INSIDE:

Orkney Folk Festival :: Pandora Fest : Glasgow Jazz Festival : Eden Festival : HebCelt : T in the Park : Solas : Speyfest : Edinburgh Blues & Jazz Festival ..... PLUS our 4 page Scottish music festival listings

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Festivals!

Scotland's Music

the Scottish music festival supplement from MUSIC NEWS Scotland

RURA (pictured) play Orkney Folk Festival which runs from 26-29 May - see page 3

www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

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With only days to go until the 34th Orkney Folk Festival gets underway artists are starting to arrive for what is guaranteed is going to be one huge musical party!

Artists from the United States, Canada, Finland, Ireland, England, mainland Scotland, Shetland and the Hebrides will join with Orkney’s own talent at the annual four-day event.

Live Act of the Year at the 2015 Scots Trad Music Awards, RURA; Scottish fiddling sensations, Session A9; traditional Irish song quartet, Lynched; Acadian trio, Vishtèn, who hail from Canada’s Prince Edward Island and Montreal; Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra, who fuse Western Swing, Gypsy Jazz, country and blues; stalwart of the West Country folk scene, and father of a folk dynasty, Geoff Lakeman; popular Shetland fiddle and guitar duo, Maggie Adamson and Brian Nicholson; rising Scottish singer and ukulele player, Zoë Bestel will all take to Orkney’s stages this year.

Visiting acts will be welcomed by a stellar cast of Orcadian musicians and singers, which so far includes one of Orkney’s best known musical sons, Ivan Drever, returning to the festival for the first time in eight years, to celebrate his sixtieth birthday in fitting style; power duo Saltfishforty, who will reprise their Saltfish@forty Celtic Connections show on home turf; Orkney’s world-renowned and much loved musical twins, The Wrigley Sisters; and nationwide festival favourites, The Chair.

This year’s festival will encompass over 30 ticketed events, across its four days. Rather than offering an all-in-one festival site, concerts and ceilidhs takes place in venues throughout the Orkney mainland and some neighbouring isles. Alongside a number of venues in the festival’s hometown and hub of Stromness, the 2016 festival will visit Birsay, Finstown, Harray, Kirkwall, Orphir, Quoyloo and St Margaret’s Hope, as well as the islands of Hoy, Shapinsay and Westray.

“The term ‘folk’ means very different things to lots of people, and Orkney aims to cater for as many of those varying strands and interpretations as they can.

www.orkneyfolkfestival.com https://twitter.com/OrkneyFolkFest www.facebook.com/orkneyfolkfestival

Orkney Folk Festival prepares to celebrate their 34th festival

Orkney : 26-29 May : www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

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Buy Orkney Folk Festival tickets @ https://uk.patronbase.com/_OrkneyFolkFestival/Productions/

Zoe Bestel : photo by Brian Sweeney

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On 16 July Pandora Fest will host Scotland's first Women's Music Festival at DunCarron Medieval Fort in Carron Valley near Falkirk. In its debut year, the festival aims to redress the balance of female artists playing within the festival scene.

'In 2015 - the major festivals displayed a massive gender imbalance. Of the 87 acts that were announced, 78 were all male, 3 were female and 6 were mixed groups. That, was an 89.6% all male line up!' * The Guardian Newspaper Music Section by Alexandra Pollard, Feb 2015.

Headlining are the all-female London band Courtesans, also from London comes singer-songwriter Sofia B. From afar are California Electronics artist ContainHer, Texas singer-songwriter Erin Bennett, New York rapper Flapjack and Australian melodic lyricist Emaline Delapaix.

The spectrum of different musical styles ranges from the Yorkshire neo-punks Arcane 39 to afro/ psyche alt rock Vodun, from classic jazz fusion duo Syntonic to indie pop trio Bugeye.

A handful of Scottish young singer-

songwriters are given their first shot at a festival stage including the 2016 Soundwaves Winner, Alannah Moar. From our very own songstress Caroline Gilmour to the rock outfit Bravado and the all female funk band One More, both from Dundee, and more; Scotland is thoroughly represented.

Pandora Fest's website lists all other confirmed artists with more to come. The festival is also calling for submissions from female artists across the UK and beyond. Pandora Fest is family and LGBTI friendly, will be running two stages of live music of all genres from 11am to 11pm and plans on becoming an annual event.

Miss Daalmeijer and Mrs Duchat formed Pandora Fest in collaboration with Attack Agency who are based in Central Scotland and whose aim is to deliver world class artist management, event organisation; talent development and recently, a record label primarily for women and female led musical enterprises. The festival is also collaborating with The Clanranald Trust for Scotland who raise funding for Duncarron through their educational activities and their work as combat performers for the film and television industries.

Pandora Fest is Scotland's first and the UK's premier women's music festival; supporting women musicians and celebrating female musicianship across all genres. The assumption that it is a woman only event would be wrong! Any criticism of being anti-male is entirely unfounded; the festival stage is open to male musicians and the audience will be a traditional summer blend of everyone who loves good music.

www.pandorafest.com www.twitter.com/PandoraFest www.facebook.com/PandoraFestOfficial

New women's music festival coming to central Scotland!

Falkirk : 16 July : www.pandorafest.com

Buy Pandora Fest tickets @ http://www.pandorafest.com/tickets.html

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Erin Bennett : www.erinbennettmusic.com photo by Art Attack Films

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Glasgow Jazz Festival has announced a bumper line-up to celebrate its 30th festival. With some of the biggest names in Jazz, the very finest of Scotland’s homegrown talent, some of the most well-known festival faces and an array of one-off musical collaborations, the 30th festival promises to be the very best yet!

The festival will take place in various venues across the city from Wednesday 22 June. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls, The Old Fruitmarket, St Luke’s and The Hug and Pint will all come alive with the sound of jazz during the festival’s landmark 30th edition.

Some of the stalwart performers who have been involved since the maiden year will once again grace the festival’s stage.

Glasgow’s very own Jazz Singer Carol Kidd performed at the very first Glasgow Jazz Festival and has that gig to thank for one of her most well-known stage characteristics, as she mentions in this interview: “I did the very first Glasgow Jazz Festival…and I was absolutely petrified, because it was my first time singing with an orchestra. I looked down at my feet halfway through the second number and I realised that I had been so nervous, my shoes were on the wrong feet. So I took them off – and I’ve never worn them onstage since.” Carol, and her bare feet, will be back at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in St Luke’s on Saturday 25 June.

Another well-recognised festival face, vibraphonist Joe Locke and his Quartet, will also be playing in the Old Fruitmarket on Sunday 26 June. They will be supported by young jazz quartet Square One who are best known for their free spirited, energised performances.

