Arts / Global cast of visiting acts announced for folk festival
MUSIC fans can now get a taste of next year’s Shetland Folk Festival after the line-up of visiting artists for the popular event was released.
The festival, set to take place from 1 to 4 May, will see acts from USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Estonia, Norway, France, Ireland, England, Scotland and the Isle of Man perform.
Organisers said audiences can expect a wide range of styles and genres such as classical, ragtime, traditional, bluegrass and gypsy jazz.
Making their Shetland debut are Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff, a duo “renowned for their masterful guitar-mandolin collaborations that blend traditional bluegrass roots with invigorating improvisation”.
Margo Cilker will also perform in the isles for the first time.
She has been hailed as “country rock’s new star” by Uncut and recognised as one of Americana’s rising talents.
The 43rd festival also welcomes back The Hot Seats, a high-energy group from Richmond, Virginia, who will bring a mix of bluegrass, old-time, and early country.
Another Shetland debutant from the States is Elias Alexander, a rare performer who combines live looping and electronics with a wide variety of instruments from bagpipes to fiddle, guitar, whistle, and keys.
Scottish-American jazz vocalist Ali Affleck leads The Traveling Janes, an all-women international ensemble that will transport audiences back to the vibrant roots of early jazz and blues.
Returning to Shetland for the first time since 1997 is Prince Edward Island’s acclaimed fiddler, Richard Wood.
The folk festival said that “with a career spanning over 30 years and accolades from iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Wood’s spirited music will be an inevitable highlight”.
He will be joined by Brent Chaisson on guitar and Kimberley Holmes on piano.
Representing Australia’s thriving folk scene are The Maes, a sister duo celebrated for their heartfelt song-writing and intricate harmonies.
There is also an Australian link with Good Guy Hank, an Americana band rooted in Scotland and Melbourne, blending “soulful storytelling with rich three-part harmonies and masterful musicianship”.
Mec Lir will be back in Shetland – the Isle of Man/Glasgow-based group known for their fusion of traditional melodies with modern synths and percussion.
Scottish button accordionist Paddy Callaghan, who is a Shetland Folk Festival favourite in his own right, will be performing with Mec Lir.
Blending deep-rooted folk tradition with boundary-pushing creativity, four-piece Astro Bloc include 2022 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Eryn Rae, and draw influences from Scotland, Ireland and beyond.
Another up and coming act are Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe & Daniel Quayle, who will bring Manx-Euro folk fusion.
The Budapest Café Orchestra, known for their fusion of Balkan, Russian, and Gaelic folk music, will also grace Shetland’s stages with “enchanting performances that evoke the spirit of old-world Tzigane fiddle maestros and the romance of Budapest cafes”.
Duo Ruut, an Estonian duo known for their innovative use of a single zither paired with haunting vocal harmonies, will also perform.
Julie Alapnes, an acclaimed Norwegian violinist and composer, will return to Shetland have been one of the folk festival’s Nordic Tone project students back in 2009.
This visiting artiste line-up will perform alongside a host of Shetland favourites, including Haltadans, who are nominated in this year’s MG Alba Hands up for Trad Awards for best folk band.
Details of further visiting and local artists will be announced over the coming months.
Early memberships are now on sale on the festival’s website and will remain on sale until the end of February.
The full concert programme will be released then, prior to ticket sales opening to early members on 3 March.
Festival spokesperson Louise Jamieson said: “We are thrilled to present such a diverse and talented visiting line-up for the 43rd Shetland Folk Festival.
“It’s always such an honour to welcome both new and familiar faces to Shetland and we’re looking forward to next year’s event being one of unforgettable music, collaboration, and community celebration.
“We’re grateful for the on-going support from our audiences, volunteers, and sponsors who make this festival possible, and we’re always interested in engaging with new partnerships and sponsors, to help us deliver all that we aspire to do.”
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