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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.

BBC Young Trad Winner confirmed

Brilliant news! Continuing a long running tradition at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival, we are delighted to be welcoming BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2020, piper and whistle player Alexander Levack, who will perform at this year's event.  

28 Feb 20
Nathon Jones

Gráinne Brady confirmed for July

We are delighted to have secured outstanding fiddle player and composer Gráinne Brady for this year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Gráinne will perform on Saturday 11th July at the McMillan Hall along with Ulaid. It's going to be some night!  

11 Feb 20
Nathon Jones

Ulaid @TradFestival 2020

We are thrilled to announce that the superb Ulaid will be performing at this year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival at the McMillan Hall on Saturday 11th July 2020. Weekend passes are on sale now. Don't miss it!  

18 Jan 20
Nathon Jones

Sarah Markey confirmed for festival

Chuffed to bits to have secured the fabulous talent that is flute player Sarah Markey for this July's 7th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Sarah will be performing with her band on opening night, Friday 10th July 2020, at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart.  

13 Jan 20
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust in Liverpool

Asylum Link Merseyside and the family of Diane Todd are grateful and hugely appreciative of the 4 great folk from the Trad Music Trust who travelled south to Liverpool on Saturday 14th December to perform and provide a great PA sound for the tribute concert for Di in aid of Asylum Link in Liverpool.  

17 Dec 19
Billie Jones

Packed weekend at The Vault again

We've certainly hit the ground running at The Vault Arts Centre. A huge thanks to Norman, Brian and Aaron from Breakdown who played a fantastic gig on Friday night, followed by the Dynamite Kings and Conjuring Fate on Saturday night and another brilliant rock night.  

10 Dec 19
Nathon Jones

Busy weekend ahead at The Vault

The Winter Programme is hot off the press and we're off and running with lots of events over Christmas, New Year and into 2020 starting with the fabulous Breakdown this Friday 6th December, followed by Conjuring Fate, with support from The Dynamite Kings, on Saturday 7th December. Both from 7pm.  

5 Dec 19
Nathon Jones

Fantastic night with Kate Kyle

The first gig since the official opening and a fantastic night with Dumfries singer/songwriter Kate Kyle supported by Newton Stewart's very own Hamish & Kirsty Sutherland. It was fantastic to see The Vault open and full with an expectant and, ultimately, very satisfied audience. Great night.  

4 Dec 19
Nathon Jones

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

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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