Fresh from a two week Coachella residency, tenor saxophonist extraordinaire Kamasi Washington will be playing the Queen Margaret

Union on Monday 27 June.

2016 promises to be a massive year for one-off collaborations at the Glasgow Jazz Festival. The legendary saxophonist Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, one of the key members of James Brown’s band in the 1960s and co-writer of hits such as “Cold Sweat”, will join Glasgow’s modern funk pioneers Federation of the Disco Pimp. Combining Pee Wee’s legendary sound with FOTDP’s elements of Old-School Funk, Disco,

Psychedelic and Jazz promises to be an unforgettable collaboration. They will be playing the Old Fruitmarket on Thursday 23 June.

Scotland’s mighty jazz trumpeter Ryan Quigley and his Big Band will be joined by Hamish Stuart, of Average White Band fame, for a very special one-off collaborative concert at the Old Fruitmarket on Friday 24 June.

Grahame Skinner, formerly frontman of Hipsway, will also perform his take on Frank Sinatra’s concept album, Watertown, written by Bob Gaudio of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Skinner has given the cult album an electronic make-over for this year’s Glasgow Jazz Festival. He will perform on Thursday 23 June at St Luke’s.

To mark the 30th anniversary, the festival is celebrating some of the up-and-coming musicians within the Scottish Jazz Scene today by naming “30 Under 30” – a collection of young Scottish Jazz musicians making waves in the global music scene, many of whom will perform at the Festival.

To further celebrate this landmark year, Glasgow Music City Tours have programmed a unique walking tour that will trace the history and highlights of the city’s longest-running annual music event. Entitled Glasgow Music City Tours Presents: 30 Years of Glasgow Jazz Festival, the tour will depart from the Scottish Music Centre, Candleriggs at 2pm on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June. Walkers will hear tales of visits from the greats, including Miles Davis and Tony Bennett, and get the inside track on how the Festival has used Glasgow's enduring love affair with jazz and blues to help make it the vibrant live music city it is today.

Boasting a richly diverse programme, which features everything from trad and Dixie to free jazz, soul, world music, blues and hip-hop crossovers and traditional to contemporary jazz, there is something for everyone.

Jill Rodger, Director of Glasgow Jazz Festival, said: “We are very excited to be launching the 30th Glasgow Jazz Festival! I can’t wait to introduce the array of exciting big name artists to the Glasgow Jazz Festival stage, to welcome back old friends and showcase some fantastic new, one-off collaborations.

“I am especially looking forward to celebrating the “30 Under 30” musicians – the collection of young Scottish Jazz musicans making a big impression on the international Jazz scene today. It is vitally important to recognise the next generation of musicians and one of the key themes of this year’s festival is looking forward to the exciting next 30 years that the Glasgow Jazz scene has to offer.”

www.jazzfest.co.uk www.facebook.com/glasgowjazzfest https://twitter.com/glasgowjazzfest

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Glasgow Jazz Festival to celebrate Scotland's young jazz musicians

Glasgow : 22 June - 3 July : www.jazzfest.co.uk

Buy Glasgow Jazz Festival tickets @ www.jazzfest.co.uk/tickets/

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Federation Of The Disco Pimp : photo by Liam Dickson

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the mns collection ….

Read the three MNS digital publications

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Eden Festival's main Devorgilla Stage has headline acts playing an array of music from the likes of Morcheeba, King Charles, Andreya Triana, Gentlemans Dub Club, Conga Natty and many more ..... but what's happening in the other areas? Here's a sample from the 11 stages you can soak up and enjoy. Eden's new Boardwalk Arena returns for its second year, nestled in the woods across the boardwalk bridge. It features sweet reggae music booming through the awesome bike powered reaction sound system at the foot of the stunning viewpoint, built amongst the bluebells of the Raehills meadow by the mythical Dingle Clan. But to hear it you got dig deep and peddle hard. Looking under the palm trees is the Ghilli Dhu Dance Emporium, Eden Festival's largest dance tent, you'll find some of the finest dance acts blasting out from the vintage bus DJ booth and 10ft uber speaker. A colourful melting pot of everything from Drum 'n' Bass to Soca, back to Bassline and Breakbeat and over to Electro and Techno and anything in between - there will be something to suit any dance fan. Through the winding paths of Eden Festival’s dance arena you will come across The Voltan Psychedelic Temple, Eden’s psychedelic quadrant, hosting an array of Psy Trance artists from around the circuit. Stretch your head back and the see the luminescent projections finely mapped across the stages atmosphere, with spectrums of colour and light bouncing off aerial installations. Rabbies Tavern will provide an auld Scottish bar to drink the local hooch with live bands playing Celtic, roots, rockabilly, bone shaking blues and anything else that makes you stomp your foot, and hoist yer tankards! They will also host a traditional Scottish Ceilidh each night and some Karaoke. Plus there's a new addition to the cabin this year with more music and fun and games with the Wee Tim’Rous Stage. And the kids will be well lokked after as you enjoy the music ..... Eden Festival will be transporting you back in time,

into a land of dragons and dreams, with this years fancy dress theme Myth’s and Legends. The Kidz Arena will take you to middle earth and beyond, to a world full of serpents, dragons, elves and fairies.

The area will be awash with colour, beautiful giant flora, and other mythical creatures. Most of the craft workshops will follow the same theme and children will be able to make their own elfish flags, creature masks, carnival birds and time travelling backpacks, culminating in a festival parade across the site on Sunday afternoon.

There’s so many workshops to keep them occupied with the craft marquee, forest skills tipi, little ones dome, arts yurt, and a story telling and a puppetry marquee. If that wasn’t enough to keep them entertained they can learn new skills such as circus tricks, carpentry, stone masonry, ironmongery and more. Plus they can take part in the dance offs, the annual paint fight, be motivated by Mr Motivator, and dazzled by the fire show and firework display.

Producing the Kidz Arena is Maggie March ‘We hope to inspire new generations by providing a range of workshops and entertainment whilst being as sustainable as possible and promoting environmentally friendly arts and crafts in a natural setting, at no extra charge to the parents. They can feel assured as the area is managed by a dedicated team of staff, performers and volunteers all working together to create a happy environment.”

