It is very sad to learn of the passing of Bill Black at the end of January. Not only was he a master of the Shand Morino but also an excellent fiddler. Bill was inducted to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2009. Read more about Bill here. Bill Black
News
Wiston Lodge – February 2016 Business Limelight of the Month
Wiston Lodge are the thirty third recipients of Hands Up for Trad’s Business Limelight Award. The “Limelight’s” are a monthly initiative (launched in October 2012) that recognises the outstanding contributions made by businesses and organisations who contribute, shape and influence the arts and cultural sector in Scotland today. Wiston Lodge are a centre who do great […]
Trad Music Spotlight: Breabach
Hands Up for Trad’s Trad Music Spotlight is a monthly feature on a band or solo artist. It was first launched in February 2015 and features musicians who are working in the trad scene – both in Scotland and around the world. We asked Breabach a few questions. What’s happening? We’ve just finished recording our […]
Photos from Strathspey and Surreal Society
Here are some photos taken by Louis DeCarlo of our Strathspey and Surreal Society gig at Celtic Connections last Saturday 23rd January. Great photos. Video will soon be here 🙂
The latest Foot Stompin’ Scottish Music Podcast
Hello we’re back!! It’s been a busy time at Hands Up for Trad with the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, Christmas etc but it’s great to be playing some fab Scottish music for you. We start the podcast with the latest release from Blazin Fiddles – North. Then it’s another new release from Sarah […]
The Dead Stations – Mike Vass and Mairi Campbell
Scottish musician Mike Vass has made his first serious foray into songwriting for the exciting new project The Dead Stations, which is touring Scotland in early 2016. The Dead Stations combines live music, recorded audio drama and animation to tell the thrilling tale of what happens after a passenger alights at a deserted train station […]
The Tradition Is Nothing Without Innovation
At the weekend we hosted the Strathspey and Surreal Society. This is my introduction to the concert! The tradition is nothing without innovation. Innovation is nothing without the tradition. They go hand in hand. We need innovation to keep our music and culture moving forward, to keep the interest of young people. We need the […]
Strathspey and Surreal Society debut Saturday 23rd Jan, Celtic Connections Glasgow
Next Saturday 23rd January Aidan O’Rourke, Shona Mooney, Jenn Austin and Simon Thoumire have written four new pieces of music for Aidan and Simon’s project Strathspey and Surreal Society. They have assembled an amazing set of fiddlers to perform the music and it will be conducted by Dave Milligan. They had their first rehearsal last Tuesday and the music is […]
Line-up for 36th Shetland Folk Festival
An eclectic line-up for the 36th Shetland Folk Festival has been announced by its volunteer committee. Fifteen acts have so far been confirmed for this year’s four-day feast of superb music, sessions and sleepless nights! An exciting variety of bands from USA, Canada, Russia and Belgium will be featured alongside an array of fantastic UK […]
BBC Radio Scotland Young Trad Award semi-finalist makes it through to Young Folk Award finals
Katie Macfarlane, a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Music Award has made it through to the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. Read her thoughts. I was so happy to find out I was through to the final 10 of BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. I sent off an application along with […]