Edinburgh Tradfest 2024 – Full Program Revealed

The 2024 program for Edinburgh Tradfest features a diverse array of traditional music, storytelling, film screenings, workshops, talks, ceilidhs, and special events across various venues in the city. The festival, to be held May 3 – May 13, 2024, is made possible by ongoing support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.

Spanning 11 days, the festival will showcase performances by numerous international and Scottish musicians, storytellers, and artists. The festivities commence on May 3 with a live performance by electronica supergroup VALTOS at the Queen’s Hall, alongside other notable acts such as Assynt and Josie Duncan.

Also featured on the opening weekend are acclaimed folk singer Martin Simpson and the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. Additionally, Hands Up For Trad will host a concert celebrating #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay on May 4, coinciding with a global initiative encouraging people to share their strathspey performances on social media. The annual May Day Parade on May 5 will kick off from the Castle and conclude at The Pleasance, featuring music, stalls, and a rally.

International headliners at this year’s festival include Lena Jonsson and Brittany Haas; The Fretless accompanied by Madeleine Roger; Alice Howe with Freebo; and Clare Sands.

Closer to home, a new commission titled “Everyone’s Welcome to Edinburgh,” curated by award-winning fiddler Robbie Greig, will showcase the talents of Scottish musicians such as Ciaran Ryan, Duncan Lyall, and Hannah Rarity.

The lineup also features Scottish luminaries like Julie Fowlis, Gaelic supergroup Dàimh, and the electro-trad band Birdvox. Additionally, emerging talents such as Evie Waddell, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year finalist for 2024, will grace the stage.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre will host a series of storytelling and spoken word events, including premieres of productions like “Rickle O’ Stanes” and “Fire from the Woods.” Moreover, the Folk Film Gathering will return with a selection of films from around the globe, covering diverse themes such as Irish traveler songs, South African anti-apartheid struggles, and indigenous narratives.

For younger audiences, there will be engaging activities such as the “Jaunt Round Auld Reekie” performance by Ceilidh Crew, mask-making sessions, arts and crafts storytelling, and a Family Ceilidh. Additionally, workshops will be offered throughout the festival, covering topics such as Zimbabwean singing, Scottish dance and song traditions, fiddle playing, and songwriting.

Notable highlights include the Rebellious Truth lecture by folk musician Archie Fisher, presented in collaboration with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Furthermore, an exhibition titled “FISHING” by Dutch artist Stephanïe Vandëm will run from May 3 to June 15 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, exploring the fishing heritage of North East Scotland through mixed media artworks.

Speaking at the launch, Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer, Creative Scotland said: “Edinburgh Tradfest continues to celebrate the city as a key part of Scottish traditional music year-on-year, nourishing Edinburgh’s musicians as well as their traditional music audience to ensure the capital can continue to be a place to see and experience some of the finest traditional music in Scotland. Alongside an appreciation and celebration of legends like Archie Fisher and Julie Fowlis, Edinburgh Tradfest also paves the way for the next generation of artists through the Edinburgh Youth Big Band and the ETF spotlight concert which will shine on four bright young acts. The packed program has something for everyone and allows audiences to bask in a range of excellent artists.”

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest shared: “We are thrilled with the 2024 line-up for Edinburgh Tradfest – surely the best yet. We’re particularly happy to welcome the Folk Film Gathering back into the fold for the first time since the pandemic. Now we really are back to full power! We are extremely fortunate to work with partners who have the same ethos as ourselves and work very hard to deliver world-class events at an affordable ticket price. We want as many people as possible to enjoy the best traditional arts from Scotland and around the world. Please check out the full program online, and we look forward to welcoming you in May.”

Daniel Abercrombie, Programme & Events Manager, Scottish Storytelling Centre said: “Edinburgh Tradfest is a highlight of our calendar in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and we’re delighted to be involved once again. There are some excellent storytelling performances on offer and a variety of traditional arts activities, including many family events, for all to enjoy. The days will be getting longer, and there is much to celebrate in this wonderful Tradfest program!“

Jamie Chambers, Folk Film Gathering stated: “We are really excited to be back in step with our friends at Tradfest, to further explore the links between cinema and traditional arts from around the world. There is a lot of music in our program (including a new score for the Ukrainian silent masterpiece EARTH from visionary Scottish composer Luke Sutherland, and a special appearance from Finland’s folk musicians Lau Nau and Pekko Käppi), and we think audiences will have great fun finding links between our program and the exciting main body of events that Tradfest have put together.”

Edinburgh Tradfest 2024 will run from Friday 3 May – Monday 13 May. For tickets and more information, visit edinburghtradfest.com