Keith Traditional Music & Song Association (TMSA) Festival is back in-person for the first time since 2019 and will be held over the weekend of 10th – 12th June 2022. The Festival was first held in 1976 and has been held virtually for the past two years due to the pandemic.
The Festival consists of concerts, ceilidhs, dancing, sessions, sing-a-rounds and competitions and is held in various venues throughout the town of Keith.
Headlining the festival this year is top, multi award-winning Scottish supergroup Mànran.
Mànran have spent over 10 years at the heart of the Scottish traditional music scene. Internationally recognised as one of the most iconic and respected Scottish bands on the road today, the seven-piece show no signs of slowing down as they continue to push boundaries and explore new musical and geographical territory each year, bringing their uplifting and unique live performances to stages across the world.
With three hugely successful studio albums already under their belt, Mànran launched their new album 0rar (‘fresh’ or ‘flourishing’) in late 2021, revealing a rejuvenated and exciting sound that has thrilled fans and critics alike.
Having played in over 30 countries covering North America, Asia and Australia (where they were awarded “International Artist of the Year” at the Australian Celtic Music Awards), the multifaceted musical powerhouse band have amassed a loyal fanbase worldwide for their outstanding tunes performed on a mixture of traditional and modern instruments, alongside their powerful songs in Gaelic and English.
The group will headline the Saturday night concert on 11th June in the Royal Hotel (sponsored by Boogie Woogie, Connor Wilson Vehicles and Barbara Coutts Fiddle School) with tickets priced at just £20.
The full list of guest artists has been finalised and is available on the Festival website. In addition to Mànran the guest list includes record Bothy Ballad Champion of Champions Joe Aitken, Shetland duo Peter Wood and Andy Kain and the Steven Carcary Scottish Dance Band.
Commenting on the headline event Festival Chairman, Kathleen Anderson, said:
“We are very excited to be back live and in-person! It’s been 3 years since we’ve been able to get together in-person at the Festival and we can’t wait!
“We’re delighted that Mànran are to headline this year’s Keith Festival. To have one of the best folk bands in the country playing this year is just fantastic.
“Mànran have performed to audiences all over the world and have won a stack of awards for their music. They are full of energy and are exceptional musicians. They really are a must see and I know they are going to go down a storm in Keith again.
“Preparations for the Festival are going really well and everything is falling in to place nicely. Once again we are attracting the highest quality of musicians and singers to the Festival this year and there really will be something for everybody.
“We really hope that people will come out and support the musicians and singers who are coming along and enjoy getting back to hearing, and taking part in, live music and song again!”
The Keith TMSA Festival runs from Friday 10th June to Sunday 12th June in various venues throughout the town.
Tickets for the Mànran Concert are available to buy online at www.keithfestival.com/manran
Tickets for all events are available from Mither Tongue, Mid Street, Keith and also from Sandy McCombie on 01542 882638. For more information about what is happening during the weekend go to www.keithfestival.com or follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/keithfestival
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