Save the date! Eden Festival is on from the 9-12 June in the Raehill Meadows of Dumfries Scotland. Over 250 acts performing over 11 stages, there’s something for everyone. Tickets start from £115 for adults, teenagers £85 and under 12’s are free, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

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There's loads to enjoy at Eden Festival away from the main stage

Raehills Meadows, Moffat : 9-12 June : www.edenfestival.co.uk

Buy Eden Festival tickets @ www.edenfestival.co.uk/MAIN/?page_id=35

Bella and the Bear play 'Rabbies Tavern'

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After 11 years, Willie Campbell and Charlie Clark had much to catch up on. A meeting in Los Angeles last year led to a collaboration that produced 30-40 songs, and now they are ready to release a new album and will be back on the road together this summer as a re-formed Astrid, the band they founded in the mid-990s.

Together with fellow Lewisman Gareth Russell, and Gareth Thom, they made three albums and toured Europe and America before splitting in 2004 at the end of a tour supporting Snow Patrol.

The intervening years has seen them work on solo projects and with other bands. Campbell is a founding member of the Reindeer Section, featuring Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, and has released two albums with The Open Day Rotation.

He has also issued an album of Gaelic songs and has written music for a Gaelic project entitled ‘Akutagawa’ with producer Colin Macleod, writer Kevin MacNeil and violinist Jane Hepburn.

Clark was also part of the Reindeer Section and later appeared as a guest vocalist and musician with artists including The Zephyrs, Arab Strap, Mogwai and Snow Patrol before setting up home in Los Angeles. With writing partner Brandi Emma, he went on to form Broken Arrow in 2014 and, later, Charlie Clark and the Majestic 12. This year he also founded a new record label, Indiscretion Records, with wife Michelle Mondragon.

So an Astrid reunion had not even been thought about until last year when Campbell had the opportunity to visit LA with the intention of doing some solo gigs and perhaps writing something with Clark.

“I’m not sure how the conversations went exactly, but the more we spoke the more we figured we might as well put an album together”, recalls Campbell. “We started sending demos to each other and picked ten songs that we thought worked best out of a batch of 30-40 tunes.

“We recorded a full album while I was there. We

work really well together and have our own different projects for certain types of songs. Charlie's solo EP was great and Broken Arrow are a fantastic band, but we both agree Astrid has a specific sound that we wandered away from with our last album. This new stuff is a bit like our ‘back in the day’ sound.

“You can hear we're having fun in the recording. We maybe competed a bit with each other when we were younger, but there was none of that this time. It was a brilliant experience. He's writing the best music and songs he ever has. It was the easiest album to make by a long way.

“Musically it's still pretty energetic, but we both feel confident that these are better songs. Harmonies are very much to the fore. Charlie's acoustic and my electric are still there. It all sounds more sure of itself. It's a bit like it used to be but better, we think.”

Clark agrees: “Even though it’s been 11 years since we worked together it did not feel like that at all. Willie and I had so much fun with everyone making, in all honesty, what we feel is the best Astrid record yet.”

A new single and album will follow, as well as a tour which will include an appearance at the Hebridean Celtic Festival from 13-16 July in Stornoway in the island of Lewis.

“Where better for Astrid to do their first home gig?” says Willie. “We're grateful to HebCelt for giving us this opportunity to perform.

“We always got such amazing support when we played at home but never performed at the festival. It’s great to think that people that

would have listened to us in school will now be in the crowd with their kids. It's going to be a buzz.”

So does Astrid have a future given the various projects both Campbell and Clark are already involved in? The latest Open Day Rotation album has been delayed since January while the Astrid re-union continues, and Clark has two solo EPs planned for next year.

“We agree this is something we'd like to continue with”, says Campbell. “It's been so easy and enjoyable. We're both in other bands with albums pending so of course we'll go off and do that after this Astrid album is all done with, but it feels like it's got legs for sure.”

This year’s HebCelt will also feature, among others, Runrig, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Hayseed Dixie, Julie Fowlis, King Creosote and Breabach.

The festival has grown from a small event attracting less than 1,000 fans, to an international showpiece for roots, Celtic and traditional music, generating more than £20 million for the local economy over two decades.

Last year, it marked its 20th anniversary by hosting its biggest number of live performances ever with more than 50 hours of music and arts events staged in the main arena in the grounds of Lews Castle, as well as An Lanntair arts centre in the town centre and other venues in rural areas.

www.hebceltfest.com https://twitter.com/hebcelt www.facebook.com/HebCelt

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HebCelt Will Be Perfect Gig For Reformed Astrid

Stornoway, Lewis : 13-16 July : www.hebceltfest.com

HebCelt tickets @ www.hebceltfest.com/booking/

Astrid

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T in the Park festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent’s Lager are excited to welcome Scottish trio Fatherson to the packed T in the Park bill, and in tandem with that the band also announce their “The Road to T in the Park” Highlands and Islands tour ahead of their trip to the festival over 8-10 July.

The band’s fourth T in the Park appearance will be preceded by a selection of May dates across Skye, Thurso, Orkney and Aberdeen, as they take their well-wrought tunes to venues this month. Fatherson have already secured support from Radio 1, Radio X and Absolute Radio ahead of the release of their second album, Open Book, due to be released on 3 June.

Fatherson have been striking a resonant chord with crowds at home in Scotland these past our years. Two singles (‘Mine For Me’ and ‘I Like Not Knowing’) secured national support and airplay from Radio 1’s

Huw Stephens, Zane Lowe and Greg James. They were from the 2014 band’s self-released debut album, ‘I Am An Island’ and there was an unexpectedly packed-out show in the 12,000-capacity King Tut’s tent at T In The Park. In November 2015 the band launched the first single ‘Always’ taken from second album ‘Open Book’ (due summer 2016), securing further support at Radio 1, Radio X (Shock of the New) and Absolute amongst others.

Further afield, the school friends from smalltown Ayrshire have played in the UK and Europe with Idlewild, Twin Atlantic , Lonely The Brave, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Enter Shikari, Frightened Rabbit. They also travelled to SXSW last year where they gained more support from fans and critics alike (Wired magazine said they were one of 10 bands about to blow up at SXSW). They also recently completed a comprehensive UK tour with Prides, their music mining an emotional and energetic hinterland somewhere in between those bands. And along the way Ross Leighton (guitars/vocals), Marc Strain (bass) and Greg Walkinshaw (drums), 23 years old to a man, have gathered fans and gathered momentum.

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Fatherson Announce “The Road To T In The Park” Tour - Trio To Play Highlands And Islands Tour Ahead Of July Festival

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Karine Polwart and ‘new folk’ act to watch Sam Lee (BBC Radio 2 Folk Artist of the Year 2016 nominee, Best Trad track winner) are amongst performers from eight countries, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, France, Somalia and Syria, to perform and speak this year at Scotland’s intimate midsummer festival for all ages.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Beyond Borders’, challenging the concept of boundaries, from freedom of movement and the physical borders experienced by refugees to musical, cultural or political ‘borders’ that are part of daily life for everyone.

