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HEISK performing at this year's TradFestival!


4 Jul 23
by Charlie McAdam

HEISK

We are delighted to welcome HEISK to this year's Traditional Music & Dance Festival! HEISK are a powerful force on the folk scene. Their relentlessly energetic music stems from their roots in Scottish traditional music and combines it with punchy riffs and grooves.

The group banded together after noticing a lack of female representation in trad music. This inspired them to create the 10-track album with a range of other female creatives. The energetic band were brought together via Glasgow’s thriving music scene and the six members come from all corners of Scotland. The funky folk band is made up of Becca Skeoch on electro harp, Catriona Hawksworth on keys, Lauren Macdonald on kit, Megan MacDonald on accordion, Isla Callister on fiddle and Sally Simpson on fiddle.

Becca Skeoch said: “After a number of years of writing and performing together, we felt it was time to record our debut album that showcased our festival party vibe and celebrated the awesome women working in the creative industries. Created, performed and engineered by women, the album highlights the talents of underrepresented professionals in the creative industries. We are proud to have collaborated on our debut release with a female producer, photographer, videographer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, manager and promoter. This is girl power at its best.” 

“unsurprisingly bold, full of energy and impeccably played” Northern Sky

“The results speak for themselves. HEISK is a wonderful album” At The Barrier

Trad Music Trust and everyone involved with this year’s Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival can't wait to see HEISK perform for this year's festival!

HEISK's Website

In Other News


MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024 - Vote Now!

This year, 10 years since the very first Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival, we need your support more than ever. Despite continued funding cuts the event was still glorious, and the music absolutely mighty. Vote now to help save this vital traditional music festival!  

1 Oct 24
Nathon Jones

Outstanding sponsorship support from Five Kingdoms Brewery

Serving local produce ensures that the project supports local businesses and the local community. A huge favourite are the beers from Five Kingdoms Brewery which are brewed in Isle of Whithorn. We are hugely grateful to Alastair and his team for their very generous support for this year's festival.  

12 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Workshops at this year's festival

With so many outstanding musicians in Newton Stewart this weekend it would be foolish not to take full advantage, and we've done just that with a superb programme of traditional music workshops which are included as part of the Weekend Pass ticket, £10 per adult or £Free for under 25s.  

11 Jul 24
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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