“Feisty and toe-tapping… The quartet’s fresh and dynamic sound is a delight” Songlines FARA are a powerhouse in the Scottish folk music scene, igniting stages with their magnetic blend of spellbinding vocals, intricate harmonies, and driving fiddle tunes rooted in rich tradition of the Orkney Islands. With three award-winning fiddlers-Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie, and Catriona Price-joined by the sensational Rory Matheson on piano, FARA deliver a sound that is bold, passionate, and unmistakably their own. Steeped in the centuries-old musical heritage of the Orkney Islands, FARA breathe new life into existing melodies while crafting original compositions that push the tradition forward. Their signature style weaves fiery fiddle sets with lyrical songwriting and three-part harmonies that soar with emotional intensity, creating performances that are as stirring as they are unforgettable.

Advance Ticket: £19.50/£18 (incl. £2 booking fee)
Ticket on Door: £22/£20 (incl. £2 booking fee)

The RTE Folk Music Awards nominee billed by Hot Press as “One of Ireland’s Best Emerging Songwriters” was born and raised in the Aran islands Gaeltacht which influences his Celtic, Folk, Contemporary music and a place that has produced well known Irish writers Liam O’Flaithearta, Máirtín Ó’Direáin and Breandán Ó’hEithir, Padraig is proudly bilingual both as a conversationalist and a songwriter and writes and sings meaningful songs on guitar and piano in Irish Gaelic and English. With influences from Enya, Emmyou Harris and The Eagles to Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor and Richard Thompson, Padraig appreciates strong songwriting with a distinct point of view.

When ‘Making Sand was nominated for “Best Original Song” at the RTE Folk Awards, it helped establish Padraig as one of Ireland’s finest contemporary songwriters, in both languages, with plaudits from Hot Press magazine and Folking.com. On it’s release, ‘Making Sand’ spent four weeks at Number 1 on the RTE Radio 1 Airplay Chart and Padraig is a regular in Irish language media Raidió na Gaeiltachta and TG4. Padraig’s show consists of authentic Irish and English language original songs about life in the west of Ireland and his other observations. He plays either solo or with a band which sometimes includes legendary musician Anthony Thistlethwaite (when he’s available from his band The Saw Doctors).

The themes of his songs translate well in regions where he has toured which share a ‘minority language’ connection such as Mid North Wales, Friesland and Euskal Herria. On the release of his second album ‘These Shores’ Padraig spent 2025 playing Festivals such as Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Folk Alliance in Montreal (representing Culture Ireland) and the St Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin as well as playing Dublin and Kilkenny TradFest. Padraig Jack ended 2025 with a performance in Dublin’s Christchurch Cathedral along with Martin Hayes and began 2026 in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall for a unique minority language themed event ‘Our Mother Tongue’ at Celtic Connections along with artists including Gruff Rhys and Gwilym Bowen Rhys (Cymru) and Le Vent Du Nord (Quebec). Padraig will release new music in 2026 while recording his next album.

Tickets:

Advance
£18.50 Standard
£17 Concession

On the door:
£20 standard
£18 concession

All ticket prices include a £2 booking fee

Now in their 25th year, Session A9 have earned their reputation as one of the best live bands in the country. Adored by fellow artists and the wider public, band members have played key roles in Capercaillie, The Peat Bog Faeries, Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, The Boys of The Lough, Fiddler’s Bid, Blazin’ Fiddles and The Treacherous Orchestra. It’s no wonder they’re frequently described as a “Scottish Supergroup”.

While the band is celebrated for its powerhouse performances and acclaimed recordings, their influence extends beyond the stage. As individuals, the members are frequently in demand, performing and recording with their own boundary-pushing projects, and serving as some of the country’s most respected tutors.

This passion for passing on the tradition culminates each year on the Isle of Skye, where for five years, the band has hosted a much-loved, sell-out week at the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Through daily individual masterclasses and collaborative group arrangement workshops, Session A9 offers students a rare, immersive window into their signature sound, making their annual residency on Skye a much-anticipated delight of the Scottish musical calendar.

Tickets:

Advance: £27 standard £25 concession
On the door: £29.50 standard £27 concession
All ticket prices include a £2 booking fee

Finley Quaye broke through in the late ’90s with a laid-back, genre-blurring sound that fused reggae, soul and pop into something entirely his own. His debut album Maverick A Strike delivered standout tracks including “Sunday Shining” and “Even After All,” becoming one of the defining records of the era – and leading Quaye winning the 1998 Brit Award for Best Male Solo Artist.

