We are absolutely thrilled to announce a very exciting line up for this years Islay Sessions festival.
Voted “Best Live Act 2013” & “Best Folk Band 2012” at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and twice nominated “Best Band” at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards; Scottish five-pieceBreabach, deliver a thrilling and unique brand of contemporary folk music that has earned them international recognition on the world and roots music scene as one of the UK’s most dynamic and exciting bands. With two highland pipers in the bands, this will surely be a sure foot stompin’ way to end the night!
Talisk: a fiddle, concertina and guitar trio, play fast paced arrangements of traditional and modern tunes. Winners of the 2015 BBC Radio 2 “Young Folk Award”, Talisk are one of the fastest rising bands on the British folk scene.
The Routes Quartet is a string quartet with a difference; made up of traditional folk musicians, Routes writes and performs a combination of contemporary compositions and innovative arrangements of traditional music. The ensemble bridges the gap between classical and folk music; exploring the vast textures, tones and intimate musical qualities characteristic of a string quartet.
On Sunday evening in the Port Charlotte Hotel will be a “Concert in the Conservatory” with Sarah Hayes. Sarah is an astounding singer, multi-instrumentalist and composer of dazzling versatility. Best known for her work with Admiral Fallow, over the past few years she has been in demand for many different projects. Sarah’s debut solo album, Woven – a studio reimagining of her Celtic Connections New Voices commission – has received widespread acclaim since its release in November 2015.
Alongside these many events will be the usual festival sessions in the Port Charlotte Hotel Friday and Sunday nights. There will also be mixed instruments workshops (for intermediate players) Saturday and Sunday mornings for adults and under 18’s.
More events TBA. Tickets for all events available on EventBrite. For the Saturday night concert there will be tickets on the door, however due to venue capacity these are limited. Purchase in advance is only available online at www.islaysessions.eventbrite.co.uk
