MUSIC
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TRADFEST EDINBURGH A traditional festival connecting the modern with the historic
Scottish traditional folk arts and culture are given their own 12-day festival celebration in the form of TradFest Edinburgh. Billed as a chance to ‘bring in the summer’ through story, song and dance, TradFest is a city-wide spree featuring pub sessions, piping displays and folk concerts exploring and unpicking Scotland’s musical history. ‘TradFest is a dynamic festival led by the
communities and cultures that celebrate traditional art all year round,’ says festival manager Daniel Abercrombie. This is mirrored in the opening event, a piping concert entitled Bagpipes Gu Leòr, which reclaims the rich piping culture and myriad styles that have been lost over the decades since military and competitive piping became the norm.
There will also be a music hub at
Summerhall where a programme of bands and solo artists put together by the Soundhouse Organisation takes place. Highlights include Dean Owens and Amy Geddes with their show Redwood Mountain: Transatlantic Crossings, which builds on archivist Alan Lomax’s Book of American Folk Songs. Keep an eye out, too, for performances from Ireland’s Connla, and the UK debut from American roots duo, the Lowest Pair (pictured). Plus, the Edinburgh Folk Club showcase will feature duos Fil Campbell & Tom McFarland and Tom McConville & Andy Watt, all in a festival that’s dedicated to connecting the past to the present in an inclusive and exciting way. (Kirstyn Smith) ■ Various venues, Edinburgh, Wed 26 Apr–Sun 7 May.
1 Apr–31 May 2017 THE LIST 83