Dot Reid, Vice Chair and Head of Programme, said: "This year's programme is shaping up to be our most ambitious yet. Where else would you get to do a singing workshop with Karine Polwart; question the political parties in an EU referendum hustings; party with Skerryvore and Stanley Odd; have tea with the Mad Hatter in the Little Fawn puppet caravan; and think about the refugee crisis all in one weekend? Only at Solas Festival."

The music programme features artists including the hotly tipped ‘new folk’ performer Sam Lee,

multi-award winning folk artist Karine Polwart (who is collaborating with playwright David Greig on Wind Resistance at the Edinburgh International Festival in August) and contemporary Scottish bands such as Bdy Prts and Carbs.

Grammy award winning producer Ian Brennan, one of the world’s foremost field-recorders, will be talking about his book How Music Dies (or Lives), a virtual how-to manual on field-recording and the battle for democracy in the arts for those seeking authenticity in an age of air-brushed and auto-tuned “artists”. He has discovered and produced groups who went onto be the first international popular-music releases in the indigenous languages of their respective countries of Rwanda, South Sudan, Vietnam, and Malawi.

Over the last two years, Solas Festival has welcomed Scotland’s various traveller communities, with Scottish and Roma dancers, musicians, and storytellers performing. This year, sees performances from Tony Robertson and Essie Stewart. Tony grew up in a storytelling family, the son of the late great Scottish master storyteller Stanley Robertson. He’ll be joined by Gaelic storyteller Essie Stewart. Essie is the granddaughter of one of the greatest Gaelic storytellers of them all-Allidh Dall Stewart (Blind Alexander) and was first recorded by Hamish Henderson a decade before. There will also be a

not-to-be-missed session in which Essie and Tony will be joined by folk musician Sam Lee who had an extraordinary four-year apprenticeship with Stanley Robertson, learning the songs of the Scottish traveller tradition. The festival also welcomes back Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre who will be sharing their great knowledge and experience of the life and work of Hamish Henderson.

www.solasfestival.co.uk https://twitter.com/solasfestival www.facebook.com/SolasFestival

Solas Festival goes Beyond Borders'

The Bield, Blackruthven : 17-19 June : www.solasfestival.co.uk

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Karine Polwart : photo by Judith Burrows

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Speyfest brings Ireland's DkIT Ensemble to Fochabers in July

Fochabers (Moray) : 29-31 July : www.speyfest.com

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The DkIT Ceol Oirghialla Traditional Music Ensemble from Dundalk Institute of Technology has been invited to perform at the International Society for Music Education Conference and the Speyfest festival in Scotland in July.

These engagements will be the highlights of a Scottish tour that presents a unique opportunity for emerging young Irish traditional musicians, selected from the DkIT Ceol Oirghialla Traditional Music Ensemble, to engage with an international audience through performances and workshops. Comprising faculty, undergraduate and postgraduate students drawn from the DkIT community, the Ceol Oirghialla Traditional Music Ensemble enriches the cultural life of the Institute and the region, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Oriel region and performing for a global audience. Over the past two years, the Ensemble has toured to North and South America and performed at Birr Castle, Stormont Assembly Buildings and at the renaming of the Boyne Bridge in honour of former President Mary

McAleese. Performing groups from DkIT also broadcast as part of the CIRCOM European Broadcasting Awards hosted by RTÉ in 2015. Performing groups from Molloy College, New York, Baker University, Kansas and Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, has also been visitors to Dundalk in recent semesters. The performance at the ISME conference in Glasgow will mark the second ever performance by an Irish group at the event with the DkIT Ensemble having also performed in Porto Allegre, Brazil in 2014. From there, they will travel to the exciting festival at Fochabers where they will not only perform alongside well known acts such as Sharon Shannon but the group will also facilitate workshops in Irish traditional music, song and dance. Speyfest is a traditional Celtic music festival held annually in the village of Fochabers in Moray on the Northeast coast of Scotland. It is a unique music festival that showcases the best in all forms of Traditional Celtic music, involving local, national and international musicians. The primary objective is to advance the education of the public in the Arts incorporating music development workshops, school visits and facilitating interaction between attendees and artists. 2016 marks the 21st Anniversary of the festival and the special line-up includes Barbara

Dickson, Sharon Shannon, Skerryvore and The Siobhan Miller Band to name but a few. There are many shared goals between Speyfest and Ceol Oirghialla. The study of traditional music is fundamental to the academic mission of the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at DkIT and is an integral component of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in music where students engage with the cultural, social and historical study of traditional musics while also developing their performance skills. Project leaders Dr Adèle Commins, Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music, and Dr Daithí Kearney, Programme Director BA (Hons) Applied Music, are themselves All-Ireland champion musicians with extensive experience in performing, teaching, lecturing and touring. In addition to the performances and workshops in Scotland, a documentary on the Ensemble and their international travels is also being planned and developed for broadcast in the autumn. For updates on Speyfest 2016 check out www.speyfest.com. For more information on the Ensemble and programmes of study at Dundalk Institute of Technology check out www.dkit.ie

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Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival has 170+ concerts over 10 days

Edinburgh : 15-24 July : www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

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Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the top ten jazz festivals in Europe, with over 36,000 sales and 67,000 attendances, the 2016 edition has one of our most diverse lineups ever with over 170 concerts in the ten days from 15-24 July across a range of Edinburgh venues.

There are five major concerts at The Festival Theatre, with some of the biggest names from the modern jazz, blues and soul worlds. Our annual concert with Jools Holland and his Orchestra features special guests, Pauline and Gaps from The Selecter; Curtis Stigers returns with his own band after wowing us in our Sinatra special last year; and we also welcome back Scotland’s top soul exiles, The Average White Band, in a bill that also features The James Taylor Quartet. There will be rare Scottish concerts by two musicians who have been giants of world jazz for the last forty years, John McLaughlin and Jan Garbarek.

Mclaughlin and Garbarek will be the headliners of a strong programme strand featuring jazz from Europe. We’re calling it the “Europe Jazz Summit”. With over 30 concerts we feature musicians from Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. Established stars like Magnus Öström, Marcin Wasilewski, The Bratislava Hot Serenaders, and Furio di Castri will feature, but so will some of the hottest young musicians, like Amsterdam Guitarist, Reinier Baas; the brilliant Lithuanian vocalist, Viktoria Gecyte; Berlin based jazz/dance/electronica producer, Mop Mop; and the stunning French singer, Cyrille Aimée. In addition to the concerts, Napier University will

be hosting a conference on the last fifty years of European Jazz: “Continental Drift”.

