‘Buy Tickets Now’ Appeal by Fresh Ayr Folk Fest

A Deadline of Optimism by Fresh Ayr Folk Fest organisers …

For the last three years we have been working towards a fresh new festival for the town of Ayr, the first of its kind and an injection of creativity for the local area. 

We have booked some of the best bands on the national music scene and worked tirelessly to bring an exciting and bespoke festival experience to the town. 

We fully understand the rise of living costs for everyone during this time and there are always risks putting on a new event. We have worked to mitigate risk wherever possible and we are close to making this happen – we are so close to meeting our margins and we are so close to being able to deliver but we are now looking for an investment from you – both financially and emotionally.

Advance tickets sales have never been more important than they are at this time, especially with the growing tendency to book last minute for events. Taking inspiration from other festivals in the same position, we are now setting a deadline of optimism. We are asking everyone who is planning to come to the festival, alongside anyone who is interested in a day out to Ayr, to please buy your tickets by midnight on Sunday 23 July. 

If we don’t reach our target of several hundred tickets by this Sunday we will have to make the difficult decision to postpone until 2024. We will be able to offer people refunds, but there will also be the option to roll your tickets over to next year. 

We truly hope that we will not be facing this horrible situation. We have an incredible weekend planned so please rally your friends and families, your fellow music lovers and everyone who you would like to attend this fantastic event with and invest in the future of Scotland’s cultural scene and the future of world-class music in Ayr.

Support the future of Fresh Ayr now @ https://freshayrfolkfest.com

We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click on the link to view their website and see the vast array of services they can offer Scottish musicians – http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com

40TH ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL OPENS TO RECORD BREAKING SALES

• Over 8,000 tickets sold for 40th Orkney Folk Festival, taking place this weekend: May 25-28, 2023
• Visiting artists from USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Wales, England and throughout Scotland set to join scores of artists from Orkney’s own famed folk scene. 
• 40th anniversary programme topped by globally renowned Scottish icons Capercaillie, flanked by community orchestra

The fortieth edition of the famed Orkney Folk Festival has opened – and in triumphant style, with the event smashing all previous ticket records. 

For the first time in the event’s four decades, over 8,000 concert tickets have sold for the four-day island festival, representing an uplift in excess of 10% on the previous record – set just last year, when the festival returned to a live event following the pandemic.

One of Scotland’s longest-running folk festivals, the Orkney Folk Festival is set to welcome over 50 acts and over 300 musicians to the festival over the coming weekend. The anniversary line-up sees the much anticipated return of globally renowned Scottish folk pioneers, Capercaillie, taking to the stage tomorrow night, Friday, alongside a local orchestra fronted by the Orkney Schools Instrumental Service. 

Musicians and singers from USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Wales, England and throughout Scotland will appear alongside scores of home-grown Orcadian artists in venues throughout Stromness and the Orkney mainland.

Making their way from Austin, Texas, the legendary hot jazz and Western swing group Hot Club of Cowtown will appear at the festival on a UK exclusive, ahead of a European tour. Likewise joining from the USA, Vermont cellist Eric Wright will appear alongside Cape Breton fiddler, Mairi Rankin, in their award-winning duo partnership. Also flying in from from eastern Canada is multi award-wining singer/songwriter, Mo Kenney.

A number of leading Scottish artists will make welcome returns in the festival’s anniversary year – including Elephant Sessions, Breabach and Kinnaris Quintet – whilst a number of Orcadian artists are heading home to join the scores of island-based talent that has provided the backbone of the festival for the last four decades. 

Having formed for the festival in 2014, globetrotting quartet Fara return in 2023, this year taking the musical director’s baton for the festival’s annual Gathering concert, acclaimed for putting Orcadian music centre stage in an expansive show with surprise guests. Building upon their 2022 album Energy Islands, Fara will explore Orkney’s abundance of renewable energy resources and the innovation taking place in the county through an international lens, with musical thoughts on green energy and the environment from a host of surprise guests.

One of Scotland’s finest and most acclaimed songwriters, Kris Drever embarks upon a tour celebrating his ‘Best Of’ anthology on home turf, joined by Louis Abbott, Euan Burton and Rachel Lightbody, whilst acclaimed four-piece Gnoss will be premiering new material from their third album, Stretching Skyward. 

