Congratulations to RANT who has / have been nominated in Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for RANT 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 Lauren of RANT the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
With the release of their 5th album ‘Live in Glasgow’ (***** The Scotsman), RANT remain at the forefront of the Scottish fiddle scene. The meeting of four of the country’s finest players, the quartet use just their fiddles to weave a tapestry of melodies, textures, layers and sounds.
Bethany Reid from Shetland, Anna Massie and Lauren MacColl from the Highland peninsula of the Black Isle, and Gillian Frame from the Isle of Arran join forces to showcase the combined resonance of their instruments with repertoire unearthed from both old collections and their own contemporary writing. RANT create a sound which is both spacious and lush, yet retaining all the earthy bite and spark synonymous with a Scottish fiddle player
‘Live in Glasgow’ was recorded during one special night in Cottiers Theatre in the heart of the city’s west end. It is a celebration of the place the band met during their student days – a city at the centre of their music making ever since – and is the culmination of 14 years of honing their craft together as a quartet. ‘Live in Glasgow’ is their first release on vinyl.
Their live set reflects years of honing a special sound together and their love for the music of their respective home regions through their writing, repertoire and stories
Any particular career highlights?
Their 2024 album 'Spin' was a homage to the music and influences that shaped their early careers. A 'covers' project, it draws on influences from across the global fiddle scene, meticulously arranged and performed, and awarded the German Critic's Award following its release. Their previous album 'The Portage' was awarded ‘Top of the World’ status from Songlines Magazine.
Since the release of their debut 'RANT' in 2013 – which won them critical acclaim in the form of a Herald Angel Award for outstanding performance across all the Edinburgh Festivals – the band have made major festival and concert appearances across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. They provided strings for Julie Fowlis’ Gach Sguel album, and their music has been used for both BBC and ITV national television programmes.
What are your plans for the future?
Continuing to write, record and perform both in the UK and internationally
RANT Social Media
Website: http://www.rantfiddles.com
Facebook: @RANTFIDDLES
Instagram: @RANTFIDDLES
YouTube: @RANTFIDDLES
TikTok: @RANTFIDDLES
Listen to music: http://https://rantfiddles.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-glasgow
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.