MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017: Edinburgh Folk Club

Congratulations to Edinburgh Folk Club who have been nominated in Club of the Year sponsored by Trac Scotland in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2017. Vote now!

We asked John Barrow of Edinburgh Folk Club the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
Edinburgh Folk Club is an organisation which exists to foster an interest in the wide international world of folk and related musics. The club held its first meeting on Wednesday 3 October 1973 and has been in continuous existence since then (now in its 45th season). EFC meets weekly on Wednesday evenings for about 40 weeks of the year from September to early July. Like all folk clubs (AFAIK) it is not compulsory to be a member to be able to attend the club's weekly shows – just turn up and pay the admission charge at the door. Recently, Edinburgh being the tourist destination it is, the members' admission price has been extended to include any card carrying club member from any similar organisation world wide. Also, matriculated students from any of Edinburgh's FE colleges and the city's four universities have an especially low admission price to encourage younger folk to come along.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
To encourage Scottish musicians, and others from other countries, of all ages to maintain and develop their traditions.
To encourage new singers, songwriters, composers, instrumentalists to draw inspiration from Scottish traditional music.
To enjoy musical traditions from other countries.
To bring pleasure to local people through Scottish folk and related music.

Any particular career highlights?
Celebrating EFC's 40th anniversary (2013) with Mike Whellans who was the first EFC guest act (October 3 1973).
Noting the high regard in which EFC 's late chair Paddy Bort was held by all the performers who took part in his memorial concert in Edinburgh's Queen's Hall (June 2017).
Folk Club of the Year 2003 (BBC Radio 2)
Nominated 2010 Scots Trad Music Awards.
Nominated 2011 Scottish New Music Awards.
Nominated 2013 Event Of The Year for "Carrying Stream Festival" Scots Trad Music

What are your plans for the future?
To sustain the club until its 50th anniversary in 2023 and beyond.
To extend EFC membership and all attendances at the club's weekly gigs.
To continue to encourage young people to participate in Scottish traditional music and in the wider international world of music in general.
To use the money raised from the Paddy Bort Memorial Concert as a fund to help musicians in need ('need' to be defined).

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Paisley’s Lagoon Centre call 0300 300 1210 or to buy online visit www.paisley2021.co.uk/events/the-mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards. Tickets can also be purchased via Paisley Arts Centre. Bands performing on Saturday 2nd December include Elephant Sessions, The Shee Big Band, Siobhan Miller, Tidelines, Paisley Fèis, Snuffbox, The Seamus O’Sullivan Experience, Lori Watson, Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair, Songs of Bàrd Phàislig (featuring Gillebrìde MacIlleMhaoil, Sìneag MacIntyre, Màiri NicAonghais, Seonaidh MacIntyre, Ewan MacPherson, Mhairi Hall, Màiri Nic a Mhaoilein and more to be announced. There will also be a late night ceilidh after the Awards till 1am.