Festivals! Scotland's Music
the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland
Frightened Rabbit celebrate one month to go until The Spree Festival, in Paisley from 13–24 October. See page 11. Tickets available now @ www.thespree.co.uk
INSIDE: Lammermuir Festival :: Glasgow Americana :: Taproot :: Ullapool Guitar Festival :: The Spree :: Islay Jazz :: Fèis na Mara :: Celtic Connections :: TradLive ..... PLUS our Scottish music festival listings www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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music news scotland - FESTIVALS!
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Glasgow composer Thomas Butler's world première at Lammermuir Festival East Lothian :: 14-23 September :: www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk Buy tickets @ www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk/tickets/ At this year's Lammermuir Festival in East Lothian The Red Note Ensemble are performing the world première of Glasgow based composer Thomas Butler’s new work Limnology (Slims River) on 22 September.
by Red Note Ensemble, who commission the work. My initial ideas for the piece formed after reading press reports in April about the disappearance of Slims River through “river piracy”. River piracy is when the water destined for one watercourse is naturally diverted into another, a process which usually occurs over long geological Alongside this they will also perform epochs – thousands and millions of years. However, the once-mighty two pieces by David Sawer; the 1928 silent film The Life and Death Slims River in the Yukon, Canada, disappeared in just four days in of 9413, a pioneering work of Spring 2016, a geological blink-ofavant-garde cinema and then The an-eye. The glacier that fed the Lighthouse Keepers with performances by Scott Gilmour and river had receded and suddenly its meltwater could only flow into the Crawford Logan. Alsek River, leaving the Slims to run Drawing on the acoustic techniques dry. This act of river piracy is the used by scientists to measure water first to be attributed to man-made flow, Thomas’s piece is a reflection climate change – scientists studying on the study of rivers, their place in the phenomenon calculate that it is our culture, and the changes they 99.5% certain that anthropogenic portend. global warming is to blame for the river's disappearance. Thomas Butler said: "Limnology (Slims River) is my new piece for The Lammermuir Festival was ensemble, which will be performed born of a conviction that historic at this year's Lammermuir Festival
music and artists.
Thomas Butler
Programme includes Scotland's superstar pianist, Steven Osborne (also our Patron); BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, John Butt both solo harpsichord and directing the Dunedin Consort; Tenebrae; The Orlando Consort with their live sung soundtrack to the famous 1928 Joan of Arc film; the Royal Northern Sinfonia with Lars Vogt (piano/director); Hebrides Ensemble; a Mozart opera...etc.
It's ten days: Friday 14 - Sunday 23 September in venues across East architecture and beautiful landscape Lothian from the majestic, can be an ideal environment in medieaval church of St Mary's in which to experience great music Haddington, to a former granary on and music-making. a farm, the beautiful Lennoxlove The festival was established to bring House and the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh. the finest musicians together with local people and visitors in www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk celebration of music in towns and www.twitter.com/lammermuirfest www.facebook.com/LammermuirFestival villages across the county of East Lothian, nestling between the Lammermuir Hills and the sea. The area’s wealth of beautiful buildings continues to inspire our choice of
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www.SeeTickets.com
event page @ www.facebook.com/events/777762959071670/ tix @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/isle-of-lismore-taproot-festival-near-oban-scotland-tickets-34303135602
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Glasgow Americana Opening Night - 4 October
‘The Late Great Townes Van Zandt Tribute’ Featuring Rachel Sermanni, Jefferson Hamer, Davie Scott, Roseanne Reid, Jonas and Jane, plus special guest
Glasgow :: 4-8 October :: www.glasgowamericana.com Buy tickets @ www.ticketweb.co.uk
This year's Glasgow Americana Festival opening night concert is a tribute to ‘The Late Great Townes Van Zandt’ which will feature Rachel Sermanni, Jefferson Hamer, Davie Scott, Roseanne Reid, Jonas and Jane, plus a special guest. This takes place on 4 October in The Drygate, and it will be an evening celebrating the works of one of the most revered Texan singer/ songwriters. A fantastic concert to open a packed schedule for Glasgow Americana 2017! 'The Late Great Townes Van Zandt Show' has got the blessing of his family as Townes’ son, John has given permission for the title. Bob Dylan described one of Townes’ songs, Pancho and Lefty, as one of the best songs ever written and countless Americana acts cite Townes as a major influence. Each act will sing two Townes’ songs plus one of their own. Picking songs from Townes’ impressive catalogue will be difficult – listening to them re-worked will be easy and a real pleasure. Looking at the festival overall - “We have a terrific range of acts for Glasgow Americana, some well established with others starting to make a real name for themselves,” said Kevin Morris, the festival director.