There are a host of artists playing the Festival for the first time in 2016, many with exclusive Scottish or UK performances. Our cover artist is the sensational young drummer and singer from New York, Bryan Carter. Amongst the other artists making Festival debuts are Danish swinging vocalist, Mads Mathias; Japanese Hot Club sensation, Tokyo Django Collective; the fresh new sound of Pixel from Norway; the sultry vocals of Ala.Ni; the great new bluesman from Memphis, John Nemeth; and the authentic Mississippi Hill Country blues of Lightnin’ Malcolm. We have soulful Cuban jazz from Dayme Arocena; 60’s soul and r’n’b from Barcelona’s The Excitements; and edgy latin salsa party music from Austin, Texas, with Grupo Fantasma. On the blues front, we welcome one of the true giants of the contemporary scene, Lucky Peterson; while also giving debuts to the great vocalist/bass player from Portland, Oregon, Lisa Mann; the new hit

New York vocalist, Sari Schorr; and the high energy showmanship of Californian, Earl Thomas.

Scottish jazz will be well represented, as always – there’s nowhere better to catch up with what’s new and what’s best in the current scene. Pianist, Brian Kellock will feature in an Oscar Peterson style group; in duos with ace New York clarinettist, Ken Peplowski, and SNJO leader, Tommy Smith; and in a quartet with saxophonist, Alan Barnes. Ken Mathieson’s Classic Jazz Orchestra has a programme that plays tunes by Bix Beiderbecke. Paul Harrison’s Sugar Work is one of the hottest new bands to emerge, and look out for features for Brian Molley, Fergus McCreadie, Freddie King, Graeme Stephen and Alan Benzie.

This year, we launch a new venue at the City Art Centre, transforming the top floor gallery into a jazz club loft scene.

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MAY

Maidens of Music Dumfries Each May Saturday Maidens of Music kicks off this Saturday 7 May showcasing 60+ female artists, and it continues every Saturday in May, celebrating female musicians and inspiring those who have never performed to give it a go. The action will take place from 3-9pm at The Globe Inn / Music Room Courtyard in the middle of Dumfries town centre - with all proceeds going to local charities. The gigs are being organised by Carol Brotherston, founder of The Music Room in Dumfries. www.maidensofmusic.co.uk

Southside Fringe Glasgow 13-29 May It’s an incredibly exciting time in the Southside actively encouraging creativity and supporting local Southside talent. The ethos of the Southside Fringe is very much ‘strength in numbers’ : the more facets of the community and local businesses who get involved the louder our voice and the bigger the Southside’s profile will be on the festival map. www.southsidefringe.org.uk

Perth Festival of the Arts Perth 19-29 May Celebrate Perth Festival's 45th birthday in Perth Concert Hall, the Festival is one of the highlights in Scotland's cultural calendar. Perth Festival of the Arts is an annual 11 day May Festival, founded in 1972, and taking place in the City of Perth in Scotland. It is now in its 45th Year and is one of the oldest continuously running arts Festivals in Scotland. www.perthfestival.co.uk

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Dumfries and Galloway 20-29 May Our 9-day festival has taken place since 1979. The founding aim was to bring international performers of the highest quality to a region containing many scattered rural communities since then this region has produced some of its own talent of international standing and we’re proud to also be able to present these artistes from time to time. We offer a wide range of events: music – including classical, jazz and folk, dance, theatre, literary, children’s events, plus the visual arts and films. Events take place in a range of venues throughout the region, from large to small, formal to informal, urban to rural. www.dgartsfestival.org.uk

Doune & Dunblane Fling Dunblane 26-28 May

Like many others, the Fling was conceived with the help of music and alcohol. It began as an idea at the Dunblane Folk Club, among a group of people fond of music and fun. And so in May 1993 the first Fling happened. Since then the Fling has gone from strength to strength. Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the River' began. Held each Fling Saturday on Dunblane's historic Drying Green, its activities have ranged from an open stage for local young musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, featuring over the years everything from ghost walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama Group, master classes in everything from fiddling or mandolins to harmony singing or bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night. www.dunblanefling.com

Knockengorroch World Ceilidh Kirkcudbright 26-29 May If you prefer a bigger festival in a smaller pot you are a Knockengorrocher! Join us beside the glittering Water of Deugh beneath the broad shoulders of southwest Scotland's great mountain peaks to celebrate some of the finest music from the Celtic diaspora and everywhere in-between. The World Ceilidh melds together the most ancient roots music with the latest cutting edge sounds. This first truly backwoods upland music fest in Scotland hosts some of the best musicians and performers from across the world. All are invited to journey over hill and dale by rock and stream to our natural greenfield auditorium and to our upland stage to experience the biggest little festival this side of anywhere! www.knockengorroch.org.uk

Orkney Folk Festival Orkney 26-29 May Once again we have some big names coming north to join in the fun in May, and from the ceilidh bands to the almost indie strand, we have brought together a broad mix of artists that we hope appeals to everyone’s interpretation of the increasingly expansive folk genre. As ever, our local traditions and musicians – both established and emerging – will be centre stage alongside those visiting the festival. You would be hard pushed to find another festival throughout the country that has such a strong home representation, and it is one that we are hugely proud of. www.orkneyfolkfestival.com

Reivers Rock and Blues Festival Alwinton (Northumberland) 27-29 May Clennell Hall will be the venue for the Reivers Rock and Blues Festival with a fantastic line up of top name bands and artists from all corners of the UK. Clennell Hall is located in the Upper Coquet Valley of Northumberland (just over the Scottish border) near the village of Alwinton.

