Congratulations to Charlie Galloway who has / have been nominated in Musician of the Year sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Charlie Galloway now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Charlie of Charlie Galloway the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Charlie Galloway is a Glasgow-based guitarist and composer, best known as a member of award-winning Scottish folk trio Talisk. With over a decade of touring and recording experience in Scottish and Irish music, Charlie has performed shows across Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. He is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he completed a BMus in Scottish Music.
Renowned for his technical precision, rhythmic drive and versatility, Charlie brings a distinctive, contemporary approach to traditional guitar accompaniment. His command of multiple tunings, intricate voicings and percussive techniques allows him to move seamlessly between driving, high-energy arrangements and more subtle, harmonically detailed accompaniment, adapting his playing to suit a wide range of musical contexts. Alongside his live performances, he has written and produced original scores for theatrical productions and built a significant online following of approaching 200,000 followers through his performances of traditional music.
Any particular career highlights?
My career highlights include performing on a main stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2025 to a full-capacity audience, perfoming at the OVO Hydro, selling out Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom and O2 Academy in consecutive years with Talisk, and consistently performing to large crowds at festivals around the world. Alongside recording and co-producing Talisk’s album Stems from This, I wrote and produced the original score for the Celtic theatre production A Taste of Ireland, which debuted in the West End before touring three continents. I have also collaborated with country music superstar Sierra Ferrell, performing alongside her in Glasgow, and built an online audience approaching 200,000 followers through videos dedicated entirely to traditional music.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I plan to record a solo album of traditional music while continuing to develop my identity as a guitarist. I hope to spend more time in Nashville, collaborating with bluegrass musicians and exploring the connections between Scottish, Irish and American traditional music, while also recording a new album with Talisk next year and continuing to tour and perform as extensively as possible. I’m also keen to develop a Patreon-based course focused on traditional guitar technique, sharing the knowledge and skills I’ve developed throughout my career. On a personal level, I would love the opportunity to collaborate with some of the musicians who have inspired me most, including Cara Dillon and Michael McGoldrick.
Charlie Galloway Social Media
Website: https://www.talisk.co.uk/
Instagram: @charliegalloway
Listen to music: https://open.spotify.com/album/21HkTRVDRxBikukkxW3WSa?si=dZZDe1FrQ3iS0Wx-3tOUxw&utm_source=copy-link
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves and many 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.