Arts / Three-day festive spree to showcase ‘top-class tunes’
THIS WEEKEND sees the welcome return of an institution in Shetland folk music with the three-day long Peerie Xmas Spree set to bring warmth, seasonal spirit and above all top-class tunes to halls around the islands.
The 2024 bill is topped by two of Shetland’s most accomplished international-touring fiddlers, Kevin Henderson and Ross Couper, joined by award-winning multi-instrumentalist Hamish Napier.
The trio previously wowed audiences during the 2022 Shetland Folk Festival and are joining forces again especially for the weekend, with concerts at Carnegie Hall in Sandwick (Friday), Muckle Roe Hall (Saturday) and Mareel (Sunday afternoon).
Making their Shetland debut over the weekend, meanwhile, are Aberdeenshire-based Ruach, who have built up a reputation for their energetic original compositions and session stamina.
Recent finalists at Celtic Connections’ Battle of the Bands competition, the quartet is made up of Finn O’Neill (banjo, bodhran, guitar, mandolin and vocals), Euan Reid (accordion and piano), Craig Dyke (mandolin and mandola) and Kenn Clark (guitar, banjo, whistle and vocals).
Dyke said Ruach are “really excited” about their maiden visit to the islands and the opportunity “share the stage with such incredibly talented musicians”.
Of the four members, only Clark has played in Shetland previously at the 2003 folk festival with the band Hoogie, but “we’ve met and had great nights and early mornings playing tunes with many Shetland musicians over the last few years at various festivals and events”.
“It’s a real honour for us to get to explore the home of so many exceptional musicians and genuinely nice and interesting people,” Dyke said.
“For us as a band that write all our own tunes and songs, we’re just really grateful for the opportunity to share our music with such a good audience.”
He added: “The line-up changes for each night is such a fun idea – I mean we’d all happily go see gigs from Arthur Nicholson & Sarah McFadyen, Haltadans or Fullsceilidh Spelemannslag so adding in the combination of Hamish, Kevin and Ross each night is fantastic.
“We’re sure the craic will be excellent and we can’t wait to experience our first Shetland spree!”
The Peerie Xmas Spree concerts are both a tribute to and a continuation of a tradition started by Kevin’s dad, the late Davie Henderson, who also programmed the folk festival for many years, more than a decade ago.
One of this year’s organisers, Lewie Peterson, said: “The Xmas Spree was always a bit like a condensed version of the folk festival. Visiting and local musicians, a mix of rural and toon venues and most importantly a camaraderie between organisers, audiences and artists involved.
“With the family’s blessing it’s a great reason to bring it back again this year. On a personal level, the spree was Vair’s debut gig over 10 years ago and has let me listen to and session with world class musicians over the years.”
- A limited number of tickets will be available on the door for this year’s Peerie Xmas Spree gigs at Sandwick (Friday 13) and Muckle Roe (Saturday 14). Tickets for Mareel (Sunday 15 December) are available online or in person from Shetland Box Office.
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