Folk group to headline glitter-themed Hogmanay gig

A GROUP who combine Scottish and Irish folk with bluegrass and classical will headline Mareel’s Hogmanay event later this year.

Scottish outfit Kinnaris Quintet will top the bill at the event on 31 December, with the gig set to enjoy a glitter theme.

As usual for the Hogmanay event, the night will begin with a traditional Shetland variety concert, opened by the Kinnaris Quintet with performances by local bands and musicians.

There will also be supper, while cinema screens will be open.

Kinnaris Quintet will then return to the stage to bring in the bells for the new year before DJs and a dance band see out the night.

The group have previously performed at the Shetland Folk Festival, while they have also supported Shooglenifty at the Barrowland in Glasgow.

The band feature Fiona MacAskill (Glasvegas, Niteworks) and Laura Wilkie (Fat Suit, Rachel Sermanni) on fiddle, Aileen (Reid) Gobbi (Salsa Celtica, Glasvegas) on five-string fiddle, Laura-Beth Salter (The Big Folk Weekender, The Shee) on mandolin and Jenn Butterworth (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019 musician of the year nominee) on guitar.

Shetland Arts programme manager Tim Matthew said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Kinnaris Quintet to Mareel as we bring in the bells.

“This year, the event will take a glitter theme, so we expect to see party-goers in their shiny shoes, sequins and silvery outfits.”

Early-bird tickets are on sale from today (Wednesday) and are priced at £60 for the full ticket, granting access to all events across the evening and early morning.

Early-bird ticket sales end at 8am on Friday 11 October.

Tickets can be booked in person at Mareel or at the Shetland Arts outlet at Sumburgh Airport, by phone on 01595 745500, or online at www.shetlandarts.org