Situated in it's own grounds, facilities include camping, bunk rooms, hotel rooms, fully licensed bars, restaurant and bar meals as well as hog roasts and snacks throughout the weekend. www.facebook.com/reiversrock

Riverside Festival Glasgow 28-29 May The Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival takes place on the banks of the river Clyde on the grounds of the iconic Riverside Museum for the fourth consecutive year in 2016. Set to be bigger than ever before, the festival takes place over May Bank Holiday weekend www.theelectricfrog.co.uk

Aberdeen and North East of Scotland Music Festival Aberdeen 30 May - 3 June Aberdeen’s oldest and original music, drama and dance Festival began life in 1909 and is still very much alive today. The Festival takes place each year in the first week of June, in halls throughout the city. All events are open to the public and audiences are warmly welcomed. The Festival adopts the motto of Sir Henry Walford Davies: “Not to gain a prize or defeat a rival but to pace one another on the road to excellence.” http://aberdeenmusicfestival.com/

JUNE

Brew at the Bog Inverness 3-4 June Brew at the Bog is one of Scotland's most dynamic hidden gems, championing new and unsigned artists alongside craft beer, gin, cider, whisky, rum and prosecco bars! A two-day camping festival, Brew at the Bog is held at Bogbain Farm in Inverness, which was crowned "Best Unusual Venue" at the 2012 Scottish Event Awards - the perfect setting for a festival that prides itself on championing the best of Scotland’s alternative scene. The lineup for 2016 includes a Mercury Music Prize nominee, Best Breakthrough Act at the Scottish Music Awards, Best Hip Hop Act AND Best Live Act at the SAMAs, Best Up & Coming at the Scottish Trad Music Awards, a Radio 2 Awards nominee, and so it goes on! The festival for 2016 also features a programme of speakers, cinema, alternative therapies and street food! www.brewatthebog.com

Portsoy Folk Festival : “The 7th Haal” Portsoy 3-5 June A weekend of songs, tunes, stories, poetry, dance, workshops and sessions to be held in and around Portsoy. www.bothyfolk.org

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Meadows Festival Edinburgh 4-5 June The days are getting longer, the wind is getting warmer, and the air is getting sweeter. Before you know it, the biggest volunteer-run outdoor festival in Scotland will be upon us! The Edinburgh Meadows Festival has been running since 1974 and gets bigger and better with every year, with tens of thousands of revellers gathering in the meadows to enjoy live music, games, stalls, and – if we’re lucky – a bit of sunshine. www.meadowsfestival.org

XpoNorth Inverness 8-9 June XpoNorth Festival 2016 has announced their music showcase line up of sixty six varied and exciting music acts that have been selected to perform live in Inverness to audiences lapping up all the creative industry goodness at this year's festival in June. The full line up was carefully selected by a jury of industry professionals and XpoNorth looks forward to welcoming a wealth of musical talent from near and far including partners Live at Heart in Sweden, EXCITE our European festival network and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as a multitude of Scotland-based talent performing all genres: with the introduction of an electronic stage this year. www.xponorth.co.uk

Eden Festival Raehills Meadows 9-12 June 2016 Set in the stunning Raehill Meadows of Dumfries Eden Festival is boutique festival, with over 250 acts performing across 9 stages, bringing you live music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, circus skills, theatre, a children's area, fun and games and much more. Nominated for three awards in 2015. www.facebook.com/theedenfestival

Solus The Bield at Blackruthven, Perthshire 17-19 June Solas Festival is an allage arts festival held in Perthshire from 17 to 19 June, with hip-hop, electro loops and some of the finest folk and roots music you’ll find in a Scottish field: a rich mix of traditions, talents and tastes. Expect an unusual mix of art, music, theatre, comedy, debate and soul-searching. The programme also makes space for challenging debate with activists, writers and thinkers from across the political, cultural and religious spectrum. Solas Festival offers a creative and entertaining programme for festival-goers of all ages in a safe environment. www.solasfestival.co.uk

Killin Music Festival Killin 17-19 June

Killin Music Festival is returning to the festival calendar in June 2016. Run by a modern, energetic team, the festival will bring multiple headline talents to the stage in Killin. In our maiden year we will welcome Skipinnish, Trail West, BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2015 - Claire Hastings and her band, Donald Black, the Scott Wood Band plus many more incredible artists to our stage. Killin Traditional Music and Dance Festival was previously held back in the 90's which lasted until the early 2000's. It was a prime entry on the festival calendar and was much missed when it fell by the wayside. Tickets are on sale now via our website www.killinmusicfestival.com and are selling fast! www.killinmusicfestival.com

Riverside Rock Jedburgh 18 June Riverside Rock 2016 already have some fantastic bands signed up: The Men They Couldn’t Hang / The Lost Boys / Scocha (Back for a 3rd Year) / Blistered Molly (Back for a 2nd Year) / Greg Anderson (Back too for 2nd year) he rocked the tent at the end last year! Main tent headliner and other bands to be announced. As before Riverside Rock must not be missed, the Scottish Borders very own music festival at Riverside Park, Jedburgh, and 2016 will have more food outlets, more bars and a bigger tent. Tickets on sale soon! www.riversiderock.co.uk

North Hop Glasgow Glasgow 18-19 June There will be lots of great Scottish and guest breweries offering up a fine selection of craft beers and ciders in the rustic Beer Hall, along with some tasty street food vendors, market traders, live art, bands, and acoustic acts. http://northhop.co.uk/

Glasgow Jazz Festival Glasgow 22 June - 3 July Glasgow Jazz Festival has announced a bumper line-up to celebrate its 30th festival. With some of the biggest names in Jazz, the very finest of Scotland’s homegrown talent, some of the most well-known festival faces and an array of one-off musical collaborations, the 30th festival promises to be the very best yet! The festival will take place in various venues across the city from Wednesday 22 June. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls, The Old Fruitmarket, St Luke’s and The Hug and Pint will all come alive with the sound of jazz during the festival’s landmark 30th edition. www.jazzfest.co.uk

JULY

Stonehaven Folk Festival Stonehaven 7-10 July 28th Stonehaven Folk Festival featuring a mix of

some of the best in traditional and contemporary music and song from Scotland and further afield. A weekend of Concerts, ceilidh, workshops, sessions, singarounds and fun with the Annual World Paper'n'Comb Championships and the Aqua Ceilidh. 2016 guests include Scott Wood Band, Saltfishforty, Daimh, Blazin'Fiddles, Tony McManus and Artie Trezise. www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk

T in the Park Strathallan Castle, Perthshire 8-10 July What more can we say! Scotland’s most widely known and respected festival, which always attracts the biggest names. Check out tickets availability at www.tinthepark.com/tickets. www.tinthepark.com

Hebridean Celtic Festival Hebrides 13-16 July 2016 Fantastic four-day festival set against the rich cultural backdrop of the Outer Hebrides, featuring top quality music from around the Celtic nations and beyond. Stornoway and throughout Lewis and Harris. The cream of international folk and Celtic music have heaped praise on HebCeltl as it celebrated its 20th year in 2015 by hosting its biggest number of live performances ever. Award-winning artists who took part in this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival hailed it a huge success after bosses laid on new venues and returned to its roots for the showpiece event. www.hebceltfest.com

