late night concert in the Dumfries Arms Hotel. She will bring real stardust and variety.” Sir James MacMillan
Mr McFall’s Chamber will be joined by the great Scottish choir Cappella Nova in the opening concert in a programme ranging from Penderecki to Michael Murray, the local composer from Auchinleck whose guitar concerto has just received its US premiere following its first performance MUSIC EDUCATION ..... at the Tryst in 2017. Two new hard-hitting and visionary works by Murray This Tryst offers everyone a chance to witness the process of composition mark a move to choral music continuing his exciting development. and improvisation in the festival’s first public masterclass with Sir James MacMillan and Jennifer Martin. CHORAL TREATS ..... Later in the Tryst, Majesty sees Cappella Nova bring an intriguing programme of early Scottish music exploring Scotland’s musical evolution from the time just before the Reformation to the sounds which emerged in the wake of the changes. Mixing the complex and florid Catholic sounds of Robert Carver with the more austere and simple beauties of the immediate post-Reformation composers like Robert Johnson, this concert allows a beautifully crafted glimpse into the shared musical treasury of Scottish history.
With the musicians of Mr McFall’s Chamber, they will lead a group of young wind players from Auchinleck and Cumnock Concert Band through the process of making music on the spot, allowing the audience to observe the compositional process in action, under the direction of some of the most imaginative and creative musicians in Scotland today.
possible post-death scenarios which reveal unexpected and inventive possibilities for the afterlife. This performance consists of new compositions by the rising star Scottish composer Jay Capperauld, whose thrilling conceptual works have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on numerous occasions. The music will be performed by two prizewinning graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Lewis Banks (Saxophone) and Marianna Abrahamyan (Piano), whose combined abilities as a musical duo have earned them debut recitals at top London venues such as The Purcell Room and St Martin in the Fields in 2019. The performance will also seamlessly integrate a number of short films from Manchester-based director Paul Wright, whose recent film Fissure has been subject to strong critical acclaim.
STAR TURN ..... Danielle de Niese has been hailed as “opera’s coolest soprano” - multifaceted artist, de Niese has gained wide recognition for her superb stagecraft, assured singing and her ability to communicate on every level.
Flow Gently? on Friday afternoon is the culmination of a fascinating creative project involving Mr McFall’s Chamber, young composers from Auchinleck Academy, dancers and string players, four composers from The Tryst finishes with a choral flourish. The Festival Chorus and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the wonderful production team Novantae Singers are set to raise the roof with a mix of Handel’s timeless at The Citizen’s Theatre. and stunning choral music Zadok the Priest, Let thy hand be From June, composers James MacMillan and Jennifer Martin will be strengthened and The King shall rejoice. teaching a group from Auchinleck Academy to write their own music for NEW WORK ..... the Tryst’s artists-in-residence, Mr McFall’s Chamber. Each work is Afterlife is a cutting-edge new music and film project based around the inspired by a moment in the life of Robert Burns and Burns himself will be fictional work Sum by bestselling author David Eagleman. with us at Cumnock Academy, to share his thoughts on the proceedings, played by the wonderful Scottish actor Martin Docherty. Sum - 40 Tales from the Afterlives is a collection of vignettes exploring
Held in the splendour of Dumfries House, this year’s Promenade Concert features Simon Smith (piano), Maximiliano Martín (clarinet) and the strings of Mr McFall’s Chamber. This year’s Promenade Concert includes the World Premiere of a Cumnock Tryst Festival Commission from Gillian Walker, a young composer who worked with the festival in 2018 on The Chronicles of Cumnock and whose work will hit an international platform for the first time as part of this Tryst. JAMES MACMILLAN’S 60TH BIRTHDAY ..... Of course, with the world celebrating Sir James MacMillan’s 60th birthday year, The Tryst had to find its own way of marking it. In The Cumnock Hour, James Knox (Chair of Boswell Book Festival) interviews Phillip Cooke about his new book, The Music of James MacMillan, which is the first in-depth look at his life, work and aesthetic.