Townes Van Zandt :: photo by Laurie Ashbrey
FULL FESTIVAL LINE-UP: Wednesday, 4 October - Opening Night - The Late Great Townes Van Zandt, Drygate, 8 pm. Thursday, 5 October - Adam Holmes & The Embers and Rachel Sermanni, Saint Luke’s, 8 pm
Friday, 6 October - An Evening with Slaid “Everyone who buys tickets creates a special Cleaves, St Andrews in the Square, 8pm, no buzz at our shows, and we appreciate their support continuing support and that of Creative Scotland Friday, 6 October - James Edwyn & The and Glasgow City Council as well. Borrowed Band, The Hug and Pint, 8pm
“I hope everyone has a great time!”
Saturday, 7 October - Hazy Recollections with Martha Fields, Ags Connolly, Martha L Healy, Saint Huck plus guests. The Glad Café
(matinee). 4pm Saturday, 7 October - Mark Olson plus Ags Connolly, The Glad Café, 8.30pm Saturday, 7 October - Martha Fields and Roseanne Reid, CCA Cinema, 8.30pm Sunday, 8 October - Jefferson Hamer & John Taylor, The Admiral (matinee) 4.30 pm. Sunday, 8 October - My Darling Clementine, CCA (matinee) 4.30 pm Sunday, 8 October - Song Writers In The Round- featuring Jill Jackson, Dean Owens, and Gareth Dunlop, CCA , 8 pm
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Taproot is a festival to celebrate land and Lismore - the wee festival that digs deep! Isle of Lismore :: 14-17 September :: www.facebook.com/events/777762959071670/ Buy tickets @ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/isle-of-lismore-taproot-festival-near-oban-scotland-tickets-34303135602
Musicians and writers come together on this special island to celebrate Lismore and it's extraordinary heritage and current creative rennaisance at the new Taproot Festival.
Mairi Campbell's 'Pulse' features as part of Taproot
www.facebook.com/MairiCampbellOfficial
A special element to this festival is that all the artists are giving their work for very little money. It's a fundraising festival to assist the continuing work of the Lismore Heritage Centre. Part of the reason of this good-will festival are a number of artists who have been attracted to Mairi Campbell's pioneering creative courses that have taken place on the island for the last 10 years which support artistry and folk culture. Some of those participants are coming back to pay their respects. Bissell. Lismore itself have a large number of writers and Pitch up with your tent and enjoy the fruits of singers, many of whom will be presenting their Scotland's leading writers and musicians. work. Featuring: Mairi Campbell: Pulse; Liz Lochhead Taproot is an extension of the book festival writer; James Kelman and his band - author and which the Heritage centre ran for the last few musician; Alice Fernbank and Svenc-Erik Engh years. This is a new start and an amazing storytellers; Cera Impala and Lake lineup. There's something for everyone, from Montgomery - music; Norman Bissell - writer; children's theatre and storytelling workshops Marion Pallister - writer and Donald Meek with Alice Fernbank to Mairi Campbell's Pulse writer. which was born on Lismore. Liz Lochhead and James Kelman will be sharing a stage along with Grab your 3-day festival tickets or come along to single events and get your ticket on the day! local West Coast poets Donald Meek and Norrie
Enjoy spectacular scenery on the Hebridean island of Lismore, 55 mins by ferry from Oban, Argyll. If you need a place to stay, e-mail Clare Haworth on schaworth@gmail.com Clare is booking co-ordinator for Taproot billeting which we hope will be able to offer you a bed and breakfast. Billeting means you pay a fixed rate of ÂŁ20 pppn and stay with a local on the island. There are other options: camping, renting a cottage and AirBnB.
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August & September tour details @ www.philandaly.com www.thespree.co.uk
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Brighten up your October with a trip the to the 18th Ullapool Guitar Festival mns Ullapool :: 6-8 October :: www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
collection ….
