Live / Big weekend ahead as folk festival kicks off
MANY parts of Shetland will be alive with the sound of music over the coming days as the 44th Shetland Folk Festival kicks off.
The customary opening event has just started at Islesburgh in Lerwick as some of the visiting acts take to the stage.
In addition to some reviews, Shetland News will be running a live blog over the weekend – which can be found on this article at the bottom of the page. It will be updated with videos, photos and other snippets.
There will be a total of 15 visiting acts from nine different nations performing across Shetland from today (Thursday) through to Sunday night, backed up by a breadth of local talent.
Among the visiting acts are Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys, The Foreign Landers and Mexico’s Los Vega.
Committee member Mhari McLeman said the team are “so excited for the 44th folk festival to kick off, with a fantastic range of both visiting and local acts set to perform over the coming days”.
“It’s a huge triumph of volunteer effort to pull off what we do and it’s amazing watching hundreds of volunteers rally together to pull it off each year,” she said.
“Yet again we’re so incredibly proud of our community and as per usual, we have music and events to cater for all tastes.”
One local musician set for a busy festival will be Adam Priest, who will be playing bass/double bass with The Revellers and Kansa.
“It’s great to be involved again this year,” he said.
“I’m on playing with The Revellers Friday night and then Kansa Saturday afternoon, maybe with some sessions in between, if I can keep up.
“Now my lasses are a bit older, I’ll be able to get them to a couple of evening gigs too. We really enjoy seeing the variety of local and visiting acts the hard working committee bring together.”
Meanwhile McLeman said it is “not too late to join in either, so come you”.
Anyone wishing to take heed of her advice should visit the folk festival’s website, where tickets are still available for some of the events.
The only event still with availability tonight, however, is the event at the Big Kirk in Lerwick.
There are still some tickets available for events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon, with all the three foy events which will close the festival already sold out.
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It’s only Thursday, but you can tell Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys are sure to be one of the festival’s highlights this weekend.
Musical sessions are much-loved part of the folk festival – here’s a clip of one in full flow.
Award-winning singer Hannah Rarity is another of the visiting acts at this year’s folk festival.
The Onlies are also on the bill for the opening ceremony. With a variety of instruments and harmonies they have been described as a “perfect band” for the folk festival.
Here is HUIPPU from Finland playing overseas for the first time. They are the first musical act of the day at the opening ceremony.
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