Organisers of an annual folk music festival in Portsoy have hailed this year’s event a resounding success.
Folk At The Salmon Bothy hosted the 13th Haal over the weekend of 2 – 4 June, attracting performers and audiences from around the world.
The event showcased a full programme of music, songs, stories and poetry celebrating the folk music scene past and present.
Irish songwriters, singers and musicians, the Sands Family, from County Down in Northern Ireland, headlined the Friday evening concert. Anne, and her brothers Tommy, Ben and Colum, had the crowd singing and laughing along at the often lengthy but hilarious song introductions, which were expertly crafted and delivered by the talented group.
Karine Polwart, Scottish singer, songwriter, composer and essayist, and one of the top acts in the present Scottish folk scene, headlined the Saturday schedule, enthralling and engaging the audience with stories and song, many of which were based around nature, birds, trees and wildlife.
Late Scottish singer-songwriter and instrumentalist, Davy Steele, was celebrated on Sunday by a group of renowned musicians who performed ‘Steele the Show’, coordinated by Davy’s widow, Patsy Seddon. Their son Jamie Steele, along with Mary MacMaster, Jim and Beth Malcolm, Donald Hay, Mike Leigh, Dave Francis, Kathy Stewart and Karine Polwart, performed to a capacity audience, with the crowd happy to join the choruses.
The many sessions held around various venues in the town provided great opportunity for folk club members and visitors to sing, play a tune, tell a story or recite a poem, much to the delight of the audiences who gathered to enjoy the entertainment.
Delighted at the success of the event, Bob Philips, chairman of Folk At The Salmon Bothy and Haal coordinator, commented, “The feedback from performers, audiences and local businesses has been resoundingly positive. The quality of the performers brought together over the weekend has been commended by the many visitors to the festival. We also benefitted from a weekend of lovely summer weather, which further heighted the good spirits which the Haal has become renowned for. It has been an excellent weekend for folk music and for the town of Portsoy. Our sincere thanks go to the many sponsors and supporters who have made it possible for us to host this event. Our focus is now on securing more top quality acts for the 2024 Haal, to further build on the successes of this year’s event.”
Folk At The Salmon Bothy meet on the third Friday of each month throughout the year at the Salmon Bothy in Portsoy. Doors open 7pm, entry is £5, tea and coffee provided. The next open mic event takes place on Friday 16 June, all welcome.
Follow these topics: News, Newsletter