Edinburgh Tradfest announced its return in 2020 thanks to the renewed support of Creative Scotland’s open funding programme.
Tradfest brings the past, present and future of traditional music to the capital city and showcases the best international and local artists.
Acclaimed folk musician Eliza Carthy and The Restitute Band will open the festival on Friday 1 May at Assembly Music Hall, bringing her boundary-crossing style, nuanced voice, and fierce fiddle playing to Edinburgh.
Following a hugely successful 2019 run, The Soundhouse Organisation return to programme the festival for a second year after a high turnout from international audiences and nearly double audience attendance for Soundhouse performances last year.
The main music programme, which goes on sale this weekend, runs for 11 days and features the very best of traditional music happening across the world today. Highlights include: BBC Radio 2’s 2018 Folk Singer Of The Year Karine Polwart; iconic Scottish band Shooglenifty celebrating their 30th year; unchallenged champions of straight in the eye Highland music Dàimh; the dynamic Kinnaris Quintet who’s influences range from traditional Scottish and Irish music to Bluegrass, Old-Time and Classical; ‘nordgrass’ Finnish group Frigg; cutting-edge klezmer and world folk music from Moishe’s Bagel; Irish folk-singer Daoirí Farrell; contemporary champions of traditional Scots song Malinky; and all-female band with powerful vocals and instrumental prowess The Shee.
New for 2020 is the specially commissioned Shetland Springs: a celebration of the Shetland fiddle tradition at the Traverse Theatre on Sunday 10 May. Curated by Catriona Macdonald, it will feature performances from herself and other luminaries from the northern isles, including Chris Stout, Kevin Henderson, Ross Couper and Margaret Robertson.
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said:
Last year Tradfest reclaimed Scotland’s traditional music heritage for the capital city, with a festival that celebrated the trailblazers of the past and the rising stars of the future.
Tickets for the main music programme are on sale this weekend. The full Tradfest programme, which will include events from different art forms happening all across the city, will be announced mid-March.
Edinburgh Tradfest will run from 1 to 11 May 2020