Revellers enjoy international debut in Skagen

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SHETLAND’S rabble-rousing folk rockers The Revellers were due back in the islands on board fishing boat the Adenia on Monday night following a successful trip to Denmark which saw them headline Skagen Festival.

The trio of shows – the band’s first ever gigs outside the UK – saw them play before a near capacity crowd in the Havnescenen marquee, which holds around 1,000 people, on Thursday night.

It was followed by a headline slot at the festival’s smaller marquee, Torvescenen, on Friday and then an appearance at Skagen’s Saturday showcase to round the weekend off.

It’s probably safe to say there aren’t too many bands who prepare for a festival by squeezing in some rehearsals on board a pelagic trawler in the middle of the North Sea.

Band members were also reunited with intrepid mandolin player Erik Peterson, who has been travelling for the past six months, for their first shows of 2016. 

This autumn the seven-piece will launch their second album Skeletons, the follow-up to 2013 debut Renegades, with a big headline gig at Clickimin.

Friday’s Torvescenen set saw Swedish musician Perry Stenbäck – a regular at Shetland Folk Festival over the years – add his skills on the nyckleharpa, a bowed string instrument, to the song ‘Lower the Rope’.

Banjo player Lewie Peterson said the band were “blown away by the hospitality and general feel-good nature of the festival”, and he said there seemed to be a “very positive reaction” and lots of complimentary remarks about their performances.

“Skagen is a great place to visit with plenty of good food and drink, which was a bonus,” Lewie said. “The best thing was the locals and their warmth to us, though.”

• Tickets to the Revellers’ album launch gig at Clickimin on Saturday 24 September are are on sale now from Shetland Box Office priced £15. Also on the line-up will be First Foot Soldiers, Steven Robertson and DJ Lyall.