Buy tickets @ www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com
To make the 18th Ullapool Guitar Festival even more attractive the acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter John Smith, whose latest album "Headlong" is doing extremely well, will be playing again this year on 8 October. It’s all for the love of the guitar for John, playing a rumbling fingerstyle and sometimes uses a slide, sometimes plays the guitar on his lap, sometimes he detunes mid-song. His guitar work and honey-ongravel vocals have brought crowds to pin-drop silence and rapturous applause. The festival will also be showing a documentary "Acoustic Uprising" - The film has just premiered in London and is set to tour the world screening at Guitar and film festivals throughout 2017. The film looks at the renaissance the acoustic guitar is having, exploring the impact of the internet on the younger generations, and looking at the rich history and fusion of musical ideas FingerStyle has become known for. It looks at the legacies of people like Michael Hedges, John Fahey, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake and many more. It features interviews and performances with many FingerStyle contemporaries including Tommy Emmanuel, Andy Mckee, Don Ross, Kaki King, Preston Reed and many more. The lineup this year is second to none so don't miss out ..... Sean Shibe, Richard Smith, Gary Ryan, Clive Carroll, Tony McManus, Tim Edey, Adam Palma, John Goldie, Hugh Burns, Andre Krengel & Roland Krause, Rob Foster, Daryl Kellie & Jon Hart, Tristan Seume, David Buckingham, Billy Watman, Julia and Christian Zielinski, Iain Forbes, Adam Bulley, Chas Mackenzie, Will McNicol, Prof Allan Neave and students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Innes Watson, Seonaid Aitken, Patsy Reid, Alice Allen and John Smith.
status and reputation within the guitar world have allowed us to attract the cream of guitarists – over a hundred of them over the years – from around the globe. Our thanks goes out to all of them, patrons and artistes alike. 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 out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or even jamming with them on one of the trade stands. Jim Gillies of Aonich Technologies Limited has this year donated another fabulous guitar to be raffled to raise funds for the 2018 Festival. It plays great, has a great on board pick up system and comes with an excellent hardshell Hiscox case. A real workhorse of a guitar and well worth winning!! 2017 Weekend Tickets cost £150 each and are on sale now. A 'Weekend' ticket entitles you to entry to all 5 concerts, 3 late night festival clubs and all workshops and master classes. See the weblink above for purchase details and other options. Children under 16- all tickets half price. School age children can attend all workshops for free.
So, what is the UGF, and why is it so special? It started in 2000 – oddly enough, to bring business and www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com tourism into the local community in the wake of the www.twitter.com/ully_guitar_fes foot and mouth epidemic. October was chosen as a way of extending the tourist season, and,as sponsors www.facebook.com/Ullapoolguitarfestival came and went, and audiences increased in size, the Festival evolved through performances in local pubs and the village hall to its current (and hopefully longterm) home in the MacPhail Centre. This has all the comfort and facilities associated with a first-class performance venue, including superb acoustics, but also the space to put on workshops, to expand our trade show and to provide excellent catering. The longevity and success of the Festival has been built on two foundations. The first is the solid core of music enthusiasts who not only make the pilgrimage year upon year, but are willing to go that extra mile in what they contribute to ensure that the Festival continues to flourish. The second is a group of musicians who have become permanent features of the Festival – artistes like Hugh Burns, John Goldie and Clive Carroll. Their unwavering support and their
photo by www.adambulleyphotography.com
Read the three MNS digital publications from links at .. www.musicnewsscotland.wordpress.com
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The Spree is back for its sixth year with the biggest names in Scottish music Paisley :: 13-14 October :: www.thespree.co.uk Buy tickets @ www.thespree.co.uk/events/ Paisley’s National Festival and one of the biggest events in Scotland’s cultural calendar, The Spree is back for its sixth consecutive year with some of the biggest names in Scottish music, comedy and entertainment, including a sold-out homecoming show from Paolo Nutini. The twelve-day extravaganza will see dozens of events take place throughout Paisley between 13 and 24 October. The Spree is taking place as part of the push towards Paisley's bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 and is helping cement Paisley's place as a key destination on Scotland's events map. This year’s line-up includes a spectacular show from Frightened Rabbit, who are collaborating with The Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a once in a lifetime performance in the stunning surrounding of Paisley Abbey. Frightened Rabbit frontman, Scott Hutchinson commented “This will be the last show of our current campaign and we're excited it's going to be such a special one to end on. Playing with the RSNO will be an absolute privilege and we can't wait to hear it as much as everyone else. Having seen previous performances by The Twilight Sad and Idlewild, I'm sure it's going to be a special night. See you round the organ for a heart-warming rendition of Keep Yourself Warm!”
Frightened Rabbit :: www.facebook.com/frightenedrabbit
Trail, Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert, and a very and international names, we are delighted The special show where James Grant explores Spree offers a platform for some of Paisley's Paisley's Untold Story. fantastic home-grown talent too." The Spree is renowned for hosting some of the biggest names in Scottish comedy and this year is no exception, teaming up with the Gilded Balloon to showcase some of the hottest names in comedy which are set to have the audience in stiches from start to finish.
