Edinburgh Tradfest music programme announced

This year’s music programme for Edinburgh Tradfest is now onsale with full programme launch on Wednesday 13th March.

Article Source: Edinburgh Tradfest
Last Updated: 26 February 2024 13:35

FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 3 May - Monday 13 May 2024

This year’s music programme for Edinburgh Tradfest is now onsale.

More festival events including film, storytelling, book launches and workshops will be announced at the Edinburgh Tradfest 2024 full programme launch on Wed 13 March at 10am at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. (save the date – full details to follow)

VALTOS | NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC | THE FRETLESS | BIRDVOX | TRIPTIC | DAIMH | JULIE FOWLIS | LENA JONSSON & BRITTANY HAAS | MARTIN SIMPSON

This year’s festival programme includes a fantastic line-up of live music at the Traverse and various venues across Edinburgh, thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, and the William Grant Foundation.

Opening the Festival on Friday 3 April at the Queen’s Hall is VALTOS which has taken the trad and electronic music world by storm. The band led by Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald will be joined by award-winning singer/songwriter Josie Duncan and more special guests to be announced.

Over the 11 days of the Festival there will be live music and workshops involving more than 100 musicians, including velvet harmonies from fresh new electro-trad band Birdvox (Inge Thomson, Charlotte Printer, Jenny Sturgeon, Sarah Hayes); Triptic formed from three members of Moishe’s Bagel (Greg Lawson, Phil Alexander and Mario Caribe), Canada’s finest fiddle quartet The Fretless joined by award-winning folk singer-songwriter Madeleine Roger; Scandi-fiddlers Nordic Fiddlers Bloc (Olav Luksengård Mjelva, Kevin Henderson and Anders Hall); Gaelic supergroupDàimh; multi-award winning acoustic and slide guitar master Martin Simpson; raucous fiddle folk duo Lena Jonssonfrom Northern Sweden and Brittany Haas from Northern California; and, one of Scotland’s best loved traditional music stars Julie Fowlis who will play at the festival’s closing concert in the Assembly Rooms with special guests Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr.

There will also be soloists and new emerging musicians performing every night in Traverse 2 including LA-based singer-songwriter Alice Howe (appearing with Freebo), multi-award-winning singer/harpist/composer Rachel Newton; electrofolk fiddle player Frankie Archer who won the 2023 Christian Raphael Prize and has featured on Later…With Jools Holland; piper Malin Lewis; jazz-crossover folk duo Norman&Corrie; Simon Bradley Trio (Simon Bradley, Anna-Wendy Stevenson, Michael Bryan); virtuoso musicians Simon Thoumire and Dave Milligan; Irish fiddler and bilingual singer Clare Sands; and BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist 2024 Evie Waddell.

This year’s special commission is Everyone’s Welcome to Edinburgh curated and arranged by award-winning fiddler Robbie Greig, with new and old tunes, and songs hailing from the capital city. Robbie will be joined for the gig by some of the most talented musicians in Scotland – Ciaran Ryan, Duncan Lyall, Hannah Rarity, Jenn Butterworth, and Signy Jakobsdottir.

Returning in 2024 is the festival’s popular Rebellious Truth lecture presented in collaboration with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. This year it will feature a talk and performance by legendary folk musician and broadcaster Archie Fisher which will be in-person and live-streamed. Also returning is the ETF Spotlight showcasing four of the most exciting new artists emerging in folk and traditional music today – Scots song and tunes trio ELÍR, clarinet and accordion duo Anna Scott and Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul from the Isle of Skye, the freshly formed folk trio Beatha (Iona Reid, Cam Lawson and Kenneth MacFarlane), and virtuoso solo guitarist Miguel Girão. And, finally Hands Up For Trad’s very own #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay annual concert is back on Saturday 4 May, the day when people all around the world are invited to record, video and upload themselves playing a strathspey to social media.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Every year we spend the run up to Edinburgh Tradfest searching for the very best traditional musicians from across Scotland, across the world and across the generations. There is such a wealth of talent out there. We hope you will find some of your favourite artists represented and some future favourites to try. We can’t wait to share this year’s festival with you.”

The full programme for this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest including events at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the Folk Film Festival, and the Edinburgh Folk Club will be launched on Wednesday 13 March and will include an unmissable line-up of talks, adult and children’s music workshops, ceilidhs, films, and storytelling thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, and the William Grant Foundation.

Edinburgh Tradfest 2024 will run from Friday 3 May - Monday 13 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com

Image: Birdvox (Inge Thomson, Charlotte Printer, Jenny Sturgeon, Sarah Hayes) headline Traverse 1 on Thu 9 May.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

SAY Award unveils Longlist

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today reveals the 20 outstanding Scottish albums on 2024's Longlist.

Unsigned band wrest sell out 2,000 capacity Barrowland Ballroom

Unsigned Edinburgh indie rock band wrest have sold out the legendary Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow - without industry support, a manager or label backing.

