Scottish folk centre stage in Cambridge
Scotland was placed at the heart of one of Europe’s premiere music events this month when The Co-operative Cambridge Folk Festival, one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world, featured a range of established and up and coming Scottish folk artists as part of the Scottish Showcase.
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The Scottish Arts Council supported the Scottish Showcase and Ian Smith, Head of Music attended the festival and recaps some of his highlights: |
“The Cambridge Folk Festival has always been such a significant event for Scotland's music, giving a platform to so many of our fantastic musicians, from the late great Martyn Bennett to such Cambridge favourites as Shooglenifty, Capercaillie and the Peatbog Faeries.
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This year, the line-up was phenomenal. The Scottish Showcase featured artists ranging from Cambridge regulars; Eddi Reader, Brian McNeill, Lau and Blazin’ Fiddles to debutants The Shee, 2009 Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year; Ruairidh MacMillan and the Treacherous Orchestra who closed the main stage on Sunday evening. |
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A new feature this year was the addition of eight young musicians from Fèis Rois who participated in the entire youth workshop programme, the highlight of which was a BBC session with Eddi Reader. They performed live at the Scottish reception and were a credit to themselves and to Scotland. Many of them will take their place alongside Ruairidh on the professional stage in years to come. “
“We all had an amazing time at Cambridge and I am so, so grateful for being given the chance to go. So thank you!”
Josie Gaitens (guitar and vocals) |
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Fiona Dalgetty, Manager Fèis Rois added:
“Attending The Co-operative Cambridge Folk Festival was a fantastic opportunity for our young musicians. They benefitted enormously from having the opportunity to work with other young people from across the UK and to participate in workshops led by some of the most renowned folk musicians in the country. They were excellent ambassadors for Scotland and Highland culture, and they have returned home brimming with confidence and new musical ideas.” |
“I had an AMAZING time!! One of he best times of my life, thank you so much! Having the opportunity to play at a festival where Treacherous Orchestra, Lau, Eddi Reader, Crooked Still, Beth Nielsen Chapman etc were playing was incredible!”
Siannie Moodie (clarsach and vocals) |
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“Thank you for letting us go to Cambridge, it was amazing! Especially getting to play at the reception!”
Melissa Whitehead (fiddle) | |