The Year of Scotland in Australia (YOSA) is just getting started. In the next couple of months, Scottish artists from contemporary folk and trad scenes will take centre stage at leading festivals across the country in Canberra and Adelaide – but also at the heart of smaller communities across Australia with The Festival of Small Halls – an appropriate nod to the origins of Scottish traditional music.
While the National Folk Festival in Canberra (April 9th – 13th) will showcase some of Scotland’s most celebrated musicians – including Elephant Sessions and The Jellyman’s Daughter – the YOSA program of festivities for March and April 2020 is packed with unique opportunities to discover a broad variety of Scottish traditional music.
WOMADelaide starts this weekend (March 6th – 9th) and will feature multi-award winning Scottish act RURA, while the intimate and relaxed atmosphere of Blue Mountain Festival in Katoomba (March 13th -15th) is the perfect set up to enjoy the soulful music of quartet Fara and the high-energy, extravagant fusion act The Langan Band.
In the year-long, rich and varied program of YOSA, there is one festival that resonates a little bit more with the very essence of Scottish traditional music: The Festival of Small Halls (March 6th – April 14th – VIC, SA, NSW, ACT), Australia’s largest regionally dedicated music tour. Small Halls brings live contemporary folk music to communities that are sometimes too small or too remote to host artists from abroad.
In Scotland, folk music is the heart and soul of smaller communities and plays a vital role in celebrating Scottish culture, particularly throughout the islands. Scotland’s islands and remote communities have always lived in tune with music. Children are taught to play traditional instruments from a very young age and sing old Gaelic songs at school. Whole communities gather around a folk band and a drink at the weekend. Resident skilled pipers, fiddle and accordion players have become world renowned – some of them are touring Australia right now.
It is easy to experience the richness of Scotland’s musical heritage everywhere in the country. Pop down to any local pub, like Crofters on the isle of Arran, and enjoy weekly folk sessions with local artists. Make your way to any community centre – in Kirkwall for example, on the mystical Orkney archipelago, where local pipers and fiddlers will help you brush up your ceilidh dancing skills and it’s a great way to meet the locals.
There’s always a trad music festival nearby in Scotland, whatever the season, wherever you are. In July for example, you can either dance the night away at Hebridean Celtic Festival on the Isle of Lewis, or catch some waves and tunes on the Isle of Tiree (one of Scotland’s top surfing destinations) at Tiree Music Festival. Great music in fantastic surroundings, off the beaten track – every folk festival in Scotland is a unique experience.
In 2020, acclaimed Scottish group The Paul McKenna Band will take on the Small Halls’ adventure, starting with high-profile Port Fairy Folk Festival (March 6th – 9th). They will then hit the road to perform in 21 smaller halls across four states and territories. There is no doubt that, for the Paul McKenna Band, this festival will have a scent reminiscent of home.
There are six different tours of Small Halls during YOSA: Scottish artist Siobhan Miller toured the Small Halls in December-January, and in April and May, folk singer Iona Fyfe will follow. Start there and if you like what you hear, put Scotland at the top of your list for your next big holiday!
For more information about festivals and traditional music in Scotland, go to: www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/music-festivals/traditional-folk/
To keep up to date with the fast expanding year long programme, more detailed information and ticket links, visit www.yearofscotlandaustralia2020.com and follow @YOSA2020 #YOSA2020.
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