Tiree Music Festival Isle of Tiree 15-17 July Tiree Music Festival (TMF) was formed in 2010 when Tiree musician Daniel Gillespie (Skerryvore) teamed up with school friend Stewart MacLennan with the radical idea of holding an open-air festival on their local island of Tiree. TMF is more than just attending a music festival – it is an island adventure. From the stunning sail or flight to the island of Tiree, camping next to the white sands of Crossapol Bay or surfing at Balevullin beach, TMF is an experience very few festivals in the world could compete with. Get your tickets quick, the early birds sell out in hours - http://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/ticket-prices. www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk

Music at Paxton Festival Paxton, Berwickshire 15-24 July We are proud to present a star-studded line-up of musicians and ensembles. Some will be familiar to our audiences, others are appearing for the first time, but all are of the highest quality, many travelling significant distances to be with us in the Scottish Borders. Why not make an occasion of it and enjoy supper, a stroll around the extensive grounds, or a drink in the courtyard before the concert? With its tranquil setting in extensive parkland overlooking the River Tweed, Paxton House

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provides the perfect environment for our chamber music festival – the peace of the countryside coupled with the facilities of any urban concert hall. If you are new to Music at Paxton, do come along to our free ‘taster’ concerts in May and June. www.musicatpaxton.co.uk

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival Edinburgh 15-24 July Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the top ten jazz festivals in Europe, with over 36,000 sales and 67,000 attendances, the 2016 edition has one of our most diverse lineups ever with over 170 concerts in the ten days from 15-24 July across a range of Edinburgh venues. There are five major concerts at The Festival Theatre, with some of the biggest names from the modern jazz, blues and soul worlds. Our annual concert with Jools Holland and his Orchestra features special guests, Pauline and Gaps from The Selecter; Curtis Stigers returns with his own band after wowing us in our Sinatra special last year; and we also welcome back Scotland’s top soul exiles, The Average White Band, in a bill that also features The James Taylor Quartet. There will be rare Scottish concerts by two musicians who have been giants of world jazz for the last forty years, John McLaughlin and Jan Garbarek. www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

Pandora Fest Duncarron 16 July Pandorafest will be Scotland's first music festival that supports women musicians. In 2015 the major festivals displayed a massive gender imbalance, of the 87 acts that were announced, 78 were all male, 3 were female and 6 were mixed groups - that was an 89.6% all male line up.* "As far as Scotland is concerned - this is not okay" says Pandora Fest! Pandorafest will be a one day music festival packed full of live music from female singer/songwriters, women musicians and female fronted bands all playing from 12noon-11pm. Pandorafest will be running 3 stages of live music across many genres, all expertly woven into a line-up to keep you entertained from start to finish. www.pandorafest.com

Glamis Prom Glamis Castle 16 July This year's Glamis Proms promises a spectacular evening of enchanting music featuring the renowned British Sinfonietta orchestra with an array of special guests. www.glamisprom.com

Crail Festival Fife 20-30 July 2016 "Crail Festival- 20th - 30th July 2016- now in its 4th decade , will ,once again ,offer a wonderful

programme of music. It will include: the amazing Jimmi Shandrix Experience Ceilidh Band : Opera Bohemia ' I Pagliacci': the incomparable Richard Digance will be conducting a Songwriting Children's Workshop in addition to his keenly anticipated performance: Gaelic folk from the talented Mischa Macpherson Trio: Matthew McAllister , a 'local' classical guitarist, is rapidly gaining world wide recognition: the legendary Jimmie McGregor will be performing his acclaimed 'Gathering of Songs, Stories and Famous Folk': the hugely popular, irrepressible Christine Bovill will capture her audience with her interpretation of songs about 'Paris': and Buddy Holly and the Cricketers , our headline act, will bring the Festival to a rousing close. Truly something for everyone! Tickets will be on sale from the Byre Theatre Box Office starting 30 May 2016. Follow the build up to the Festival on www.crailfestival.com, www.facebook.com/CrailFestival, and ‘Crail Festival’ on Pinterest." www.crailfestival.com

Wickerman Festival Dumfries & Galloway 22-23 July Wickerman is one of the UK’s best-loved independent music festivals which will enter its 15th consecutive year in 2016. With ten stages featuring an eclectic and exciting mix of leading artists, heritage acts and up-and-coming talent, the two day summer party caters for all musical tastes. www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

Speyfest Moray 29-31 July At the end of July, the playing fields on East Street in the Moray town of Fochabers will be home to the 21st annual Speyfest, three days of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music. The tented village hosts a variety of seated and standing events including the Friday and Saturday concerts and stomps, the music marathon that is the Speyfest Family Sunday, a craft and food fair and an ecumenical Celtic Kirk service. The event is fully licensed and offers a wide range of hot foods and a variety of drinks from a number on onsite concessions. www.speyfest.com

Southern Fried Perth 29-31 July Three UK music greats come together to showcase their love of Americana in this year’s Southern Fried Festival. Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack & Andy Fairweather Low will make their Scottish debut in an ultra-rare trio show as a climax to Perth’s festival of American roots music with other headliners confirmed as Imelda May, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Gretchen Peters. Named Scottish Event Awards Best Small Festival 2014, the Southern Fried Festival takes place in Perth Concert Hall and other city centre venues from Friday 29 until Sunday 31 July. Festival passes and general ticket sales are now open www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk

AUGUST

Tartan Heart ‘Belladrum’ Festival Beauly 4-6 August Get yourself a ticket to Scotland’s all ages wackiest festival of music and performing arts. Bella is back in its beautiful Highland setting with all the crazy variety that makes it Scotland’s premier boutique festival. ''Belladrum - quite simply, it’s what everyday life should be like, if only everyday life didn't get in the way.'' - Clare Damdoaran, eFestivals. Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival takes place in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Belladrum Estate, near Beauly in Inverness-shire. The independent festival has built a reputation for its eclectic line-ups, its offbeat non-musical entertainments and its all-ages approach. www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk

Piping Live! Glasgow 8-14 August Piping Live! Glasgow's International Piping Festival, the world’s biggest week of piping, will return to Glasgow from 8-14 August. Now in its 13th year, Piping Live! is the biggest festival of its kind. Attracting 40,000 people from around the globe each year to watch over 5000 international pipers perform at 150 events across the city. Some of the hottest names in traditional music will perform this year, including RURA, Anxo Lorenzo, Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton and the world famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Band performances will take place in George Square and on the steps of The Royal Concert Hall. www.pipinglive.co.uk

Party at The Palace Linlithgow 13-14 August 2016 McEwan’s Party at The Palace is back for its third year following the fantastic event last summer. The 2 day party will take place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August in Linlithgow. It’s only 20 mins from Edinburgh and 35mins from Glasgow, making it one of the most easily accessible music festivals in Scotland. We have some exciting additions to the 2016 event including a second stage for the first time, new street food outlets and a larger kids zone to keep the children entertained. A limited number of Tier One Early Bird tickets are on sale from 1 January. www.partyatthepalace.co.uk

