Folk traditions are immersed in the stories of the common people, touching on universal themes affecting the human condition, of struggles and dreams, and the potential to affect change. Our singers carry the stories of everyday life, whether delving into contemporary concerns or chanelling voices from the past; ghosts on their shoulders connecting us to a rich seam of history and cultural legacy. From “trad. anon” to contemporary creators, tunes uplift, make us move and express ourselves, connecting us with people, and continuing a thread from previous generations whose dancing feet would have similarly stepped and whirled in kitchens and shared community spaces.

In a weekend celebrating that connecting thread, we showcase some of the finest contemporary musicians from a living tradition. They are singers and players who not only draw from an oral tradition, linking us back in time, but who also drive forwards with their own bold creative visions to create a body of work for the present, and for the future canon. Orcadian singer Kris Drever and English fiddler Sam Sweeney will both present sets which offer a retrospective of their own illustrious musical careers, as well as sharing brand new music. ‘All-singing, all-dancing folk polymath’ Ellie Gowers and The Shackleton Trio, whose ‘songs glide across land and water, history and the present,’ and timeless  songwriting of Amelia Coburn show us that the future tradition is in safe hands.