Edinburgh Leisure launches new pop up exhibition as part of Edinburgh 900

As part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, Edinburgh Leisure, the largest sports and leisure facilities provider across the city will be launching a new pop-up exhibition on Monday 30 September.

BBC Debate Night returns for 2024

BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns later this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.

Celebrate spooky season at Edinburgh Zoo

Celebrate spooky season at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo with a range of family-friendly and adult-only events.

New Scottish music awards receives over 3000 nominations in first 48 hours

The recently launched Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA), in association with GO Radio, has seen an overwhelming response, receiving over 3000 nominations in just the first 2 days.

Sotto Enoteca and Trattoria to open in Stockbridge

Sotto, a neighbourhood Enoteca and Trattoria, will open in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge on Friday 4th October.

Courtney Bowman To Join Johannes Radebe and Dan Partridge in Kinky Boots at Edinburgh Playhouse

Producers ROYO and Curve are delighted to announce WhatsOnStage Award-winner, Courtney Bowman, will star as Lauren in KINKY BOOTS The Musical playing at the Edinburgh Playhouse in February!

Tiqets reveals Nominees for Annual Remarkable Venue Awards

Tiqets, the leading online ticketing platform for museums and attractions, today announced the nominees for the prestigious Remarkable Venue Awards 2024 (RVAs) including two in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle celebrates the 900th anniversary of the city with return of Castle of Light

Edinburgh is celebrating its 900th anniversary in 2024 with a spotlight on the capital's incredible journey from the 12th century to the 21st.

Where to Find the Best Christmas Parties in Edinburgh for 2024

With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your Edinburgh Christmas party!

Gravity Active launches incredible new deals, just in time for Autumn

Gravity Active is excited to introduce two brand new offers, set to provide families with unforgettable experiences this Autumn.

The Pakora Bar Say Cheers to New game changing Pale Ale

Iconic Edinburgh family business The Pakora Bar have announced the launch of their highly-anticipated pale ale 'Chakk De Phatte'.

Star Casting Announced For Chicago The Musical At The Edinburgh Playhouse

David Ian for Crossroads Live in assocoation with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce star casting for multi-awarding winning CHICAGO, which plays the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025.

Conifox Adventure Park unveils ultimate Halloween Festival 2024

Prepare for a spine-tingling spooky season as Conifox Adventure Park proudly announces the return of Edinburgh’s ultimate Halloween Festival for 2024.

Join the V for Life Lunch Club

Hendersons, in collaboration with charity V for Life, is excited to announce a special lunch club event tailored for older vegans and vegetarians on Monday 23rd September.

Roxy Lanes Launch Student Discounts

Roxy Lanes, the ‘Booze & Ball Games’ venues, have launched a new selection of student discounts, available to claim through an exclusive student loyalty scheme, every Sunday to Thursday.

Edinburgh Butter Company announces search for the Best Croissant in Scotland

The Edinburgh Butter Company is excited to announce the launch of Scotland’s first-ever croissant competition, open to bakers across the country.

Local Social Enterprise Tackling Youth Food Poverty on National Food Bank Day

On National Food Bank Day, Edinburgh Food Social invites the community to join in their mission of empowering children through essential food education.

Get ready to be blown away... Twisters returns to 4DX at Cineworld

Hold onto your popcorn, because Cineworld is thrilled to announce the whirlwind return of the blockbuster hit Twisters to 4DX screens nationwide, due to an overwhelming tornado of popular demand!

Lannan to host Midweek Recipes pop up by Jess Elliott

On Thursday 26th September, Lannan - Darcie Maher's Stockbridge bakery - will host a pop-up by Jess Elliott Dennison, food writer and founder of Elliott's, in celebration of Jess's new book.

The Force reawakens at Vue venues in Scotland this September as the Star Wars saga returns to the big screen

Film fans are invited to revisit a galaxy far, far away this September as every main Star Wars film brings some of cinema's most iconic heroes and villains back to the big screen.

Great Scottish Run: 4 weeks to go

Are you ready to take on Scotland's greatest running event at this year's AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday 6 October?

Freshers... this bar NEEDS to be on your bucket list

What better way to break the ice with your new flatmates than with some competitive fun and few drinks? Cue Social Darts at Flight Club!

Social Bite joins The Pitt with dessert pop up

Leading homelessness charity Social Bite today announced their dessert pop-up as the newest addition to an exciting line up of local food businesses at The Pitt, Granton.

Unique venue offers the perfect stage

Festival-goers attending the fourth Music at the Multiverse festival at the weekend enjoyed fantastic live music, sunshine and showers in one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor venues.

Thousands from Northern Ireland set sail for Scottish universities

Students go FREE with Stena Line on Cairnryan and Liverpool routes.

Nigerian eatery to celebrate anniversary with weekend festivities in Edinburgh

Bongou Cafe, Edinburgh's cherished Nigerian eatery, will commemorate its fifth anniversary this weekend with a celebration and a series of exciting culinary developments!