Arts / Full programme revealed for 43rd Folk Festival
THE PROGRAMME for the 43rd Shetland Folk Festival has been revealed, giving music lovers the chance to start planning their weekends.
Thirty two local artists have been confirmed to join the bill, including the ever-popular Kansa, North Ness Boys, Vair and Laeverick.
Singer Stewart Hutchison will also bring his humorous tunes to the folk festival stage, while there will be a festival debut for Treemandos – featuring legendary local mandolin players Gary Peterson, Kenny Johnson and Jenny Henry, backed by Grant Nicol and John Clark.
Scottish trad award nominees Haltadans had already been announced for the festival.
Late night revelry will also be delivered by the likes of popular party bands such as The Plonkys, First Foot Soldiers and Fullsceilidh Spelemanslag.
The 32 local artists join the bill alongside 15 visiting acts, who were previously announced, for the event from 1 to 4 May 2025.
Local supergroup Gemma Donald and Shetland Swing will be performing at Clickimin on the Saturday alongside The Maes, Budapest Orchestra and Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff.
Shetland Folk Festival said concerts would span from Hymhus in Bigton to Burravoe in Yell, and would offer something for everyone.
Like previous years the standing gig, Friday’s Spangin’ Spree, will take place at Clickimin with Mec Lir, Elias Alexander and Astro Bloc “sure to get audiences fired up”.
The family festive favourite Peerie Spang is also back on the Sunday, offering children a chance to strut their stuff on the dancefloor.
Themed concerts include Ringin’ Strings at Lerwick’s Columba’s Church, featuring the finest fiddle heritage acts locally and internationally, and an Americana themed concert at the Lerwick Legion.
Another new addition to the programme is power-fiddle Finnish duo TEHO, who will also lead an educational exchange with award-winning pianist Amy Laurenson.
A group of young Shetland musicians will collaborate with four Finnish counterparts over the weekend, with the end result being performed in Mareel on the Saturday night of the festival.
This project and much of the community outreach and schools programme has been supported through Creative Scotland’s National Lottery Open Fund, the festival’s organisers said.
More details will be announced nearer the time, including the festival club programme and workshops.
Tickets will go on sale for early members at 6pm on Monday 3 March, with memberships and remaining concert tickets going on sale to the general public on 10 March.
More information on the concert schedule can be found online.
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