The Spree is taking place in partnership with local bar Burger and Keg and Fosters, who will be programming additional acts in the Burger and Keg Live Tent during the festival, with details to be revealed soon. The festival is also supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, and the British Council.
The festival also includes theatre, film and spoken word, with a full programme of kids events, with much of the action taking place in a Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: specially-erected Spiegeltent in the town centre. “We are delighted to be once again supporting The Spree through our National Programme, and Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron I have no doubt this year’s festival will capture said: "The Spree festival is now firmly the imagination of visitors with some hugely established on Scotland's festival calendar and exciting Scottish and international acts on the This year’s festival will be kicking off with a we are very excited by this year's line-up, with bill. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and twist, opening with a celebration of twin festival, almost 60 shows in various venues and a wide The Spree is a wonderful opportunity to the Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) range of art forms - from music and dance to showcase Paisley’s cultural offering, especially in one of India’s most prestigious festivals; the theatre and poetry, and plenty for the kids support of the UK City of Culture 2021 bid.” musical collaboration will weave together the during the October holidays. This year's festival two cultures featuring traditional music from is extra special because it is taking place so India and Scotland in celebration of friendship www.thespree.co.uk close to the final decision over whether Paisley and connections. will be named the UK City of Culture 2021. As www.twitter.com/SpreeFestival well as showcasing Paisley's unique venues and www.facebook.com/thespreefestival Other acts on the bill include Dougie McLean, Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards, the Pictish ability to host major events with big Scottish Trad heavyweights, Breabach are joined by some of the country’s finest, world class musicians; Kris Drever and Talisk; as multiaward-winning Irish artist Sharon Shannon, will take to the stage with finalists from this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk awards, Fara.
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Lagavulin return as headline sponsor of Islay Jazz Festival Islay :: 15-17 September :: www.lagavulinislayjazzfestival.co.uk Buy tickets @ www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk/tickets
Promoters, Jazz Scotland and Islay Arts Association are delighted to announce that Lagavulin will continue as headline sponsor of the Festival for 2017. Taking place on the weekend of September 1517, the festival is packed with a hugely successful mix of brilliant musicians; informal and relaxed surroundings; creative excitement; and high quality presentation in the most extraordinary situations, all over the Hebridean island, with the wonders of Islay whisky and especially, Lagavulin, an ever present. There is no more beautiful setting for a Festival, and the programme aids the discovery of the whole island, because concerts take place all over – from the Rhinns Hall in Portnahaven in the south west, where you can look out at Ireland and the seals on the rocks; to the RSPB
centre at Gruinard on the north coast, where tens of thousands of geese will shortly arrive; to the distilleries in the south east, at Ardbeg, and especially, Lagavulin, where the intimate and atmospheric Malt Mill is transformed into an international quality jazz joint for the weekend.
Jacqui Dankworth
Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival has a special place in the Scottish jazz calendar. It’s the only Scottish Jazz Festival where most of the musicians and audiences all commit to a weekend of creating, performing and appreciating music together. It’s an intense and exhilarating experience. This year’s programme will feature Tommy Smith, returning to the scene of some of his most creative moments, to play solo and in duet with Brian Kellock; the astonishing young pianist, Fergus McCreadie with his Trio; the hugely popular gypsy swing band, Rose Room; the great singer, Jacqui Dankworth, in duet with American pianist, Charlie Wood; sensational vocalist, Luca Manning; Brazilian bassist, Mario Caribe; soul and r’n’b chanteuse, Charlotte Marshall, with her band; and the thrilling pianist, Alan Benzie. The Festival pays tribute to 100 years of jazz as Seonaid Aitken Sings Ella and Colin Steele’s band plays the music of Miles Davis.
with Islay Arts Association since its launch. Islay Arts Association is a volunteer run charity, based on the island, with a strong track record of presenting professional arts across many genres.
The programme always strongly supports the Scottish Jazz scene, offering musicians a rare opportunity to present their music to a listening 2017 will be the 18th edition of the Islay Jazz Festival and it has been presented in association audience, but in buzzy, atmospheric conditions. Venues are always busy and most concerts sell out. In Islay, the audience appreciates risk taking and understands that the Festival is about musical excitement, rather than perfect presentations. Musicians can experiment, relax and have fun, in the intimacy and warmth of the Festival’s friendly and often inspirational atmosphere. Fiona Alexander, Director of Jazz Scotland says: “Last year the Festival reached new heights in terms of the excellence of musical artistry and the levels of audience engagement. We’re hoping to match those standards and, if possible, go one level higher in 2017, with a brilliant line up of musicians – and venues. The support of Lagavulin enables us to present the extraordinary quality that would not otherwise be possible, so thanks to them, and to our partners at Islay Arts Association” Stuart Todd of Islay Art Association says: “It’s astonishing that so many musicians and audiences can find their way to our wonderful island every year to create and enjoy such a wonderful event. For many people it’s the highlight of the year. It’s certainly one of ours” Georgie Crawford, Distillery Manager at Lagavulin says “We’re proud to have been at the heart of the Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival for seven years now. The annual event is always one of our busiest and best times on Islay, with the festival really capturing the brand’s personality and heritage.”