Innerleithen Music Festival Scottish Borders 19-21 August 2016 A hugely enjoyable weekend of traditional music in this small Borders town, beautifully situated amongst rolling hills by the River Tweed. Memorable concerts feature some of the biggest names in Celtic music alongside the best of the local talent and the weekend is rounded off with a concert presenting wonderful singers of traditional song. Complementing the concerts

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are an open stage, a singaround and the legendary informal music sessions in local hostelries and the Union Club. www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org

Doune The Rabbit Hole Cardross, nr Stirling 19-21 August 2016 A small family-friendly festival with a twist! Doune The Rabbit Hole presents music, comedy, art, spoken word, drama, puppetry and much more! Events across Scotland throughout the year culminating in a 3 day multi arts festival...it's time to go Doune The Rabbit Hole!! We make people happy through music, art, cake and loads of other stuff! After we've done that we teach people who wouldn't ordinarily be able to how to do creative things, like play instruments, write poetry and paint. www.dounetherabbithole.co.uk

Stowed Out Festival Stow 26-27 August Stowed Out is ran by Sound Out are a not for profit organisation formed in 2009 by an eclectic group of musicians and music fans in the village of Stow in the Scottish Borders. Over the years Sound Out has grown and now hosts a range vibrant music and arts events where there is always a strong emphasis on encouraging and supporting young or first time performers to get up and have a go. www.soundout.org.uk

Summer Isles Festival Achiltibuie 26-27th August Summer Isles Festival is an award-winning two-day event programmed by local musician Mairearad Green that brings the best Scottish musical and creative talent to the spectacular setting of Achiltibuie. Festival returns for a fifth year, with a line-up including the Peatbog Faeries, Blazin’ Fiddles, Blue Rose Code and Tannara. Showcase concert kick-starts the weekend to celebrate home-grown talent from the local community - Entertainment for all the family, with fringe activities including workshops, food demonstrations and stalls featuring local produce - Established and run by successful local musician Mairearad Green - Takes place in picturesque location, under an hour from Ullapool - The Summer Isles Festival Youth Fund continues to support young people living in the Coigach community looking to develop their creative aspirations www.summerislesfestival.com

Groove Loch Ness Loch Ness 20 August Groove Loch Ness is due to return to the iconic location on the banks of the Loch for it’s 2nd outing. After the overwhelming positive feedback of the inaugural event which saw a raft of international DJ’s including Groove Armada, 2mandjs, Tensnake and B.Traits along with a wealth of talent from the Highlands and throughout Scotland, Groove Loch Ness will once

again transform the world famous location into Scotland’s biggest nightclub under the stars. www.groovefestival.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Lindisfarne Festival Holy Island 2-4 September Lindisfarne 2016 promises to be as exciting and spectacular as the inaugural year. The first year saw the music, arts and camping festival achieve national acclaim and was shortlisted for 3 national awards including being a finalist as “Best New Festival in the UK”. With the spectacular backdrop of Holy Island and North Northumberland Coast , the Lindisfarne festival is conveniently located off the A1 and around 6 miles from Berwick upon Tweed. The festival has an eclectic range of music and arts with 2015 saw music from the likes of Public Service Broadcasting, Reverend and the Makers, Craig Charles, The Skints, DJ Yoda and Nadine Shah play in the breath-taking scenery. A brilliant weekend away 2016’s festival will be everything a small independent festival should be. www.lindisfarnefestival.com

Midstock Festival Dalkeith 3 September Just when you think festival season is over, there’s still another cracker to be enjoyed before the nights draw in. The line up will offer a variety of musical tastes designed to cater for the wide demographic expected at the festival, which welcomes everyone aged 0-90.Tickets on sale soon @ www.midstockfestival.com www.midstockfestival.com

Ceòl Cholasa Colonsay Folk Festival 15-18 September Ceòl Cholasa is held the third weekend of September each year and features internationally acclaimed artists from Scotland and beyond.. http://ceolcholasa.co.uk/

Isle of Jura Music Festival Jura 23-25 September The Isle of Jura Musical Festival is a well-established favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene, enjoy a weekend packed with fantastic performances, stimulating workshops, spontaneous sessions and great craic. To guarantee you don’t miss out, you can pre-purchase your tickets online now. www.juramusicfestival.com

OCTOBER

Glasgow Americana Glasgow 5-9 October

The sparkling Blue Rose Code will do the honours and open the 10th anniversary Glasgow Americana Festival in October. On Wednesday 5 October in St Andrew’s in the Square' Man behind the music, Ross Wilson has rightly won huge praise for live, sell-out performances including joyous sessions for the BBC. www.glasgowamericana.com

Ullapool Guitar Festival Ullapool 7-9 October So why is the UGF so special? Perhaps it’s the mix of music old and new, of electric and acoustic, of steel and nylon, of seasoned performers and those, like the students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, just starting out on their careers. Perhaps it’s the location on Loch Broom and the drive up through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Perhaps it’s the informal air of the whole weekend: there’s no “us and them”, no VIP area. Everyone mingles, and you’re likely to find yourself sitting beside a guitar legend in the Festival Club – or even jamming with them on one of the trade stands. www.ullapoolguitarfestival.com

Doricana Fest Stonehaven 8 October One day music festival based in the NE of Scotland showcasing the countries finest Americana / Roots / Country and Acoustic acts. Stonehaven is tuning up for a boot scooting new Americana music festival aimed at visitors and locals alike.The one day (family) festival will feature 6 Scottish bands with Americana roots including The Holy Ghosts (Edinburgh), Colin Clyne (Stonehaven), Daniel Meade (Glasgow), The New Madrids (Perth), Mikey Maclennan (The Carloways, Bridge of Earn) and The Malpaso Gang (Aberdeen). www.facebook.com/DoricanaFest

NOVEMBER

Fiddle 2016 Edinburgh 18-20 November One of Scotland's biggest traditional music festivals, promoting & sustaining traditional fiddle music since 1996. A weekend packed full of great music! Over the weekend there are concerts, ceilidhs, recitals, workshops, talks, open stage, festival clubs, sessions, stalls, free events.... and lots, lots more! The Fiddle Festival committee are now working hard towards Fiddle 2016. The dates are out now but keep an eye on our Facebook page and join our mailing list to be the first to hear what artists are playing at this years festival. www.scotsfiddlefestival.com

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