Folk festival is back with an all-star line up
Girvan Traditional Folk Festival is backthis weekend with a stellar line up.
Organisers are excited to welcome back revellers to the town for the 47th festival, which takes place over April 29 to May 1.
Concerts, workshops, poetry, storytelling, an instrument maker’s fair, and a community ceilidh are all on the bill.
On Friday, April 29 at The Catholic Hall, festival goers can expect some West Highland ceilidh dance sets from Creel, a foot-stomping band from Oban.
The annual tribute to festival founder Bobby Robb will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 2pm at The Catholic Hall and will feature friends and musical companions of Bobby’s over the years including Bud Frazer, Martin Shane & George McCullough from Belfast, Pat Lappin of Ayr’s Phoenix Folk Club and members of Girvan Folk Club.
Over at The McKechnie Institute on Saturday at 3.30pm will be Ayrshire-born poet Josie Neill with fellow poet and collaborator Stuart A Paterson, who will introduce a showcase of new song settings of poems taken from Josie’s celebrated 2021 collection There’s Ma Mammy Wavin.
On Sunday, May 1 at 7.30pm, the farewell concert will feature a special performance from old friends Allan MacDonald and Cathal McConnell.
And renowned balladeer Alasdair Roberts will entertain as he previews songs from his forthcoming solo album of traditional songs and ballads, Painted Rooms, due for release in early 2023.
Alasdair, who is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest songwriters, will also perform some lesser-known gems from his extensive back catalogue.
Workshops with world-class tutors will take place each morning of the Festival weekend, providing immersive tuition in traditional arts including pipes, fiddle and accordion.
A full list of events with timings and locations is available here.
Weekend festival tickets, £55/ £60, are available to buy online alongside individual event tickets.