FESTIVAL CLUB ..... On the Friday and Saturday evenings the buzz is to be found at the Festival Club at the Dumfries Arms Hotel. Tickets are free and can be booked in advance for a chance to enjoy music alongside a drink and snacks from 9.45pm each evening of the Tryst. On Friday evening Sax Ecosse, a quartet of saxophone players which includes local New Cumnockian composer is set to entertain. The Tryst has always taken a special interest in ordinary people who do extraordinary things in music. This year the Festival welcomes a truly brilliant initiative – the collection of Scottish farmers, their family and friends established as a choir in 2013 – The Farmers Choir perform at the Festival Club on Saturday night. The first evening of the festival sees Barbara Dickson and Nick Holland bring an intimate show to The Cumnock Tryst in the evening slot at the Dumfries Arms.
www.cumnocktryst.com
www.twitter.com/TheCumnockTryst www.facebook.com/thecumnocktryst
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MAY Orkney Folk Festival Orkney 23-26 May
Glasgow Jazz Festival
Stonehaven Folk
Glasgow’s longest running music festival and music fans across the city won’t be far from unmissable live jazz with a diverse and exciting programme. The Glasgow International Jazz Festival was founded in 1987, when Glasgow was bidding to become the European City of Culture for 1990. The City had studied the competition and worked out that all major cities in Europe had a jazz festival. If they had one, then so should Glasgow. From the very beginning, the Glasgow International Jazz Festival brought some of the biggest names of jazz to the City.
The pretty North East coastal town of Stonehaven comes alive with a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary “Folk” music and song ….. concerts, ceilidh, sessions, singarounds, workshops, the famous aqua ceilidh and world paper’n’comb championships!
Glasgow 19-23 June
One of Scotland’s longest-running folk festivals, celebrating its 37th outing in 2019, the Orkney Folk Festival is one of the most prolific events in the Scottish and UK folk calendars, and one of the highlights of Orkney’s diary of community events. An entirely voluntary run event, the festival annually attracts artists from all corners of the folk world - from leading international names to up and coming fresh faces - to Stromness, in Orkney’s West Mainland, for four days of concerts, ceilidhs, clubs, sessions, talks www.jazzfest.co.uk and craic. Artists and audiences are welcomed by and into Orkney’s own thriving folk scene, with Orcadian artists providing around two thirds St Magnus Festival of the festival programme. Line-up announced 21-27 June across December-March, with tickets on sale in Orkney April, around six weeks ahead of the event. www.orkneyfolkfestival.com
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Galloway 23-26 May
The magical atmosphere of Orkney at midsummer, its ancient landscape and unique performance settings blend together to create a very special experience for audiences. Performances take place across the Orkney Islands, in venues as diverse as a tall ship, outdoor gardens, a sports centre and the great medieval cathedral of St Magnus in Kirkwall.
Knockengorroch's 2019 line-up will feature some www.stmagnusfestival.com of the best home-grown Scottish talent alongside an eclectic mix of international acts, all coming together to create a melting pot of innovative traditional and electronic music.
JULY
www.knockengorroch.org.uk
JUNE Oban Live
Oban 7-8 June 2019
XpoNorth Festival
www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
HebCelt
Hebrides 18-20 July Advance weekend tickets for next year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival, to be held from 18-20 July 2019, are available from the festival website. Day tickets and those for opening shows, late night activities and community events in Lewis and Harris go on sale next year when the full festival programme is finalised. www.hebceltfest.com
Doune the Rabbit Hole Port of Menteith 19-21 July
Doune the Rabbit Hole is an intimate family friendly, dog loving independent music & arts festival located amidst the glorious ancient oak trees of the Cardross Estate in Port of Menteith. See you there! www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk
Inverness 3-4 July
AUGUST
The annual Inverness-based XpoNorth, formerly goNORTH, is Scotland’s leading creative industries festival and offers delegates access to an exceptional creative programme. The conference and showcase take place over two vibrant days and nights in the Highland capital.
