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Latest Festival News


All the latest festival news as well as news and updates from the traditional music scene in Dumfries & Galloway including concerts, workshops, artist updates, new music releases, music reviews and more. We'll also be featuring news and views from some of our favourite traditional music artists and traditional music news from around the world.

The Vault Arts Centre Now Open!

We enjoyed a busy open day on Friday 29th November 2019 with members of the public popping in throughout the day to have a look around and be one of the first to see the new Winter Programme which contains information about the Centre and what's on from now until February 2020.  

4 Dec 19
Nathon Jones

Open Day at The Vault Arts Centre

Join us this Friday 29th November between 1pm-5pm at The Vault Arts Centre, 40 Victoria Street, Newton Stewart for the official ('ish) opening and be the first to see the brand new Winter programme which details everything that's happening at the centre from now until March 2020.  

28 Nov 19
Nathon Jones

Saltire Awards for Young Volunteers

Local young people recently received their Saltire Award certificates in recognition of the volunteering they did at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival in 2019.  

18 Nov 19
Nathon Jones

Superb night at The Vault

Huge thanks to Connor Clark & The Matador Kings and the brilliant Kasama for a truly memorable gig at The Vault Arts Centre on Saturday night. Absolutely class performances from both bands and an unforgettable night of live music. Looking forward to round 2 in early 2020!  

11 Nov 19
Nathon Jones

We did it!

We're thrilled to announce that Trad Music Trust's Project Co-ordinator and Festival Director for Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival, Nathon Jones, won the Culture Champion of the Year award at the D&G Life Awards last Friday night.  

11 Nov 19
Billie Jones

D&G Life Awards Tonight

We would like to wish Project Co-ordinator & Festival Director, Nathon Jones, all the very best of luck this evening as he travels to Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, for the 10th anniversary of the D&G Life Awards. Nathon has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Culture Champion of the Year category.  

8 Nov 19
Billie Jones

Kasama & Connor Clark This Weekend

Don't miss two of Scotland's most up-and-coming bands at The Vault Arts Centre this Saturday 9th November 2019 from 7:00pm. Aberdeen's Connor Clark & The Matador Kings kicks things off in style followed by Kirkcudbright's very own Kasama who will tear the roof off the place! Tickets on sale now.  

7 Nov 19
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust support from Co-op

We are thrilled to have been selected by the Co-op as one of the local causes that will benefit from the next round of the Co-op Local Community Fund which runs from 27 October 2019 to 24 October 2020, receiving 1% of members' spend on selected Co-op products and services.  

23 Oct 19
Nathon Jones

The Vault is the place to be...

Make sure you don't miss the inaugural rock night at The Vault Arts Centre, Newton Stewart, this Saturday 5th October featuring Glasgow band, the outstanding, Anchor Lane with support from The Dynamite Kings. Doors from 7:00pm and, due to a monumental cock-up, it's BYOB so a cheap night too! Boss!  

3 Oct 19
Nathon Jones

Nominate us for STMA 2019?

We're looking for your support with a nomination for this year's MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. You can nominate us for Event of the Year (category 6) or Community Project of the Year (category 5), with nominations closing on Sunday 13th October. Thank you for your support!  

1 Oct 19
Billie Jones

Culture Champion Finalist

It was with much delight that we heard last week that our Festival Director, Nathon Jones, has been selected as a finalist in the Culture Champion of the Year category at the Dumfries & Galloway Life Awards 2019, and will head to Easterbrook Hall on 8th November for the prestigious awards ceremony.  

1 Oct 19
Billie Jones

Win tickets for 10th-12th July 2020

If you were lucky enough to have attended the festival this year, we're on the hunt for your thoughts, comments and feedback to help us improve and develop the event plus, if you leave an e-mail address and/or telephone, you'll be automatically entered in the prize draw to win tickets for 2020!  

31 Aug 19
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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