Edinburgh Folk Club looks to future with wealth of musical talent and annual Songwriting Competition

Edinburgh Folk Club’s weekly folk, roots and acoustic nights are set to continue into the spring and summer, along with the return of their annual Songwriting Competition.

Article Source: Edinburgh Folk Club
Last Updated: 3 April 2024 11:11

Following a successful first quarter with a host of folk talent and themed open mic nights, Edinburgh Folk Club’s weekly folk, roots and acoustic nights are set to continue into the spring and summer, along with the return of their annual Songwriting Competition.

Celebrating its 50th year at the heart of the capital’s traditional music scene, the beloved Club lights up Wednesday nights at Edinburgh’s Ukrainian Community Centre, bringing together performers and music lovers from all generations and backgrounds.

Despite facing uncertainty about its future recently, the Club is now springing forward, with a new committee formed to take Edinburgh Folk Club (EFC) forward for the new season, starting from September 2024.

The coming months are jam packed with intimate gigs from some well-known and much-loved names on the folk scene, alongside performances from exciting emerging talent, all set within a warm, welcoming and convivial atmosphere.

On Wednesday 3rd April, Ivor Novello Award nominated singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine will take to the Folk Club stage, treating audiences to his distinctive sound and impressive back catalogue. The following week award-winning fiddle player and singer Tom McConville, who first appeared at EFC in the mid-1970s and has performed there many times since, will make a welcome return.

The following Wednesday, 17th April, will see two esteemed Scots singers, Fiona Ross and Christine Kydd perform, before acclaimed singer-songwriter Findlay Napier closes the month out on Wednesday 24th with his famous warmth, wit and creativity.

The month of May kicks off with a performance from Bob Fox, one of the iconic voices of British folk song on the 1st, before Danish-Scottish folk duo The Quiggs take to the stage on Wednesday 8th May.

Celebrated folk singer Martyn Wyndham-Read, who has been part of the folk scene for over 60 years, is set to delight the Folk Club audience on 15th May, and the following Wednesday will see the Club host celebrated Scottish singer and musician Ed Miller.

The EFC’s annual Songwriting Competition, a fixture of the Club that gives musicians the chance to enter and perform an original song for judging on the night, is scheduled for Wednesday 29th May. Entries are open until Monday 20th May, and full details are available at https://efc1973.com/songwriting-competition.

The Wilson Family are the first performance at EFC in June, bringing their distinctive acapella folk sound to the Club on Wednesday 5th. They will be followed by Malinky, champions of traditional Scots song, on Wednesday 12th June.

Esteemed folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Allan Taylor will perform at EFC on Wednesday 19th June, and audiences can enjoy the music of Canadian acoustic roots duo Over The Moon the following week. Bringing the 2023-2024 season to a close on Wednesday 3rd July are renowned guitar and violin duo Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern.

Edinburgh Folk Club Chair, John Barrow, said: “We’re so proud of the environment the Edinburgh Folk Club creates, offering a communal, intimate atmosphere to experience live music that is becoming increasingly difficult to come across.

"Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Club in recent months, we’re looking to the future with positivity and optimism as we move into the spring and summer with a new committee poised to take over in September. Everyone is very welcome at the Folk Club so if this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, we’d love to see some new faces join us this season.

“We’re incredibly excited to be hosting so many wonderful musicians from Scotland and beyond and to once again be staging our annual Songwriting Competition. I would encourage any budding or established songwriters to enter, it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your skills to a new audience and hear from other emerging local talent, as well as being a lot of fun for all involved!”

For more information on Edinburgh Folk Club and to book tickets, visit: www.efc1973.com

Image: Boo Hewerdine

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