It's more than forty years since Tich Frier started singing folk songs in his home town of Edinburgh. In that time he has established an enviable reputation as a first class entertainer. He is held in high regard for his powerful and passionate singing, skilled guitar work and inspired sense of fun.
16th February Jim King £8/£6(concession)
Jim King has been singing folk songs since the sixties and writing songs for a good few years. These days he mostly performs his own stuff along with a handful of songs he wishes he had written. He likes to put stories into his songs. Sometimes the stories are sad, sometimes they're angry and sometimes they're fun.
23rd February Steve Turner £8/£6(concession)
Steve comes from a family of singers & concertina players and began his career on the Manchester folk scene, before joining the Geordie band “Canny Fettle” and toured the UK & Europe with them during ‘70s.
“A shining example of the music the British folk scene is capable of producing”…. Folk Roots
- March -
1st March £9/£7(concession) Duck Baker
Duck is one of the most highly regarded fingerstyle guitarists of his generation. His repertoire ranges from tradition Scots/Irish music through old-time mountain music & bluegrass to blues, gospel, ragtime, swing and modern jazz.
8th March Eilidh Grant Band £8/£6(concession)
With Pete Cooke on Guitar and Maya Burman–Roy on Cello, Eilidh’s unique voice and dedication to both traditional and contemporary music shows in her ability to draw on her influences and add in her own style resulting in an outstanding and beautiful performance. Eilidh’s love of folk music is apparent from the first note to the last.
15th March Friel Sisters £8/£6(concession)
The Friel Sisters are young traditional musicians hailing from Glasgow with Donegal roots. Born and brought up in Glasgow with their family roots firmly entrenched in the Donegal Gaeltacht they play a mixture of music interspersed with songs, many from their family repertoire and strive to maintain this tradition. Being siblings they achieve a close blend on fiddle, flute and uilleann pipes, approaching their music in a style inspired by many encounters with great musicians and singers throughout Ireland and in particular, Donegal.
22nd March Flossie Malavialle £8/£6(concession)
“Flossie has a voice as clear and tuneful as a lark, with a pureness of quality to stop you in your tracks in
the forest of a song” Colum Sands
“Flossie’s great! She came over from France and wowed everybody with her sensational voice, her gutsy
guitar style, eclectic repertoire and franglais patter” Vin Garbutt
29th March John Hinshelwood Band £8/£6(concession)
John has become an established name on the Scottish roots, country and folk music scene, gaining a
reputation as a singer and writer of finely crafted, country influenced songs. He has built up a wide range
of performing experience on radio and on the club and festival circuit.
- April -
5th April Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts £9/£7(concession) BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts combine astounding lap-tapping guitar, fiery fiddle and their trademark harmonies with considerable songwriting talent to make a truly distinctive sound.
12th April No Club Night
19th April Dick Gaughan support Chloe Matharu £10/£8(concession)
Dick Gaughan is Scotland’s most passionate troubadour, a singer and guitarist whose performances both burn with a fierce conviction and smoulder with equally heartfelt compassion and invigorate audiences across the world with eloquently expressed conviction.
26th April Andy Irvine £10/£8(concession)
Andy is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as "a tradition in himself".
Musician, singer, songwriter, Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his 45 year career.
From Sweeney's Men in the mid 60s, to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s and then from Patrick Street to Andy Irvine & Dónal Lunny's Mozaik, Andy has been a world music pioneer and an icon for traditional music and musicians.
As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie.
To quote the Irish Times, "Often copied, never equalled", his repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dances and a compelling cannon of his own self-penned songs.
-May-
3rd May Al Parrish £9/£7(concession)
Al’s huge, charismatic presence, boundless energy, and “that voice” (once described on CBC as being 'half way between melted chocolate and sex') brought fans from across Canada, around the US and throughout the UK to shows by Tanglefoot.
Now performing solo, Al’s repertoire includes new, original material, as well as some carefully chosen covers including a couple of trad songs and some Tanglefoot favourites. Al plays these songs on acoustic guitar, on his trademark double bass, or simply sings them acapella.