www.islayjazzfestival.co.uk Tommy Smith
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'Fèis na Mara' celebrates 20 years Mallaig :: 29 September - 1 October :: www.feis-na-mara.com Buy tickets @ www.feis-na-mara.com/tickets
It’s 20 years this year since Fèis na Mara first took place in Mallaig's marquee on the pier – a huge achievement by Jill, Niki and the rest of the team, they really paved the way. There’s a fantastically diverse line-up this year to celebrate such an auspicious anniversary and it would be great to have a record number out celebrating too. Tickets are available online from the weblink above and from The West Highland Hotel and Springbank Guest House in Mallaig. The dates for this year’s Fèis na Mara are the 29 and 30 of September, with the now legendary all day ‘recovery’ session in the Crofter’s Rest on Sunday the 1 October! On Friday 29 September the festival kicks off at 7.30pm in the MMCC with Mairearad Green and Anna Massie - a sparkling, highly-talented, award-winning multi-instrumentalist duo from
Wrapping up the Saturday night in style are Esperanza: Glasgow’s epic nine-piece ska collective. It’s actually impossible not to abandon all dignity and decorum when this monster band starts to play, all in the room will bounce as one in a crazed jumpy fashion. In several hectic years of gigging around Scotland and beyond they have honed and perfected a high-tempo set until there isn’t an ounce of fat left on it. www.facebook.com/Esperanzaska
Achiltibuie and Fortrose, followed by The Rachel Newton Band, whose beautiful interpretations of Gaelic and other-worldly traditional songs have won her a string of accolades, including winner of this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year. Friday's late-night shindig from 10pm features Dosca - an energetic young 5-piece from the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow with blistering tune sets on pipes, fiddle, flute, guitar and drums, followed by our own inimitable Griogair of Ballachulish - the one and only exponent of Gaelic Hip-Hop - exclusively revealing his amazing new band and new music.
Griogair Labhruidh : member of the world-famous Afro Celt Sound System, former singer for Gaelic supergroup Dàimh, and current Scots Trad Gaelic Singer of the Year. His unique brand of Gaelic hip hop is the first and only music of its kind, and at Fèis na Mara he will be unveiling a mystery band of superstars to showcase his forthcoming album. www.griogairmusic.com
On Saturday from 12 till 2 there will be a lunchtime family ceilidh in the hall followed by the ever-popular Hector Henderson Quattro in The Steam Inn from 2 till 5.
musicians and composers who individually have fingers in trad., dance band, classical, indie-pop and electronic pies. From 10pm you can see The Poozies (plus pals!) - the ever-adventurous 4-piece are joined here by drums, accordion and a horn section, and will bring you a rocking set of high-energy monster tunes and some classic pop songs, amongst other surprises. They're followed by Glasgow's epic 9-piece ska collective, Esperanza, who will have you pulling moves on the dancefloor that you never thought possible, until we all melt into a big happy puddle. For the survivors on Sunday there is the now legendary Sesh na Marathon in the Crofter's Bar of Arisaig Hotel, from 2pm until who knows when. Bring an instrument if you'd like to join in, or just come and listen and collectively recover.
