Don't miss Autumn Trad this weekend!
19 Oct 22
by Nathon Jones
Fiddle player Eryn Rae performs on Fri 21st Oct
Over 21st-23rd October, the very best in young traditional music talent - Eryn Rae, Michael Biggins, Lewis McLaughlin and Binky Blue - all take to the stage for the 2nd annual Autumn Trad festival at The Vault Arts Centre, Newton Stewart. There'll also be fantastic tune sessions all weekend.
Last year, after a lengthy lay-off from any live music, Trad Music Trust embarked on creating another event to support July's major festival - Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival - and, at the time, to give us something to look forward to in terms of live music and tune sessions.
Autumn Trad was born and featured the outstanding talents of young performers James Bauld, Euan McLaughlin, Malin Lewis, Luc McNally and Chloë Bryce.
This year, the event has retained it's youth approach, with some of Scotland's finest young musicians and not one, but two BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award winners!
Hailing from the Scottish Borders, Eryn Rae has been playing the fiddle from the age of 7 under the tuition of renowned Shetland fiddler, Catriona Macdonald. Now based in Glasgow, she has just won the title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2022, and most recently completed her studies at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, receiving a First-Class Honours Degree in Traditional Music. Back in 2017, she was also placed as one of four finalists in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2017 which took her to the Royal Albert Hall.
Michael Biggins is a multi-instrumentalist originally from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne but now residing in Glasgow. He currently plays and tours with TRIP, The Canny Band, Tom McConville, Northern Company and Irish Celtic – Spirit of Ireland Dance Show. In January last year, Michael became BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year for 2021.
Edinburgh-born Lewis McLaughlin was inspired by the likes of John Martyn and Villagers to begin writing and recording his own songs. He has performed across Europe in various outfits, accompanying his father at folk shows and playing with his brother in a folk duo before going solo.
He currently lives in Glasgow, and has just released his debut album, on Andy Monaghan’s (Frightened Rabbit) Monohands Records. Lewis has performed at various festivals with his solo project including Glastonbury, Belladrum, Otherlands and Connect.
He has been championed by various BBC Radio Scotland shows, the Zoe Ball breakfast show, and has appeared on TV as part of BBC 2’s coverage of Glastonbury 2022. He has been featured by the likes of NME and Rolling Stone UK.
A life-affirming listen, ‘Feel The Ground You Walk Upon’ in one moment will have you misty-eyed, wishing you could hold a pint aloft with your dearest pals and in the next, have you contemplating your most intense personal struggles. All the while Mclaughlin’s warm timbre blazes perpetually, unifying and comforting the lost souls that gather in its glow.
Binky Blue are a brother and sister duo that have been bringing their exciting neo-trad music to audiences across Scotland since 2018. Capturing elements from Traditional, Dance, Electronic and Folk music results in captivating and high energy performances that engage and energise listeners to clap, dance and stomp along.
You won't want to miss these fabulous musicians in action, so please made sure you book early for another fantastic weekend of music in Dumfries & Galloway.
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