10th May Duncan McCrone Band £8/£6(concession
Duncan has a wealth of experience in the music business from his embryonic days in the 1960’s of Hot Toddy, moving into the renowned ‘Dapplegrim’’ of the 1970’s until he joined the Clydesiders and stayed with this group for 18years. The Duncan McCrone Band is now well-established in the Scottish folk scene, as a trio of Duncan, Cy Jack and Stevie Lawrence. Duncan's third album 'Colourblind' is launched this month.
17th May The Handsome Family £15(Book online or Tickets Scotland 0141 204 5151)
Making a long awaited reappearance in the city, the Handsome Family return to Glasgow with a new collection of darkly sublime, gothic ballads to chill the heart. Brett and Rennie Sparks’ unique take on the country-bluegrass murder ballad once earned them the title of ”the Gomez and Morticia Adams of country music”. And yet somehow they do heartbreaking every bit as well as macabre. The couple’s last album Honey Moon was a bittersweet collection of – admittedly melancholy-laced – love songs in celebration of their two decades together. Unfalteringly captivating in a live setting, this is set to be one of the hottest tickets of the year. (In association with the Fallen Angels Club
24th May Cloudstreet £8/£6(concession)
Cloudstreet - hot harmonies & beautiful ballads. John and Nicole's performances are packed with vitality, humour and excitement, as they breathe new life into some of the great songs of the Australian, English and Celtic traditions and carry the tradition forward with original songs and tunes. Driving guitar and Irish flute support their enthralling vocals. Their trademark dazzling harmonies and their impassioned presentation are leavened with humour and great tales from their travels.
31st May Tannahill Weavers £10/£8(concession)
The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts. "…world class musicians with passion and a healthy sense of fun, keeping alive and making accessible the very heart of the tradition itself." - Mojo Magazine
- June -
7th June Anthony John Clarke £8/£6(concession)
Anthony has the ability to capture an audience and mesmerise them with a combination of intelligence, humour and musicianship. He is a master of his craft! He contrasts the sensitive, thoughtful lyrics of some of his songs with the hilarious humour of others.
14th June Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies £10/£8(concession)
Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies have been playing their songs and music of Northern England for a decade and a half around the folk festivals, clubs and concert stages of the world.
“One of the hottest acts around” DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘first rate musicians combine to produce the special moments that are difficult to define but easy to experience’ THE LIVING TRADITION
21st June Vin Garbutt £10
Powerful, hugely moving, warm, humane, inspired, funny and gut wrenchingly honest. These are just some of the superlatives used to describe Vin's performance this year. This international, award winning, singer songwriter is completing his 40th year on the road. WINNER of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards "Best Live Act" Award 2001
28th June Munro/O’Callaghan/Titchener £10/£8(concession)
Munro, O’Callaghan and Titchener. (ex Eric Bogle) are three of Adelaide’s premier folk musicians, who all played with internationally renowned band Colcannon, have banded together to bring a new talent-filled trio to the acoustic music scene. Using 6 and 12 string guitars together with mandolin and mandola allows them to create acoustic textures that form the bedrock to their strong 3-part vocal harmonies. “Munro, O'Callaghan and Titchener are the real deal. This honest, unvarnished approach to their music is most refreshing, some would even say radical...” Eric Bogle
- July -
5th July Jake Cogan Band £9/£7(concession)
On rare occasions you realise that what you are listening to is what a real singer should be – someone with a direct connection between soul and voice, Jake Cogan is one of these rare few.' – Dick Gaughan.
12th July TBA
19th July Sharon King and the Reckless Angels £9/£7(concession) 2011 winner of Edinburgh Folk Clubs annual songwriting competition,Sharon King and The Reckless Angels are continuing to gain recognition from all quarters with their brand of original, confessional and distinctive music. Sharon’s sets are peppered with tales of her west coast travels: poignant songs are delivered wrapped in witty banter and funny stories, creating a show filled with laughter and fine music.
