Events

Opening Night

Sunday 6 August | Mareel, Auditorium | 6.30pm - 8pm

Enjoy an evening of live music performances from local traditional players and a screening of our film, Sights and Sounds of Shetland, to open the festival on a high note!

The film is brought to life with recorded performances from Hjaltibonhoga, Shetland’s fiddlers of the Royal Military Tattoo. Along with archive film footage and photography this screening will give you a taste of Shetland’s cultural identity; from different musical influences, wedding celebrations and reels in the kitchen to the steps taken to keep traditions alive.

Our specially commissioned film, edited from the Shetland Film Archives, also includes a glimpse into everyday life in Shetland from the 1950s – 1970s. Immerse yourself in Shetland’s years gone by with footage on traditional crofting, knitting, fishing, schooling, transport, festivities, and leisure activities.

Relax for the evening with complimentary soup, sandwiches and drinks.

Café Bar Sessions

Mareel, Café Bar

Sunday 6 August, 8pm - 10pm

Monday 7 August, 9pm - 11pm

Wednesday 9 August, 9pm - 11pm

Thursday 10 August, 10pm - 11pm

Friday 11 August 10pm - Late

There will be open music sessions all week from 9pm – 11pm in Mareel’s Café Bar, sessions like these are common to the traditional and folk music scene in Shetland.

Bring along your instrument and join in! Share tunes and learn new ones. Everyone welcome!

Heading West:

A Story About a Band Called Shooglenifty FILM SCREENING

Monday 7 August | Mareel Screen 1 | 7pm - 9pm

When Angus, their fiddle-playing frontman gets ill and dies in just a few months, the members of much loved Scottish band Shooglenifty are devastated.

This sensitive documentary follows the band as they work on their loss, look back on their long career, reflect on the music that Angus has left them, and, with a little help from fiddleplaying friends, get through a year of grief and introspection.

Bonfire & Tunes at St Ninians Isle

Tuesday 8 August | Mareel (Bus) 7pm - 11pm | Free/£15 (Supper)

Head down to the south end of Shetland to one of our most iconic beaches, St Ninian’s Isle, the largest tombolo in the UK! While there, enjoy a bonfire and tunes as the sun begins to set.

The bus will leave Mareel at 7pm, to take you down to St Ninian’s Isle. The bus will pick everyone up at 10.30pm and be back in town for 11pm.

Dr Tom Anderson Bus Tour

Wednesday 9 August | Mareel (Bus) 9am - 3pm

Enjoy the sights of Shetland on a bus tour to Shetland’s scenic north mainland to Eshaness, home of the famous lighthouse and birthplace of prolific fiddler Dr Tom (Tammy) Anderson, with knowledgeable tour guides Charlie Simpson and Valerie Watt.

Gather at Mareel for 9am for prompt departure, leave Eshaness at 2pm

An optional supper will be served on arrival at the Bigton Hall before heading down to the beach.

Sponsored by Shetland Musical Heritage Trust

The Tutors Concert

Thursday 10 August | Mareel, Auditorium | 7.30pm - 10pm £18 / £16 (Senior & U16)

The tutors show us how it’s done!

Enjoy a fantastic evening of music with exciting local band Vair and an exclusive set from the Folk Frenzy Summer School tutors!

See following pages for tutor biographies.

The Big Gig!

Friday 11 August | Mareel, Auditorium | 7.30pm - 10pm £18 / £16 (Senior & U16)

The culmination of the Folk Frenzy week - Folk Frenzy tutors, participants and local trad heroes Haltadans !

This event brings participants and tutors together from all over the world to perform the pieces of music and arrangements they’ve been working on throughout the week.