Fresh Ayr, the brand new folk festival in Rozelle Park, Ayr (southwestern Scotland), set for Aug 11-13, 2023, has announced new additions to its already impressive lineup, ensuring a weekend of top-notch live entertainment.
With over 25 artists, including Irish fiddle player Grainne Brady, a Glasgow-based local who tours Ireland and Scotland promoting her albums The Road Across the Hills (debut) and Newcomer (2021). The festival features world-class entertainment, family-friendly activities, ceilidhs, food, drink, and quality camping facilities.
Another new act on the lineup is the Laura Cortese Band, led by American singer, songwriter, and fiddler Laura Cortese. The string group is brought together by the love of traditional American music and perform old-time, bluegrass, country, and Celtic music.
Alongside them on the bill is the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards Best Gaelic Singer of the Year Maggie MacInnes joined by one of Scotland’s finest guitarists, Anna Massie. Maggie has six solo records and performs regularly in the UK and abroad. Anna, who is one of Scotland’s leading guitarists, is known for her work with Blazin’ Fiddles, Mairearad Green and RANT, and is a three-time nominee for Best Instrumentalist at the Scots Trad Music Awards.
Nati Dreddd will also take to the stage at Rozelle Park. The Scottish TikTok sensation, who has nearly two million followers across social media platforms, has supported Tidelines, Newton Faulkner and Simply Red and sold out solo shows across Scotland.
The critically acclaimed Paul McKenna Band is set to perform original and traditional material. While neo-trad trio Project Smok will bring their nonconformist and progressive Scottish traditional music to Ayr this summer. The group draws inspiration from indie pop acts like The 1975, LANY and Bon Iver, as well as more time-honored, West Coast styles of playing. Another addition to the lineup is local boy, guitarist, flute player and singer Seán Gray.
Blair Parham, Director of Fresh Ayr Folk Fest, said: “It is a pleasure to announce such a brilliant string of talented musicians to add to our bill. We have more than 25 world-class acts performing across the three days – it’s going to be an unforgettable weekend, and I can’t wait to welcome audiences to Rozelle Park this summer. We hope it will become a staple event in the calendar of folk fans across the country for years to come. Our early bird tickets are available for a limited time – fans have one more week to get the best possible deal on their passes, so we would encourage people to move fast.”
The lineup for Fresh Ayr festival also includes Scottish supergroup Mànran; fiddle band Blazin’ Fiddles; genre-blenders Talisk; BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner and 4-time MG Alba Scots Trad Awards’ Scots Singer of the Year Siobhan Miller and her 5-piece band; young quartet Gnoss; Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Papiransky; gentle folk-Americana singer Edwina Hayes; and global folk collective Mishra.
Local talent also features on the original lineup as Ayr’s Alistair McCulloch and his trio will take to the stage with Mark Duff (formerly of Capercaillie) on whistles. Fiddle player Lauren Collier, who is originally from Irvine, will also perform alongside her band, showcasing material from her hotly anticipated new album, set for release this year.
The festival, which is supported by South Ayrshire Council, has a limited number of reduced price early bird tickets available to buy until Monday 6 February. General release tickets at an increased price of £140 will go on sale on Tuesday 7 February.
Those aged 12 years and under can attend the festival for free. Additionally, there are discounted tickets available for 13–17-year-olds and day tickets are also available.
More information and tickets are available at www.freshayrfolkfest.com
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central