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 and local talent.
The furthest travelled act is Huun-Huur-Tu, from the Tuvan region of Russia on the Mongolian border. They are a fascinating and mysterious band playing their native music on native instruments, and performing their famous throat singing which forms a deep and resonant backdrop.
This year’s festival sees five varied and brilliant acts from across the pond. Taking a short break from their busy touring schedule in North America just so they can appear at the Shetland Folk Festival, are award-winning Canadian trio The East Pointers from Prince Edward Island. Their contemporary twist on traditional Celtic tunes and ability to get hands clapping, feet stomping and bodies bouncing has led them to be described as a band who will ‘soon by making waves around the world’. Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son hail from Ontario in Canada and bring with them a repertoire of exciting ragtime and blues songs from years past. Their riotous performance is as much a treat for the eyes as the ears, as they bring out a selection of traditional and home-made instruments during their show. Also from Canada are De Temps Antan, a trio that can be described as something of a ‘super-group’ of Quebecois folk music. The individual members are virtuosic performers, and the band is sure to bring the absolute best of French-Canadian traditional folk music to new generations.
From San Francisco comes Laura Cortese and The Dance Cards. Their lively performances exhibit the depth and soul of American roots music, backed by grooves that alternatively inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock ‘n’ roll swagger. Seeing this quartet on stage, you get a sense that they might snap some fiddle strings or punch a hole in the bass drum. Also from the USA are The Railsplitters who are based in the Colorado Rockies. They pride themselves on giving bluegrass their own spin, while calling on genre influences from country twang, 50s doo-wop, modern pop and rock ‘n’ roll. Their powerful vocals, great harmonies and breath-taking instrumentals are sure to take the Shetland audience by storm.
Representing Europe this year are Wör from the Flanders region of Belgium. They have put their own modern twist to their local dance tunes of the 18th century, and the result is something really special. Their exuberant performances add saxophones and accordions to the more traditional fiddle, guitar and bagpipes to produce a timeless yet contemporary sound.
Stalwarts of contemporary trad and hailing from Ireland are The Alan Kelly Gang. Though firmly rooted in the Irish tradition, the Alan Kelly Gang seamlessly introduce Galician, Breton, Scottish and Americana influences. All four members of the band are critically acclaimed masters of their craft, and their magical and uplifting music will draw even the most fainthearted listener into the passion that they put into it.
One band bringing together a fusion of nationalities and music styles is quartet The Outside Track. One member of the band hails from Cape Breton, and four others hail from Scotland and Ireland. The marriage of these three backgrounds of music and song have been rapturously received around the world. Each player is a master of their chosen instrument, and the band has stacked up an impressive amount of international awards.
Furthering the Scottish selection this year is Gordon Gunn, Brian McAlpine & Friends. There is no doubting the ability and talent of this quartet as all four are also members of the hugely popular Scottish super-group Session A9 which performed at the Folk Festival in 2010. Their mixture of traditional and contemporary tunes is bound to please audiences across the isles.
Making a return to the festival by popular demand is Rose Room, who brought their swing and gypsy jazz music to the line-up in 2014. Their vivacious performances, outstanding musicianship and stunning vocals blew the festival audiences away. Anyone who has a love of Swing music and the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli is in for a real treat! If you missed them last time don’t make the same mistake again!
A more recent addition to the folk music scene and making a stir is Talisk, an award-winning trio from Scotland who will be performing traditional Scottish and Irish tunes. There is no doubting their level of talent after last year saw them win a coveted Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections, as well as the 2015 BBC Young Folk Award.
Renowned for their energetic live performances are ‘neo-trad’ band The Elephant Sessions from Scotland. Their live shows and critically acclaimed album enabled them to claim the title of ‘Up and Coming Act of the Year’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards in 2014. Their ceilidh-esque sound combined with undertones of ska, rock and funk will definitely leave you beating a trail to the dance floor!
Playing for one night only, another band making a welcome return after taking audiences by storm at the 2012 Shetland Folk Festival is Mànran, one of the best known and best loved Scottish folk bands on the scene today. Mànran’s traditional Celtic roots mixed with elements of funk, jazz and rock mean they often defy easy labelling, but their outstanding live performances make them an act that is always in high demand. Two members of the band, Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson have also been touring lately as a duo, and will be performing throughout the festival weekend. Audiences can expect a show packed with accordion, fiddle and bagpipe music as well as songs in both English and Gaelic, tied together with stories, tall-tales and a healthy dose of true Highland “craic”.
All visiting acts, with exception of Mànran, will be in Shetland for the festival’s duration, performing at concerts all over the isles alongside fantastic local acts that never fail to do Shetland and the Folk Festival proud. The festival will conclude as usual with the famous ‘Foys’ – three venues open on the Sunday night featuring a short 15-minute set by the visiting bands.
Early memberships will be on sale at www.shetlandfolkfestival.com during the month of February (1st to 29th). These members will be able to book their concert tickets online for two weeks before they go on sale to the general public. Tickets will go on sale to early members from March 21st, and to the general public from 4th April. The Festival now operates exclusively with an online system for the purchase of memberships and concert tickets.
ENDS
For further information, please contact
Louise Johnson, Publicity and Sponsorship Representative
Shetland Folk Festival Society, Registered Scottish Charity (SC013445)
Mobile – 07766008556 Email – louise.johnson1975@sky.com
Notes to Editors – The annual Shetland Folk Festival continues to be organised 100% by volunteers and the Shetland Folk Festival Society acts as an independent arts provider in the isles. In 2016, the Festival is receiving investment from the Creative Scotland National Lottery Funds and the Shetland Charitable Trust.
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