Congratulations to Kings Place who has been nominated in Venue of the Year Award in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Kings Place now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked James of Kings Place the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Kings Place is an adventurous music and arts venue with an ambition to inspire local community and promote the power of the arts in our society. Its venues enable learning, discovery, debate and experiences that are powerfully intimate, enabling human connection between artists and audiences.
The dedicated and supportive team programmes a series of festivals and events, developing cross-arts collaborations and artistic relationships that deliver unforgettable live experiences.
The award-winning concert series, Unwrapped, is our flagship programme, exploring big ideas and overarching themes across the year. Kings Place is also the UK’s home of live podcasting as creators and hosts of the London Podcast Festival.
As a registered charity Kings Place does not receive regular public funding. Income is generated through ticket sales, donations, grants, and the staging of world-class conferences and events.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Kings Place has programmed Scottish music since it began in 2008, mostly due to our founder Peter Millican being such a hard-core fan. Now, under the baton of its Folk Programmer Rosie Chapman, Kings Place has a strong connection with Scotland and its plethora of artists, agents, organisations, which in turn has led to a loyal Kings Place audience keen to digest all that Scotland – and its folk traditions in particular – have to offer!
Any particular career highlights?
There are too many to mention, but for this year, where we’ve presented our series Scotland Unwrapped since January, hosting Orkney Folk Festival’s first foray outside of Scotland was an absolute honour and real delight. Scotland natives and fans alike came out of the woodwork from around the country (and some internationally!) to hear the magic of Fara, Gnoss, Saltfishforty, Kris Drever, The Chair and Orkney Folk: The Gathering. It was an all-day party in the building and we loved it. We’ve also loved hosting return visits from Scottish legends like Julie Fowlis, Karine Polwart (our Artist in Residence this year), Duncan Chisholm, and welcoming new artists (through the support from Showcase Scotland Expo) like Juliette Lemoine, Constant Follower and Sian.
What are your plans for the future?
Despite this year having a Scotland focus, we’ll continue our commitment to championing Scottish talent in all its forms. Kings Place is keen to ensure that connection remains strong. Next year, our focus is on the Earth, with a variety of environmental-inspired projects. Given the success of Orkney Folk Festival in London, Kings Place is keen to develop this further, both with Orkney and the many other festivals which Scotland has to offer. We’ll also be playing host to Fara’s 10 year anniversary, and welcoming back our much-loved regulars such as Blazin’ Fiddles, Imar, Rura and more!
Kings Place Social Media
Website: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/
Facebook: @kingsplace
Twitter: @KingsPlace
Instagram: @kingsplacelondon
YouTube: @KingsPlaceOfficial
TikTok: @kingsplacelondon
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