They join home-grown favourites including Saltfishforty and The Chair in welcoming further visiting musicians including English duo Spiers & Boden – described by The Guardian as “the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene” – and Norway, Sweden and Shetland virtuosos, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. One of the most talked-about English folk acts to emerge in recent years, Katherine Priddy makes her debut appearances at the festival this weekend, so do the widely acclaimed Welsh trio, VRï. 

Amongst four days packed full of music, the multi award-winning theatre production, Thunderstruck – concerning the life and legacy of the late bagpiper, Gordon Duncan – will also play two shows at the festival, in Kirkwall and Stenness.

A total of 47 events in 18 venues across the county form the landmark anniversary programme – including concerts, ceilidhs, clubs, workshops and family events. Whilst more than half of all events will take place in the festival’s hometown of Stromness, festival shows will also take place in Birsay, Finstown, Harray, Kirkwall, Orphir, Sanday, Sandwick, St Margaret’s Hope, Stenness and Tankerness. Two long-term supporters of the festival, Highland Park and Swannay Brewery, will also open their visitor centre doors to festival gigs for the first time in the 40th anniversary.

In addition to the festival’s public programme, for the first time in 2023, every primary school on the Orkney mainland has been offered a free performance from artists visiting the festival, whilst musicians will also entertain care home residents over the weekend.

The festival gratefully receives generous support from public bodies and corporate sponsors, from throughout the local and national business communities – without whom the festival could not exist. This year’s principal supporters are Orkney Islands Council, The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, EventScotland and NorthLink Ferries, alongside a plethora of individual event sponsors.

The festival also benefits from many thousands of hours donated by hundreds of volunteers, who give their time freely to bring the world-renowned event together. From the twelve-strong year round management committee, and seven-person board, to those who might work on just one event in their local community hall, each one of the festival’s community team is vital to its long standing, continued and increasing success.

Orkney Folk Festival Producer, Craig Corse said: “As the curtain comes up on the 40th Orkney Folk Festival, it’s fantastic to be welcoming a record number of festival-goers this weekend. After forty years, we are very fortunate to have a loyal festival audience, many of whom make the journey to the isles every year to be part of the festival family. With a few new events this year, we’re excited to be throwing the festival doors open wider than ever before.

“There’s already a great buzz around Stromness with artists, crew and audiences arriving for the weekend ahead, whilst our expanded programme of schools visits is already well underway, ensuring the festival and Orkney’s own folk traditions continue to thrive for the next 40 years and beyond.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “Orkney’s musical heritage is woven into the islands’ unique identity. This is a place where past, present and future – from neolithic stones to renewable energy – sit side by side, accompanied by world-class traditions in fiddle, song and storytelling. For its 40^th anniversary, the Orkney Folk Festival presents a line-up of international stars and home-grown heroes that would be the envy of events the world over. However, it’s the talent of the local musicians – the schools, clubs, ceilidhs and community groups – that really captures the distinctive spirit of this festival across the spread of the islands.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “I’m delighted that EventScotland has been able to support the Orkney Folk Festival through our National Funding Programme and that such a momentous landmark for the event is being match by its record breaking ticket sales. Rich in history and tradition, Orkney is the perfect stage for this celebration of folk music with some iconic Scottish performers being joined by international acts for what is set to be a memorable fortieth edition.”

For further information, head to www.orkneyfolkfestival.com, and follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A sampler playlist of the 2023 festival line-up is also available on Spotify. 

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We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the

MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click on the link to view their website and see the vast array of services they can offer Scottish musicians –

http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com

Specsavers Scottish Music Awards Honours The Best Homegrown Talent At This Year’s Star-Studded Ceremony In Support Of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity

For its 24th edition, the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards – the flagship annual fundraiser of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity – united the country’s music community in celebration of stars past, present and future. The glittering ceremony saw exclusive live performances from award-winners Rod Stewart, Altered Images, The View, Peat & Diesel, Tamzene, Dylan John Thomas and Rianne Downey, while local legends Lewis Capaldi, Paolo Nutini and Gerry Cinnamon, amongst others, also took away top prizes.

