Weekend of ‘musical revelry’ planned by fiddler Chris Stout and friends
PERHAPS fiddler Chris Stout’s Facebook post about his upcoming ‘big weekend’ in Lerwick summed it up pretty well: “Major craic alert”.
The musician is set to team up with a bunch of friends and music collaborators to host three days and nights of gigs and sessions in the town next weekend – all to raise money for Shetland Foodbank and the RNLI.
It will mark something of a spree-fuelled homecoming for the Shetlander, who lives in Glasgow.
Stout’s Big Weekend will kick off in the Thule on Friday 16 October with an afternoon opening concert before a gig and session in the Marlex at night.
On Saturday 17 October there will be music in the Marlex during the afternoon, before things head to the Thule at night.
And on the Sunday afternoon (18 October) there will be a ‘closing cabaret’ event at the Marlex followed by an open session for all at night.
The events – which are supported by NorthLink Ferries – are free entry, but there will be collections for the two charities.
On the line-up are a host of musicians, from Ross Couper, Bryan Gear and Catriona McKay to Arthur Nicholson, The Loose Ends and Haltadans.
One slightly less traditional feature of the weekend will be Bop Shop DJs Lyall and Yetti performing with live improved music accompaniment, which is taking place at the Marlex on the Saturday between 4pm and 6pm.
It comes after Stout, who has played with the likes of Fiddlers’ Bid and alongside harpist Catriona McKay, curated a special programme of Orkney and Shetland music and culture in Aberdeen last year.
Speaking to Shetland News about his big weekend, the fiddler said the idea came up following a conversation with Iain Johnston from Gray’s.
“I’m delighted to bring together a whole bunch of pals from Shetland have a weekend of musical revelry with not too many boundaries,” Stout said.
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He added that Shetland Foodbank and the RNLI are two causes which are “hugely important”.
“Hopefully people will enjoy it, and enjoy having all the musicians about – a sort of mini festival atmosphere,” Stout said.
“It’s a chance for us get together and do what we do best, and that’s playing music – but also just to be with one another, and have a chance to blether and catch up.”
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