On Saturday night from 7.30pm it's Cera Impala & The New Prohibition bringing you a unique www.feis-na-mara.com combination of hillbilly noir, 20's and 30's jazz, www.twitter.com/feisnamara folk and americana, followed by a brand-new, www.facebook.com/Feis-na-Mara-246404898751694 star-studded trio called O.T.B., - 3 incredible
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GRIT Orchestra to premiere orchestration of Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture at Celtic Connections 2018 Glasgow :: 18 January - 4 February :: www.celticconnections.com Buy tickets @ www.celticconnections.com/events - line-up announced 24 October
The GRIT Orchestra is to perform the world premiere of the orchestration of Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture in a spectacular show at the SSE Hydro featuring Danny MacAskill as part of Celtic Connections 25th anniversary celebrations. Celtic Connections, the leading festival of world, folk and roots music, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary from Thursday 14 January to Sunday 4 February 2018 with 300 events featuring more than 2,000 artists from across the world in venues throughout Glasgow. A Celtic Connections commission, the orchestration by violinist and composer Greg Lawson of pioneering Scottish piper, fiddler and studio mixer Martyn Bennett’s second album Bothy Culture, will be performed by the GRIT Orchestra on Saturday 27 January in an epic production. The show will include a section featuring professional street trials rider Danny MacAskill. The GRIT Orchestra was formed to perform an orchestration of Martyn Bennett’s final album, GRIT, commissioned for the Opening Concert of Celtic Connections 2015. Following this critically acclaimed sold-out show, GRIT went on to be performed at WOMAD and the Edinburgh International Festival in 2016. Danny MacAskill’s contribution is inspired by his short film The Ridge, in which he returns to his native home of the Isle of Skye for an action packed ride along the notorious Cuillin Ridgeline, set to the soundtrack of Martyn’s Bennet Blackbird. The film has had more than 52 million views on YouTube. A pioneering artist who paved the way for a whole new generation of bands when he broke into the music scene in the mid-1990s Martyn Bennett’s life was cut short at the age of just 33 after a long battle with cancer. Tickets for the Grit Orchestra’s performance of Bothy Culture will go on sale on Thursday 31 August at 10am. The full programme for Celtic Connections 2018 will be announced on Tuesday 24 October 2017. For details and to buy tickets visit: www.celticconnections.com Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, said: “The emotive power and virtuosity of the GRIT Orchestra which electrified audiences at their incredible performances of GRIT will once again be harnessed for this world premiere reworking of Martyn Bennett’s Bothy Culture. “Since 2004, Celtic Connections has grown from
a festival held at just one venue to presenting music across more than 25 stages throughout the city.
who changed the musical landscape forever.
“Over time it became compulsively clear that the GRIT Orchestra - this incredible mix of “Our driving spirit remains the same – and it is a musicians, each superb in different styles and spirit which runs deep through the work of the approaches to a shared love of making music – GRIT Orchestra – to bring brilliant musicians is such a special entity that it needed to together in new ways to share their artistry with continue. And so I embarked on this new one of the most enthusiastic audiences you can venture, to adapt and perform with the experience and create joyous, moving and Orchestra, Martyn’s Bothy Culture. inspiring music.” “Though this will be our second project, the Councillor David McDonald, Chair of excitement, the at times sheer adrenaline of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow creating, rehearsing and then stepping out onto City Council, said: “Celtic Connections is one the stage to perform Bothy Culture at Celtic of the greatest music festivals in the world. Its Connections will, I am sure, be as intense and home, Glasgow, one of the leading cities for live life affirming an experience as before. It is a music, and the first city in the UK to be awarded privilege and a joy to be doing this, as the GRIT the accolade of UNESCO City of Music. Celtic Orchestra continues to grow and develop and be Connections has gone from strength to strength inspired to soon take our next step. To write our since it was first held – its reputation spreading own music on a journey begun in the light of throughout the world and attracting leading Martyn Bennett’s art, which burnt so bright.” musicians to perform on festival stages. This BJ Stewart from the Martyn Bennett Trust, achievement has played a major role in the said: “The seismic waves created by Martyn’s wider success we now see throughout the city’s debut had reached out across and redefined the music sector, in live music, recording, and our musical landscape, then he brought us Bothy music education offer. The connections made Culture, which cemented his reputation not just thanks to this brilliant festival, the many as one of the most important musicians in a incredible achievements over a quarter of a generation but also as an exceptional composer. century are to be celebrated. With the To many of Martyn’s fans the album is also a announcement of this exciting new concert by personal favourite. It is an album of passion and the amazing GRIT Orchestra, it is clear that the exploration, crafted to celebrate life. 25th edition of Celtic Connections will be “GRIT is the album which is often held up as unmissable for everyone who loves music, and Martyn’s greatest achievement. Bothy Culture loves Glasgow.” stands as a work of