Internationally Acclaimed Folk Music at Glasgow’s Concert Halls in Spring 2009

Glasgow’s Fruitmarket Folk series returns this spring with an eclectic line-up of Scottish and international folk talent taking to the stage at one of Glasgow’s most atmospheric venues, the Old Fruitmarket.

The season kicks off on 6th May with A Taste of Shetland, as some of the stars of this year’s Shetland Folk Festival visit the city for the festival’s Glasgow encore, hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Tom Morton. The bill of top international talent features Asturian folk band Felpeyu, whose energetic and richly textured traditional folk sound is often compared to that of fellow Asturians Llan de Cubel. Also appearing are Finnish/Norwegian fiddle group Frigg, who draw inspiration from Nordic music as well as American grassroots styles, and Vishtèn, who combine the fiery music and dance of their native Acadian regions of Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands.

Then, on 14th May, there’s a performance by The Chris Stout Theory – the new quintet project from the immensely talented Shetland fiddler, Chris Stout . Combining Stout’s own talents with those of Catriona McKay (harp and piano), Ian Stephenson (guitar), Neil Harland (double bass) and special guest Thomas Rohrer on sax and rabeca (a rustic Brazilian violin) this collaboration is a genre-crossing musical feast. Support comes from Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Dean Owens.

On 20th May, one of the best live acts on the Scottish contemporary folk scene, the Peatbog Faeries, return to the venue in which they recently picked up the award for Live Act of the Year at the 2008 MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. 2009 sees a new era for the band with Peter Tickell bringing fresh inspiration as he joins Adam Sutherland up front on fiddle.

Then, on 3rd June, the legendary Scottish-born singer-songwriter Eric Bogle closes the Fruitmarket Folk season with the only Glasgow date on his Waltzing Matilda No More tour, which are his last ever shows in Scotland. Renowned on the folk scene for his thought-provoking lyrics and tuneful melodies, his career has spanned over 25 years. In this concert Bogle appears alongside his long term performing partner John Munro (guitar/mandolin), with whom he has recorded a staggering 8 albums.

In addition to Fruitmarket Folk, a host of folk talent appear elsewhere in Glasgow’s Concert Halls spring programme, which includes shows by Fribo, Karan Casey, Danny Kyle Open Stage 2009 winners The Magic Lantern Show, the Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra, Andi Neate, Michael Marra, The Stairwell Sisters, Eddi Reader, Maggie MacInnes and an appearance by Dougie MacLean as he joins the RSNO for the orchestra’s Scottish Prom.

Complete schedule:

Folk music at Glasgow’s Concert Halls this spring
The Acoustic Affair presents
Fribo with Matthew Malone
Sat 11 Apr, 8pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

The Acoustic Affair presents
Karan Casey with Colin Train
Tue 21 Apr, 8pm
£12
City Halls, Recital Room

The Acoustic Affair presents
The Magic Lantern Show with guest
Sat 25 Apr, 8pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra
Sat 2 May, 7:30pm
£12
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium

Fruitmarket Folk
A Taste of Shetland with Felpeyu, Frigg and Vishtèn hosted by Tom Morton
Wed 6 May, 8pm
£15
Old Fruitmarket

The Acoustic Affair presents
Andi Neate with guest
Sat 9 May, 8pm
£10
City Halls, Recital Room

The Acoustic Affair presents
Michael Marra
Sun 10 May, 8pm
£12
City Halls, Recital Room

Fruitmarket Folk
The Chris Stout Theory with special guest Thomas Rohrer, supported by Dean Owens
Thu 14 May, 8pm
£15
Old Fruitmarket

Fruitmarket Folk and
The Acoustic Affair present
Peatbog Faeries with Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers
Wed 20 May, 8pm
£15
Old Fruitmarket

Glasgow Americana 2009
The Stairwell Sisters
Sat 23 May, 8pm
£12
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Strathclyde Suite

Eddi Reader
Sun 24 May, 7:30pm
£22.50, £20
City Halls, Grand Hall

Maggie MacInnes in Concert
Wed 27 May, 8pm
£12
City Halls, Recital Room

The RSNO Scottish Prom
with Dougie MacLean and the House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band
Sat 30 May, 7:30pm
£35, £26, £20, £16, £12
Promenade (standing area) tickets only £5
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium

Fruitmarket Folk
Eric Bogle with John Munro
Waltzing Matilda No More
Wed 3 June, 8pm
£15
Old Fruitmarket

Tickets can be booked:

In person: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
2 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow
G2 3NY

City Halls and Old Fruitmarket
Candleriggs
Glasgow
G1 1NQ

By phone: 0141 353 8000
Online: www.glasgowconcerthalls.com