26th July Alistair Ogilvy Band £8/£6(concession)
An evening of distinctive Scottish music, whether it be an ancient ballad or contemporary song, Alistair and band put a unique spin on it. Alistair was a finalist in The BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and 'TMSA Young Traditional Singer of Merit'. Alistair has an inherent love for traditional music and song, being able to express a story, emotions, history and reality through song. 'Alistair Ogilvy's wonderfully characterful, minutely nuanced Scots singing' (Scotsman) 'Definitely a talent to watch' (Scotsman)
-August-
2nd August Barbara Dymock Band £8/£6(concession)
Barbara was brought up in Fife, learning Scottish and Irish songs from her grandparents . She went on to become a founder member of the band Coelbeg and over the years had many other collaborations: Fair Game, Rathlin, Fon a Bhord and Palaver - to name but a few.
A new collaboration with musicians Carol Anderson, Martin MacDonald and Kenny Hadden, resulted in 2011’s highly acclaimed “Hilbert's Hotel” CD. 9th August TBA
16th August TBA
23rd August TBA
30th August TBA
- September -
6th September Simon Hopper £8/£6(concession)
Simon is a songwriter. If you like your stories unflinching, raw and tender, then this uncompromising, yet sensitive songsmith is for you. At turns provocative, poignant and funny, Simon's songs pour out of an informed social conscience and a chequered storybook of personal experience.
13th September David Francey £9/£7(concession)
Scottish-born Canadian, David Francey is recognized as one of today’s finest singer-songwriters. "David’s straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places. Poetic perception and a keen eye for the heart of the matter are trademarks of the man and his music. His songs and stories are a direct connection for audiences seeking depth and meaning in the day-to-day." Shelter Valley Folk Festival 20th September Hans Theessink £10/£8(concession)
Hans has become one of the most sought-after artists of the international blues scene. He is more or less constantly "on tour" - a modern day troubadour and entertainer who keeps on spellbinding audiences all over the world with his rich and emotional sounds.
27th September Pete Morton £8/£6(concession)
Pete sings from the heart, delivering songs that tell compelling stories and speak of the human condition from a very unique perspective. With a passionate, strong voice and strident guitar style, traditional songs often rub shoulders with Pete's current writing with remarkable ease. His songs are an unruly mix of humour, politics, love and social comment, wrapping their way around the folk tradition.
- October -
4th October TBA
11th October Rab Noakes £10/£8(concession)
Rab has been at the cutting edge of contemporary songwriting for over 30 years. From his first album in 1970 to his most recent releases, he has firmly established himself at the forefront of Scottish pop music as both a prolific and gifted writer of hook-laden songs and an original and affectionate interpreter of the American popular music back-catalogue. 18th October Kieran Halpin £9/£7(concession)
Powerful and passionate, intimate and intense, Kieran is impossible to ignore. His voice has such an edge to it that he sounds like he is living every song. He has managed to marry his intelligent and thought provoking lyrics with great melodies and has developed over the years into a writer with a style all his own. All of this is underscored by an incisive wit in his introductions which helps an audience to understand where the song comes from and hint at where it might be going.
25th October Wizz Jones £9/£7(concession)
A genuine "musician's musician", with an unique guitar style, an eclectic repertoire and a "right hand worthy of Broonzy", Wizz is cited as an important early influence on John Renbourn & Eric Clapton.
- November -
1st November Pilgrims’ Way £8/£6(concession)
Refreshingly different, reassuringly traditional, Pilgrims' Way are a 3-piece band with a big personality and big sound. Playing their own particular brand of Folk music, they were brought together by a series of chance meetings at sessions around the North West of England. Their influences individually are many and varied but they share a deep respect for the tradition and take as their inspiration some of the most influential bands from the 60s/70s revival.
8th November Niamh Ni Charra £8/£6(concession)
Niamh hails from Killarney, Ireland, where she started playing music at the age of 4. A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, she toured for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows, before returning to Ireland where she is now based. Along with performing regularly as a solo artist and with her own band, Niamh also tours extensively as a member of the Carlos Núñez band.
Star
Folk Club, St. Andrews in the Square. 1 St. Andrews Square ( off
Saltmarket ) Glasgow
Glasgow’s premier live music venue
fisheyes
