Evie Waddell Band have reached the finals of Battle of The Folk Bands 2026. The competition will be held at Celtic Connections on January 18th in the Drygate Brewery at 1pm. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can buy tickets here.
We asked Evie of Evie Waddell Band a few questions about the band.
Tell us about your band
Our band is very drawn to Gaelic and Scots songs—old and new—and we like to explore the charging rhythms shared by rap and puirt-a-beul, keeping the spirit of Gaelic form, while pushing it into new or unusual and perhaps unexpected territory. We try to bridge rural and urban worlds, finding wit and bite in both, and we celebrate ‘folk’ music as a living, breathing conduit for anger, joy, and a bit of party chaos.
Who are the band members
Evie Waddell- vocals, step dance
Gill Higgins- harmonium/piano/synth, vocals, loops, stomp pedals
Lachie Robinson- banjo, vocals, stomp pedal
What are you hopes and aspirations for the band?
We want to play and play more together of what we each are exploring. We aspire to pulling-in whatever each song asks us for: flashes of pop-punk energy, a touch of camp, sincerity or movement-based storytelling that lets us take up space. We hope it is tradition that’s re-imagined, a contribution to the evolution and growth of Gaelic cultures and traditional arts—shaped by beat, body, and mischief.
Check out the band’s website.
Battle of The Folk Bands is a Hands Up for Trad project. Read about the organisation and join our weekly Scottish music information email here.
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