brilliance, part of a legacy Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative that nothing can steal away from us and will Scotland, said: “The original premiere of Grit continue to be enjoyed and inspire. was one of the most talked about gigs of the last “I cannot wait to experience the GRIT decade and it’s fantastic to see the Grit Orchestra’s new work, orchestrated from Bothy Orchestra reforming in time for the 25th anniversary of Celtic Connections for this unique Culture at Celtic Connections 2018. Their emergence with GRIT was rightly acclaimed as a chance to experience the seminal album Bothy triumph and it will be fascinating to see how Culture live. Through this concert, The Grit they once again reshape Martyn’s music and Orchestra, whose members span genres take it in exciting new directions. It was music including jazz, classical and trad music, will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate the composed never to stand still and knowing and loving Martyn as we did, I know he would have work and legacy of the iconic Martyn Bennett.” been delighted.” Greg Lawson, Conductor of the GRIT Orchestra and arranger of the new www.celticconnections.com orchestration, said: “The GRIT Orchestra www.twitter.com/ccfest began as a glorious one-off. A dazzling bespoke way to celebrate the genius of Martyn Bennett, www.facebook.com/CelticConnections
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Hands Up For Trad Hit The Right Note With 'TradLive' Online :: 23 September 2pm-11pm :: www.handsupfortrad.scot
Buy tickets @ FREE - Charity Donation requested - Tune in @ www.youtube.com/c/handsupfortrad
TradLive a new music festival from Hands Up for Trad will be streamed entirely on YouTube – it goes live on Saturday 23 September. The one day spectacular will see nine live music acts broadcast live from 2pm to 11pm (BST) when music fans from across the globe can be part of the interactive festival via Hands Up for Trad's YouTube channel @ www.youtube.com/c/handsupfortrad Hands Up for Trad are known for working with the biggest names in the Scottish trad scene, so it’s no surprise that the TradLive line-up will see some of the hottest acts on the circuit perform at this debut event. Among this year’s performers are the diverse and innovative Scottish Folk Band Barluath, TRIP, Findlay Napier and two time BBC Radio Scotland Young Folk Finalist, Ryan Young, who was also named MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016 ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’. TradLive will also feature music and conversation from The Hur, Gnoss, OBT, Paddy Callaghan Trio and Josie Duncan.
Findlay Napier :: www.findlaynapier.com photo by David Boni
artists to thrive. The organisation exists to promote Scottish traditional music through education, information and advocacy to artists, audiences and participants throughout Scotland and beyond.
At Hands Up for Trad, we’re always looking for new ways to showcase the unbelievable talent we have here in Scotland. We’ve established a network of 140 countries with our monthly podcast and we wanted to give people the chance to enjoy some spectacular trad acts from The festival, which will be live-streamed online, the comfort of their homes but still be personal Hands Up for Trad - pioneers in the traditional is free to watch, however audiences can support music industry – continue to propel the Scottish with online donations, which will go to MacMillan and interactive - thus, TradLive was created. traditional music industry to new audiences with Cancer Support, Mary’s Meals and Oxfam. It’s a free event, though we would ask that projects such as TradLive and the Scots Trad viewers make a charitable contribution instead Event Founder and Hands Up for Trad Music Awards. They are renowned for of a ticket fee. Tune in and celebrate the debut Creative Director, Simon Thoumire, said: promoting traditional musicians and their work of our brand new digital festival.” “We’re thrilled to host the world’s first ever to wider international markets and make online trad festival. TradLive will be a jamScottish traditional music accessible across their www.handsupfortrad.scot packed event with music and interviews from extensive online networks to worldwide some of the best musicians in the Trad industry. www.twitter.com/handsupfortrad audiences. providing much-needed platforms for
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fb @ www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fallen-Angels-Club/149553931728736 tickets @ www.ticketweb.co.uk
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SCOTTISH MUSIC FESTIVALS to be included in our festival listings email details to: musicnewsscotland@gmail.com SEPTEMBER
Online - 2pm-11pm 23 September
OCTOBER
Taproot Festival
The one day spectacular will see nine live music acts broadcast live from 2pm to 11pm (BST) when music fans from across the globe can be part of the interactive festival via Hands Up for Trad's YouTube channel @ www.youtube.com/c/handsupfortrad www.handsupfortrad.scot
Glasgow Americana
Isle of Lismore 14-17 September
Glasgow 4-8 October
A festival to celebrate land and Lismore - the wee festival that digs deep! Musicians and writers come together on this special island to celebrate Lismore and it's extraordinary heritage and current creative rennaisance at the new Taproot Festival. Cumnock, New Cumnock