* Peat and Diesel (above) received the Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award :: photo by Jamie Stone

In alphabetical order, the full list of winners for the 2022 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards are:

Clare Grogan (Altered Images) – Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Living Legend Award

Craig Logan – Go Radio Music Industry Award

Dylan John Thomas – Dean Banks & Mond Vodka Breakthrough Artist Award

Ewan McVicar – Ballantine’s / Sub Club Electronic Music Award

Gerry Cinnamon – King Tut’s Songwriting Award

Gun – Hard Rock Cafe Rock Legend Award

Lewis Capaldi – Raymond Weil Global Artist of the Year Award

Paolo Nutini – Guitar Guitar’s Best Album Award AND Ticketmaster’s Best Live Act Award

Peat & Diesel – Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award

Rianne Downey – Tennent’s Light Breakthrough Award

Rod Stewart – Specsavers Outstanding Achievement in Music Award

Tamzene – VEGA Rising Star Award

The View – Rox ‘Diamonds & Thrills’ Special Recognition Award

Wet Leg – SWG3’s Best UK Artist Award

For a second year, the event was held at Barrowlands Ballroom and also included British Sign Language performance with speeches and acts performed in BSL interpretations. 

The event saw over £170,000 raised for Nordoff Robbins through donations at the event as well as through live auctions, to allow the charity to provide their services to those who need it most. Guided by belief in the value of music to all people in our society, the funds raised from the event allows Nordoff Robbins to train music therapists of the future, deliver life-changing music sessions and undertake ground-breaking research into the impact of music therapy.

Award winning presenter and broadcaster, and long-time supporter of Nordoff Robbins, Edith Bowman returned once again to host the event. 

Edith commented – “I am genuinely delighted to be back, and I never take for granted being asked to do this – whenever I do its ‘yes please’. We are back at the Barrowlands and I’m so pleased to have you all join us to celebrate the wealth and depth of talent in Scotland. Behind all the glitz and glamour is a purpose, and for tonight more so than ever, raising vital funds for Nordoff Robbins Music therapy.”

She was joined on the red carpet by Scottish stars across a wide range of genres encapsulating the country’s diverse musical landscape. Tamzene kicked off the show with an incredible performance after picking up VEGA’s Rising Star Award – tribute to her journey from being discovered busking on the streets of Inverness, to now having graced some of the country’s biggest and best stages from TRNSMT Festival to the legendary King Tuts. Next, music legend Sir Rod Stewart was honoured with the Specsavers Outstanding Achievement Award , before performing a rendition of ‘Maggie May’ with John McLaughlin which was a roaring sing-along success with Scotland’s music community.

On collecting his award, Rod said “I’ve received many awards before, but none from the land of my beloved father, so this is very special to me. I’d love to think that despite my English accent that I’m one of yous”

Glasgow rockers Gun won Hard Rock Cafe’s Rock Legend Award, which they accepted remotely from Hard Rock Cafe in Lisbon amongst a string of live gigs around Europe. Next, ‘Tell Me Something Good’ superstar Ewan McVicar took the Ballantine’s & Sub Club Electronic Music Award.

Ewan McVicar said: “I’ve been all around the world to clubs and festivals but there’s not one f*cking place like the Sub Club in Glasgow”

Dylan John Thomas scooped Dean Banks & Mond Vodka Breakthrough Artist Award following his incredible year, not only selling out Barrowlands but also making his Glastonbury debut. In his acceptance speech before his crowd-pleasing performance, he paid tribute to music legend Alan Smith saying “I’d like to dedicate this award to Alan who sadly passed last week. He was always the glue for the artists. Alan was always there and I’ll miss him”

Dundee band The View also captivated the crowds, teasing their highly anticipated comeback, kicking off the set telling the crowd “Get aff yer seats everybody” before bagging the Rox ‘Diamonds & Thrills’ Special Recognition Award.

Social media sensation Rianne Downey was the worthy winner of Tennent’s Light Breakthrough Award following latest release ‘Devil’s Gonna Get You’ which she stunned Scottish Music Awards’ crowds with, even getting a standing ovation from Sir Rod Stewart.

Rianne Downey said “I’m so honoured. I’d like to thank everyone that support me through my journey but it’s coming fast. You’re all making this wee Bellshill lassies dream come true”

This came as Paolo Nutini, who is back with a bang following a four-year hiatus, was celebrated winning the Guitar Guitar’s Best Album Award and Ticketmaster’s Best Live Act Award ahead of five upcoming shows at the OVO Hydro later this year. 

In his acceptance video he said “I’d like to thank Nordoff Robbins for giving me this award and for all the great work they’ve done. Also, a special thanks to DF Concerts for putting on the shows and giving me a platform. Have fun and see you soon”

Isle of Wight duo Wet Leg accepted the SWG3’s Best UK Artist Award virtually, recognising their outstanding self-titled debut album, with the pair saying they are proud to support the work of Nordoff Robbins, before Stornoway sensations Peat & Diesel got the party started picking up the Royal Highland Centre Sound of Scotland Award. 