Fringe by the Sea
Early bird tickets for Oban Live 2019, Argyll’s biggest outdoor music concert, are to go on sale www.xponorth.co.uk on Saturday November 10, the event team has announced. The event, started in 2016 by one of Tiree Music Festival Scotland’s finest musical exports Skerryvore, takes place on June 7 and 8 next year at Tiree Mossfield Stadium in Oban, Argyll, on the west 12–14 July coast of Scotland.
TMF is celebrating the fastest ever ticket sales for the annual festival, with 750 early bird tickets selling out in just 52 minutes and all Glamping and Campervan tickets selling out in just 10 Killin Music Festival minutes, an unprecedented record for the Killin festival that will help mark its 10th edition. 2019 14-16 June will see the 2000 capacity festival celebrate its 10th birthday and a special year of celebrations An electric three day festival of music featuring will mark the decade, beginning in January with live bands and artists on the main stage, as well TIREE: A Toast to 10 Years of Tiree Music as fringe events throughout the area over the Festival show at Celtic Connections. This one-off weekend. The packed 2019 lineup includes: night will be hosted by Tiree natives Skerryvore Elephant Sessions // Trail West // Siobhan and Trail West at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket Miller // Blue Rose Code // Kinnaris Quintet // where a number of very special guests alongside Torridon // Ryan Young // Gnoss // Tom McGuire brand-new collaborations from musicians who & The Brassholes // Beinn Lee // Eabhal // have played the TMF stages over the last 10 DLÙ // The 101 // Headland // Greig Taylor years. TMF10’s line-up will also be officially Music Blues Combo // Katie & Abi // Open Stage announced in spectacular fashion as part of this Sunday Competition. All remaining tickets are on celebratory night and remaining tickets will also sale now! be released on general sale. www.obanlive.com
www.killinmusicfestival.com
Stonehaven 11-14 July
www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk
North Berwick 2-11 August
Tickets for our first wave of acts for Fringe By The Sea are now on sale. Check out our website for who’ll be joining us in North Berwick this summer, and scroll right down for the full line-up so far, by date. Follow us on social media for more music, comedy, film, family, literature, conversation, wellbeing & exploration announcements over coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming you harbour-side! www.fringebythesea.com
Party at The Palace Linlithgow 10-11 August
This is the sixth outing for the Linlithgow festival and is set to be another highlight in Scotland’s live music calendar. Taking the top spots are The Charlatans and KT Tunstall (Saturday) and Deacon Blue and Wet Wet Wet (Sunday) and the rest of the weekend’s acts are sure to prove a hit with Party at the Palace regulars. It’s only 20 mins from Edinburgh and 35mins from Glasgow, making it one of the most easily accessible music festivals in Scotland. www.partyatthepalace.co.uk
Lindisfarne Festival
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com Beal Farm, Berwick-upon-Tweed 29 August - 1 September An epic 3 day festival on the Northumberland coast, overlooking Holy Isle. Anyone who has been to the Northumberland coast will be well aware of the sheer magnificence of the scenery. Located in a recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), in the UK's voted #1 Holiday Destination, our festival site overlooks the mythical & magical Holy Island of Lindisfarne, boasting breath-taking views stretching from Goswick Sands to the North, to Bamburgh Castle to the South. www.lindisfarnefestival.com
SEPTEMBER Party in the Park Bathgate 1 September
Celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary in 2019 Bathgate's 'Party in the Park' is a yearly family focused music festival with two music stages, childrens rides, free face painting, food, stalls, and lots of fun - it's held in the town's Kirkton Park. There is a main stage and acoustic stage with music on both throughout the day with free entry and no ticket required. A real mix of music from local bands and artists to those further afield. There is no ticket required and no entry fee and as this is geared towards families there is a strict no alcohol policy.
