Mòd medal winner tops festival’s Gaelic night
The Mull of Kintyre Music Festival (MOKFest) Beinn an Tuirc Gaelic Night always attracts an impressive line-up and this year is no exception, with a Royal National Mòd Gold Medal winner headlining.
Award-winning Gaelic singer and piper Calum Alex MacMillan will be accompanied by renowned guitarist Ross Martin when he takes to the stage in Campbeltown’s Argyll Arms Hotel on Wednesday August 17.
Calum Alex was born and brought up in the Isle of Lewis, surrounded by traditional music and Gaelic song from a young age.
He has gone on to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic singers since becoming one of the youngest ever winners of the Mòd Gold Medal.
Descended from a long line of distinguished bards and singers, Calum Alex received piping tuition from the world famous Pipe Major Iain Morrison, who greatly influenced his playing style.
As well as maintaining a successful career as solo singer and piper, Calum Alex was part of the Gaelic supergroup Dàimh between 2006 and 2012, recording two critically acclaimed albums and performing extensively throughout the UK and Europe.
He was also part of the Gaelic supergroup Na Seòid, who were led by Gaelic singer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy.
Accompanying Calum Alex will be Dàimh guitarist Ross, who has built a world-wide reputation in the field of accompanying Gaelic song and bagpipes.
They will be joined on the night by a host of local and visiting performers including Iain MacPherson, The Tarbert Gaelic Choir and Raibeart MacCallum, with Christine MacIntyre as bean an tigh.
Iain is a festival fan favourite, having performed and headlined at Dalriada Connections Concerts and Gaelic Nights over the past few years. He is also a past winner of the Silver Pendant at the Royal National Mòd.
Tickets for all this year’s MOKFest concerts, from Wednesday August 17 to Sunday August 21, which feature artists including Elephant Sessions, Trail West, Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Fìobha Ceilidh Band, Brian McNeill and Slainte Davaar Allstars, are available from AP Taylor, Main Street, Campbeltown, or online at www.ticketweb.com.
Find out more about the festival by visiting www.mokfest.com or emailing mokfest@hotmail.co.uk.