News / Tuning up for a five day spree
SHETLAND’S 31st folk festival got off to a bright start on Thursday as a hoard of visiting musicians poured off the NorthLink ferry Hjaltland for a five spree, described by some as “the ultimate music festival”.
This year’s event has attracted performers from Canada, the US, Poland and Denmark, backed by Scottish acts The Shee, Breabach, Fred Morrison, and Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers, plus around 50 local bands.
This year also features four additional island outfits to celebrate the Year of Scotland’s Islands project.
The party itself started long before Thursday’s lunchtime opening at Lerwick’s Islesburgh Community Centre, the hub of many venues across the length and breadth of the islands where concerts will be played until Monday night.
As Hjaltland left Aberdeen harbour on Wednesday evening with most of the visiting musicians on board, instruments were already being tuned up and the first of many sessions got under way.
Festival organisers this time have invited two celebrated American roots music bands, The Wilders from Kansas City and Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, from St Louis.
Singer LaFarge said they were hand picked by the festival’s organisers after playing the Tonder Folk Festival, in Denmark.
“I was excited about that because I knew a little bit about Shetland fiddle music, and also about a musician here called Thomas Fraser. He was a good fiddle player in his own right, but also a great guitar player and singer of old Jimmy Rogers and other American tunes. Unfortunately, he is not living any more.”
Fellow Missouri musicians The Wilders are making their long awaited debut performance in Shetland. Described as the “hillibilly hurricane”, the four had been invited after organisers saw them at the Celtic Connections festival, in Glasgow.
Lead singer Ike Sheldon said: “You guys have more of a reputation than you might think. We have played a lot in Scotland over the years, and we have been hearing about this festival for quite a few years.
“Being invited, and being able to come up here, is a real treat. It is known as an amazing place to come to. We have been warned that there is not a lot of sleep, but a lot of music – should be a good time.”
Festival spokeswoman Mhari Pottinger said: “This is the 31st festival, and we have got the usual diverse mix of music with a lot of bands who are making their UK debut here in Shetland.
“This is massive and we are all looking forward to an absolute spree the whole weekend with a fantastic, eclectic mix of musicians, styles and just a bunch of great personalities.”
Photos: The Wilders and Pokey LaFarge at the opening concert at the Islesburgh Community centre, at Thursday lunchtime – Photos: Billy Fox
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