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A weave of words and music

Welcome to Scotland Unwrapped, the 16th edition of our award-winning year-long series. Celebrating Scottish music and spoken word culture, the series will highlight both its traditional and regional riches but also explore the diverse contemporary scene and the writers and composers which give Scotland its distinctive voice. As well as covering a wide range of musical genres from cutting-edge contemporary composers, folk musicians and Scottish classical ensembles, Scotland Unwrapped also embraces the heady literary scene and wealth of Scottish festivals.

Scotland Unwrapped features Artist in Residence Karine Polwart and Guest Curators Aidan O’Rourke and Jackie Kay.

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Drew McDowall

Contemporary / Scotland Unwrapped

For the opening night of our month-long Luminate series, Kings Place is proud to present Scottish experimental/electronic musician Drew McDowall (formerly of Coil), with a live set performing music from his latest album.

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The Marian Consort

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

The award-winning voices of The Marian Consort present a programme of sumptuous Renaissance polyphony from some of Scotland’s few surviving sixteenth-century manuscripts.

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Kinnaris Quintet

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

Based in Glasgow, MG Alba Trad Music Awards 2018 & 2022 Folk Band of the Year Kinnaris Quintet take influences of traditional Scottish, Irish, Bluegrass, Classical, Scandinavian and Appalachian music, creating technically dazzling and evocative arrangements. Expect uplifting and driving harmonies, intricate arrangements, and joy in abundance.

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Àrainn: Electroacoustic music from Scotland 

Contemporary / Scotland Unwrapped

Join us for an enthralling and immersive evening with composer/sound artist Peter Stollery as he presents works by Scottish composers that each reflect a powerful notion of place. The music will be played through d&b Soundscape, a 360° speaker system and digital programme that will enhance the dynamic movement inherent in each of the pieces.

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Ensemble Hesperi

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

Relive a musical evening in 18th century Edinburgh with the dazzling young Ensemble Hesperi and soprano Harriet Burns, where fashions combined the best of the Italian Baroque with the soaring melodies and dance rhythms of traditional Scottish music.

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Dunedin Consort & Hebrides Ensemble

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

Two of Scotland’s award-winning ensembles join forces to present James MacMillan’s extraordinary setting – by turns intimate and dramatic – of the Resurrection story.

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The Dark Matter Choir: Weekend Workshop and Performance

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

A unique opportunity to form Karine Polwart and Pippa Murphy’s 'The Dark Matter Choir', and take part in a weekend of workshops, as part of Karine’s Sing to the Dark Weekend as Artist in Residence at Kings Place.

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Heal & Harrow: Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

Celebrated folk musicians Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl pay a humanising tribute to victims of the 16th and 17th Century Scottish Witch Trials, while also exploring historical beliefs in the supernatural and modern-day parallels in our society.

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Rachel Sermanni + Kim Carnie

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

As part of Karine Polwart’s Sing to the Dark Weekend, enjoy an intimate evening from two of the most exciting young Scottish voices, singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni, and Gaelic singer and composer Kim Carnie.

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Karine Polwart with Pippa Murphy and special guests

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

Inspired by seasonal traditions, Scottish songwriter and storyteller, Karine Polwart, journeys into and out of darkness via some of the best-loved songs of her 25-year career, as well as new music, story and immersive sound, crafted in collaboration with sound designer and composer Pippa Murphy.

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Admiral Fallow

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

Glasgow-based folk-indie group Admiral Fallow (Louis Abbott, Kevin Brolly, Phil Hague, Sarah Hayes and Joe Rattray) make their Kings Place debut as part of Scotland Unwrapped.

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Douglas Stuart & Jackie Kay in conversation

Words / Scotland Unwrapped

A rare opportunity to hear 'Shuggie Bain' and 'Young Mungo' author Douglas Stuart in conversation with Scotland Unwrapped Guest Curator, Jackie Kay CBE.

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Siobhan Miller Band

Folk / ‘Under 30s’ Tickets

A richly celebrated Scottish folk singer and songwriter, Siobhan Miller’s soulful and stirring renewal of traditional song has won numerous accolades, including the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards’ Scots Singer of the Year an unprecedented four times. She returns to Kings Place with her first-ever full band tour.

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Fergus McCreadie

Jazz / EFG London Jazz Festival

Critically acclaimed Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie plays the opening night of the EFG London Jazz Festival at Kings Place with music from his new album 'Stream,' following two sold out performances in our Scotland Unwrapped series in January. With support from Scottish cello and guitar duo Juliette Lemoine and Chris Amer.

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Norman&Corrie

Jazz / EFG London Jazz Festival

Scottish musical duo Norman&Corrie bring their unique musical setup to present bewitching, adventurous interpretations of traditional melodies at Kings Place as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival, ahead of the release of their debut album in November 2024.

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Aurora Orchestra: The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse

Family / Scotland Unwrapped

Join a duck and a mouse on an adventure inside a wolf, as Aurora and Scottish composer Martin Suckling bring Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s much-loved children’s story to musical life. “Early one morning a

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Cryptic at 30 presents: Kathy Hinde, Konx-om-Pax & others 

Contemporary / Scotland Unwrapped

Cryptic continue their 30th birthday celebrations in November, presenting an eclectic evening of audiovisual work.

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Steven Osborne with Principal Aurora Players

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

Scotland’s most revered pianist, Steven Osborne, is joined by two of Aurora Orchestra’s Principal Players for an evening of mesmerising French music.

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St Andrew's Night with Blue Rose Code, Eddi Reader & Steve Knightley

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

St Andrew's Night at Kings Place will be an extraordinary evening in London, evincing the finest Scottish voices backed by an elite house band of Scottish musicians performing songs that manifest the real spirit of a modern St Andrew's Day.

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Lùban: Aidan O'Rourke & Sean Shibe

Folk / Scotland Unwrapped

Bringing together two Scottish musicians who are both embedded in tradition, Guest Curator and folk fiddler Aidan O’Rourke is joined by classical guitarist Sean Shibe as they strip back the conservative ritual around their respective genres.

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London Sinfonietta: Love Lines

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

London Sinfonietta returns to Kings Place, presenting an evening of music by Scottish Composers exploring the idea of love and our deepest human need for connection, with music from Judith Weir, Peter Maxwell Davies and James MacMillan.

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Colin Currie Quartet play Anna Meredith

Classical / Scotland Unwrapped

Scottish star percussionist Colin Currie brings a uniquely sparkling quartet programme featuring two world premieres, and three Scots composers.

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Cahill//Costello

Contemporary / Scotland Unwrapped

Ambient duo Cahill//Costello from Glasgow bring their shared, highly emotive soundworld to Kings Place for Scotland Unwrapped. Their process fuses elements of minimalism and ambient music, without regard for overcomplication or unnecessary tangents.

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