Glasgow's annual celebration of Americana brings musicians from as far afield as Texas and Canada to perform roots music from blues to rockabilly. Austin-based Slaid Cleaves has the honour of being the first act to be named for 2017’s Glasgow Americana Festival. The opening night concert is a tribute to ‘The Late Great and Auchinleck Townes Van Zandt’ which will feature Rachel 28 September - 1 October Sermanni, Jefferson Hamer, Davie Scott, Sir James MacMillan announced the programme Roseanne Reid, Jonas and Jane, plus a special for the 2017 Cumnock Tryst at a special event in guest. the Dumfries Arms and the launch also featured www.glasgowamericana.com a performance by Folk trio, Kilda, presented in partnership with Live Music Now Scotland. The fourth annual Cumnock Tryst Festival will take place in venues across Cumnock, New Cumnock Ullapool and Auchinleck, and in Dumfries House between 6-8 October 28 September and 1 October. So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the www.thecumnocktryst.com mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned Loopallu performers and those, like the students from the Ullapool Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on 29-30 September Loch Broom and the drive up through some of On paper they said it wouldn’t work, a festival in Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s late September in a remote village on the West no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone Coast of Scotland 60 miles from the nearest mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting town, but that was ten years ago. 2017 sees a few changes for our friendly, small (but we thank beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or even jamming with them on one of the trade perfectly formed) festival enter its enters its thirteenth year. Moving to the Pier in the centre stands. www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com of the village, still expect another year of fun regardless of what the weather has to say about it. Another year making new friends, and The Spree Festival catching up with old ones. Follow us on social Paisley media to see who’s going join the ranks that 13-22 October include Paolo Nutini, Mumford and Sons, Twin Atlantic, The Stranglers and Franz Ferdinand who have graced our little stage. You’ll just have The bill has been announced for Paisley’s Spree festival – featuring a one-off collaboration to come and see… between Scottish indie act Frightened Rabbit and www.loopallu.co.uk the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Paisley Abbey. The festival of music, comedy, theatre and more – which will take over the town centre between 13 and 22 October – is now in its sixth Mallaig year and is part of Paisley’s bid to be UK City of 29 September - 1 October Culture 2021. There’s a fantastically diverse line-up this year to www.thespree.co.uk celebrate such an auspicious anniversary and it would be great to have a record number out EH6 celebrating too. Leith www.feis-na-mara.com
Cumnock Tryst Festival
www.facebook.com/events/777762959071670/
Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival Islay 15-17 September
Ullapool Guitar Festival
The festival is packed with a hugely successful mix of brilliant musicians; informal and relaxed surroundings; creative excitement; and high quality presentation in the most extraordinary situations, all over the Hebridean island, with the wonders of Islay whisky and especially, Lagavulin, an ever present. www.lagavulinislayjazzfestival.co.uk
Lammermuir Festival East Lothian 14-23 September The Lammermuir Festival was born of a conviction that historic architecture and beautiful landscape can be an ideal environment in which to experience great music and music-making. It's ten days in venues across East Lothian from the majestic, medieaval church of St Mary's in Haddington, to a former granary on a farm, the beautiful Lennoxlove House and the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh. www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk
DAREFest Edinburgh 23 September
Fèis na Mara
Listen, Learn, Riot! DAREFest at The Wee Red Bar is a one day event set up by Lou Mclean and Ashley Stein, two musicians who met at Girl’s Rock School Edinburgh. Inspired by the phenomenal talent coming out of their local music scene but still unimpressed with the industries attitude towards women, they decided to start a one day festival designed to empower all women to take on the Scottish music scene. Throughout a day of workshops run by Lou, Ashley and the brilliant Speaking Out Project (part of Scottish Women's Aid) this event will be Glasgow 30 September focused on building up resilience and skills for music performance & feminist activism. www.darefestedinburgh.com Tenement TV - the team behind Scotland’s biggest and best platform for music discovery are delighted to reveal 20 new bands joining their city music festival line-up. Fresh from Stonehaven playing TRNSMT festival at the weekend, Louis Berry, Clean Cut Kid, Neon Waltz and Vistas join 23 September an array of amazing talent. These new bands join the already announced headliners, The One day music festival based in the NE of Temperance Movement who are set to shake the Scotland showcasing the countries finest walls of the 02 ABC on Saturday 30 September Americana / Roots / Country and Acoustic acts. 2017. www.doricanafest.co.uk www.tenementtv.com
Tenement Trail
Doricana Fest
TradLive
21-22 October
Krafty Brew Presents EH6 with Alabama 3, Big country, Space and more bringing EH6 to Leith for the very first time this October. This is a live music, food and drink festival in Leith, our aim is to try to bring some big names as well as all the best talent in Scotland. The festival features over 100 bands in more than 10 different venues in Leith and is designed so that people travel throughout the whole of leith stopping at various business throughout the whole weekend and seeing the best of Leith. We will have craft stalls, art exhibitions, food from all over the world, a beer market where all of Scotland’s finest breweries will be, children's entertainment, a massive variety or music from House to Gaelic and much more. www.facebook.com/EH6festival
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