overseas and home-based acts for this year’s five-day-long festival. We are delighted to confirm our dates for our 2019 Americana extravaganza. Please watch this space for details on the first acts confirmed for this year. www.glasgowamericana.com
The Cumnock Tryst Cumnock 3-6 October
A music festival under the leadership of Scottish composer, James MacMillan CBE Cumnock, Scotland. The Cumnock Tryst is an annual event with concerts in venues in and around the town. The programme will feature some of the finest, international classical artists, as well as music and musicians from different backgrounds both stylistically and socially. The Cumnock Tryst aims to make its strong commitment to the community at the heart of all its activities, for instance involving young people at school and college, amateur choirs and local bands. www.thecumnocktryst.com
Ullapool Guitar Festival Ullapool 4-6 October
So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned performers and those, like the students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting www.facebook.com/partyinthepark out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Linlithgow Folk Festival Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: Linlithgow there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone 11-15 September mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or Organisers are promising a real "Feast of Folk" even jamming with them on one of the trade at this year’s festival. Planning for the Linlithgow stands. Folk Festival in 2019 is now underway. Our programme is launched annually in July and will www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com be available here at that time. www.linlithgowfolk.com
Tenement Trail
celebrates the history and culture of Perthshire in the heart of Scotland and showcases the beautiful scenery. It’s a vibrant, welcoming festival with music at its core in beautiful autumnal Perthshire. The Festival Hub is Amber Central (The Royal Hotel, Dunkeld). With concerts from castle to concert hall plus Cabaret Amber, Open Mic + acoustic sessions. Contact 01350 724261 for latest or email admin@butterstone.com www.perthshireamber.com
SEALL Festival of Small Halls Isle of Skye 22-30 November
The Festival of Small Halls on the Isle of Skye brings music to ten remote village halls around the Island and Lochalsh. The SEALL Festival of Small Halls runs for eight days and includes concerts, cèilidhs and public and music workshops in halls and schools by some of the nation’s finest traditional musicians. www.seall.co.uk/small-halls
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Edinburgh 31 December
See in the New Year at the world’s best street party as Edinburgh invites the world to share the love, embrace friends – old and new – and celebrate the New Year in the home of Hogmanay. Get 2020 ready now - take advantage of our Early Bird discount with tickets for £20.00 + £1.00 booking (limited availability). www.edinburghshogmanay.com
JANUARY Celtic Connections Glasgow 16 January - 2 February
Glasgow 12 October
Musicians from across the globe will take part in over 300 events in venues throughout Glasgow for the largest winter music festival of its kind Aberdeen Tenement Trail Festival will move to the East and the UK's premier celebration of Celtic music. 19-22 September End of Glasgow in 2019! We are delighted at this The 18 days of entertainment will brighten up news, as we breathe fresh energy into #TT19, the dark, wet January nights with a mixture of Aberdeen Performing Arts presents True North, taking over some of the most iconic and exciting concerts that include a host of one-off musical Aberdeen’s festival of music and song, live music venues in the country including collaborations alongside talks, workshops, film celebrating the North-east's singer songwriter Barrowland Ballroom, Saint Luke's & The Winged screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, tradition. True North is Aberdeen’s music Ox, BAaD with more to be announced. Stay exhibitions, free events and late-night sessions. festival - located at the heart of the city, the tuned for headliner announcement coming soon. festival features the contemporary music Early Bird Tickets are on sale now! www.celticconnections.com industry’s most interesting, relevant and exciting artists. The festival features a series of unique www.facebook.com/tenementtrail/ performances in city centre venues, a Fringe programme of intimate gigs across the city, and an opportunity to get up close and personal with festival artists.
True North
NOVEMBER
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/truenorth
Perthshire Amber -
The Dougie MacLean Festival
OCTOBER
Perthshire 1-3 November
Glasgow Americana Glasgow 2-6 October
Glasgow Americana has lined up gigs featuring
The Perthshire Amber Festival brings together many musicians and entertainers from different parts of the world who have been involved with Dougie MacLean over the years. This unique festival shares Dougie’s inspiring music,
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