Gerry Cinnamon, famed for his sing-along choruses, won King Tut’s Songwriting Award, with renowned artist Ross Muir accepting on this behalf. Ross said “Gerry’s songs mean the f*cking world to me man. Gerry is sorry he couldn’t be here tonight but he’s sure yous are all having fun”

Peat & Diesel said “We don’t often get these opportunities. We just wanna say a big thank you to all the guys who have supported us. Big thanks to Robbin Higgs…for pushing us and believing in us”

Bros’ bassist turned record label boss Craig Logan was recognised by the Go Radio Music Industry Award, with pop sensations Alife Boe and Pixie Lott featuring in his winners video,  followed by deserving winner Lewis Capaldi who took home the Raymond Weil Global Artist of the Year Award after his comeback track ‘Forget Me’ catapulted to number one, firmly cementing the Scottish star on the international music scene. Lewis accepted his prize through a pre-recorded message, and in classic Capaldi style thanked Nordoff Robbins and the Scottish Music Awards for his award, saying:

“It genuinely means a lot to me. The Scottish Music Awards has been such a big part of my journey. It is such an incredible thing to be a part of, and all the money being raised for Nordoff Robbins is incredible”

The final award of the evening went to Altered Images’ Clare Grogan who received the prestigious Sir Reo Stakis Foundation Living Legend Award, as she rounded off the night with an incredible performance from ‘Mascara Streakz’ – her first album in more than 38 years.

Claire said “Oh my god! what a moment to have in Scotland in Glasgow my hometown!This award should be called the award for the girl that wouldn’t give up.I wouldn’t be here without my mum and dad who are sadly not here but they have me this.. the gift of being myself! I love being Scottish I love Nordoff Robbins!

Specsavers founder, Mary Perkins, said: “It is a great honour to sponsor the Scottish Music Awards once again and of course the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award.

“Not only do we get to celebrate the best of Scotland’s homegrown talent but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Nordoff Robbins – a very worthy charity which helps provide vital support through music therapy.

“I would like to congratulate Rod Stewart on his prestigious accolade on the evening – he truly deserves the high-profile acknowledgement.”

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff Robbins, said: “What a fantastic night at the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. We are humbled by the Scottish music industry’s ongoing support of Nordoff Robbins and grateful to all the winners and performers that joined us at the Barrowlands this year. The funds raised through the SMAs will go directly towards our mission to continue sharing the power of music as far and wide as possible, helping people to connect and communicate through music therapy.”

In his welcome speech, Donald C MacLeod, Scottish Fundraising Chairman for Nordoff Robbins said “

The Scottish music awards is Scotland’s premier music awards ceremony… a glittering event which for 24 years – celebrating deserving industry figures, musicians, songwriters and artists who contribute to a nations rich and musical heritage.

We all know that music can break barriers and create a space for people to express themselves and connect – something I’m sure you will all be doing tonight.

Over the past 10 months Nordoff Robbins, which is non-government funded has used the money it receives by way of donations to fund over 37,000 therapy sessions which around 12,500 are in Scotland across 330 partnerships helping them to express themselves and connect vital work that takes place in children’s hospices, dementia care homes, mental health hospitals and SEN schools.

And as the need for life changing services grow, so does the need for yet more funding… please tonight .. dig deep.. donate what you can, always remember, every note counts!”

http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

http://www.twitter.com/nordoffrobbins

http://www.facebook.com/NordoffRobbins

We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click on the link to view their website and see the vast array of services they can offer Scottish musicians – http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com

SHADES OF AMBER :: MacLeans Art and Music present “Shades of Amber 2022”

Shades of Amber 2022 is a development from the previous pre-covid ‘Perthshire Amber Festival’ and will be in part a series of concerts and in part a get together and chat with friends and food and some great music sessions! The four individual concerts are being held at Cardney Steading, Perthshire from Friday 4th – Sunday 6th November.

Dougie and Jenny MacLean have always felt spontaneous music sessions to be the lifeblood of any musical event and Dougie is very much looking forward to a weekend with less travel to and from venues and the necessary sound and lighting checks involved…and more time for making music with friends!

So this will be a series of concerts over the weekend in the Old Mill where Dougie will be joined by musical friends from over the years, as well as informal music sessions in the Rustic Cattle Shed and around the Firepit! … there’s no script or tight schedule and it will be kept as informal and spontaneous as possible … and see where the music takes us!

Jenny said: “We are lucky that so many of the musicians who’ve performed with Dougie in the past are still great friends and will be here for the performances during the weekend including a full line-up of: Ross Ainslie, Tim Edey, Pete Garnett, Sorren Maclean and Hannah Fisher, Mairi Sutherland, Katie Kross & Ross Barron, Gina Macleod & Alan Jordan, Davie Duncan, Gordon Maclean, Alan Sutherland, Ali Fergusson, Chris Agnew to name but a few….with  other ‘surprise’ guests still to be announced. We are thrilled that these and other great musical friends are joining us!”

All this will be combined with an exhibition of Jenny’s watercolours and weavings throughout the wonderful spaces that make up the Cardney Steading venue, along with a cosy corner for The Big Knit (Shades of Amber fundraising initiative for the Cyrenians charity) – this will all make for a great weekend!

Dougie MacLean commented: “We have thought long and hard and it just didn’t seem right to go forward with a traditional style of festival with headline acts and tightly programmed concerts. We had hoped to release the programme of concerts and artists at the beginning of September but it just didn’t feel right under the current circumstances. With many concerts and events of late being postponed and cancelled due to so many of the performers getting covid (and the other illnesses going around), we decided that an event that can ebb and flow with these turbulent times would be wiser”.

Then Jenny MacLean commented: “One of the things we personally missed most about Perthshire Amber (and one of the most liked elements of past festivals!) was the Farewell Bash …. along with the Dougie MacLean with Friends Concerts. We have decided to make the whole weekend like one long Dougie with Friends Concert!”

The Farewell Concert with the full line-up will be streamed live to an global ticketed audience and another concert (yet to be announced) will be streamed free of charge to MacLean’s growing global audience.

For more information visit ::

http://www.perthshireamber.com/shadesofamber2022

http://www.dunkeld.com/collections/shades-of-amber-2022

We are delighted to have the Scottish Music Centre as a sponsor of the MUSIC NEWS Scotland ‘Latest News’ Blog – please click on the link to view their website and see the vast array of services they can offer Scottish musicians – http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com

TMSA Aberdeen hosts ‘The World’s Room’ … with Steve Byrne

Showcasing the talents of the finest traditional singers in the country, Aberdeen Branch of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) are delighted to host The World’s Room in Aberdeen on Friday 9 September.

This is the second event in Aberdeen – following in the footsteps of The World’s Room in Edinburgh – in bringing the finest traditional singers from Scotland and rest of the UK to perform.

The format of these evenings is the guest singer opening and closing each half with a song from several of the attendees in between, this leads to a fine mix of song and a feeling of everyone being involved in the evening entertainment. The Branch are looking to host 3 or 4 World’s Room per year. 

On this 9 September they are pleased to have as their guest Mr Steve Byrne. 

Steve hails from Arbroath in Angus. He is best known for his work with award-winning Scots folksong band Malinky. A graduate of the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, in his time he has been Traditional Arts Officer for the city of Edinburgh; song cataloguer for the landmark Kist o Riches/Tobar an Dualchais sound archive project; and co-founded the Hamish Henderson Archive Trust to help secure the papers of the Scottish poet and folklorist. With ‘Local Voices’ he runs public folklore workshops in communities around Scotland. In 2017, he worked as folk singing coach for Netflix’s Robert the Bruce epic, “Outlaw King”. He is a devotee of the works of Violet Jacob and her fellow Angus poets, following in the tradition of the late great Jim Reid. In 2019, Steve was voted Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards. 

The event will be held at the Airyhall Community Centre, Countesswells Rd, Aberdeen AB15 8AD at 8.30pm with the doors open from 8pm. Entry is £7 paid at the door on the night. Bring your own refreshments. More details@  www.facebook.com/AberdeenTMSA

TMSA Aberdeen Branch have an active event programme with a monthly singing session, Competitions Day and Ceilidh in March, the World’s Room evenings, 2 Doric Concerts in October and a St Andrews Ceilidh in November.They also partner with other organisations such as SCaT to run workshops for young people and recently with TMSA Keith Branch to present the ‘Trad Time wi TMSA’ programmes aired on Keith Community Radio – available on 107.7fm or online at http://www.kcr.fm – details of these are posted on their Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/AberdeenTMSA

Thank you to the Scottish Music Centre for sponsoring our ‘Latest News’ blogs, discover their valuable work for the Scottish music industry @ www.scottishmusiccentre.com