With his unmistakable voice and effortlessly warm style, Quaye has carved out a catalogue of songs that still feel as fresh and uplifting today as when they first appeared. Expect timeless tunes, good energy and a set full of feel-good moments.

Tickets
Advance : £18 (incl. £2 BF)
On the door £20 (incl. £2 BF)

14+, u18s must be accompanied by an adult

Fay Fife writes from the heart… Of humanity, love, birth, life, death, and all things in between – with earthy lyrics grounded in the words of a woman who’s lived long and played hard.
The Countess delivers… Melody! Harmony! A whole load of soul, and downright rambunctiousness! …a unique, eclectic, and country-orientated style.
These songs resonate with our times.

New album New Phone New Car New Man was out May 1st 2026.

Advance Tickets: £19/£17 (incl. £2 booking fee)
Tickets on Door: £21/£19 (incl. £2 booking fee)

Gig In A Week is a brand new free music project for young people in S1–S6, taking place at Tolbooth.

Over five days you’ll:
• Form bands and make music with other young musicians
• Write and rehearse original songs
• Learn about live sound, lighting and stagecraft
• Explore gig promotion, photography and band image
• Enhance your skills as a musician beyond live performance
• Put on a real youth-led gig at the end of the week
Whether you sing, rap, make beats, play an instrument, write lyrics, or are completely new to music – you’re welcome.
No experience needed. Just bring your ideas, creativity and willingness to give it a go.

What to expect:
• A relaxed and supportive environment
• Professional music tutors and industry guests
• Space to experiment, collaborate and meet new people
• A live performance at the end of the week

The workshop will run Tues 21st July to Fri 24th July 10am-4pm and Sat 25th July 1:30pm-8pm at Tolbooth.

Spaces are free but limited so sign up is essential.

Ryan Young is a Scottish fiddle player working within the traditional music of Scotland. His playing is noted for its distinctive tone and phrasing, with an approach that places melody and expression at the centre of the music.
He first came to wider attention with his debut album, produced by four-time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (Béla Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma), establishing the foundations of a career that has since developed an international reach. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, and is recognised for a style that draws on both Scottish and Irish traditions.
Young is a multi award-winning artist and has received multiple nominations at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, including back-to-back nominations in recent years and most recently for Musician of the Year in 2025. He has also been a finalist in both the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
His recordings have received consistent critical attention, with The Scotsman awarding five-star reviews across his work. In live performance, he has been described as “a force of nature.”
Young’s third studio album, due for release in May 2026, is produced and features Martin Hayes. Recorded with engineer Patrick Phillips (The Gloaming, Peter Gabriel), the album includes contributions from Stuart McCallum (The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra) and Louis Campbell (Sam Lee, Sam Sweeney).
Reflecting on the project, Hayes said: “I had the pleasure of being in the studio with Ryan as producer of this latest recording. For the most part I just sat back and enjoyed the music as it unfolded. I have known Ryan and his music for many years, and it has been wonderful to witness its continuous evolution. On this recording you can hear his ability to inhabit the tunes fully and let them speak with honesty and depth. This is a deeply felt and soulful recording, drawing on both Scottish and Irish traditions.”

Advance Tickets: £18/ £16 (including £2 booking fee)
Tickets on Door: £20/ £18 (including £2 booking fee)

The Fugitives have been nominated for a JUNO, as well as 7 Canadian Folk Music Awards, including Best Vocal Group, Best Ensemble, and Best Songwriter. They’ve performed at Glastonbury, were awarded Best Folk Album of the Year by the German Music Critics’ Association, and were named a 2020 Globe & Mail “Top Arts Pick of the Year”. They’ve earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship. As the CBC has it: “This show is simply brilliant.” In 2026, they will be touring in support of their seventh album.



“This is classic songwriting with a conscience” – Americana UK

“Every now and then there are surprises that leave you speechless, even if you have decades of listening under your belt. This is one of them.” – Roots Time, Belgium

“The four part vocals are sensational. Each of them has the talent, voice, and charisma to front their own band.” – Edmonton Sun

“A sound that’s like the missing link between Leonard Cohen and the Pogues” – Georgia Straight, Vancouver

Tickets £19.50 incl bf in advance
£22 incl bf on door

Come vagabonds, come mountebanks, come coney-catchers and cutpurses and meet the King of Crumbs! As seen on Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

★★★★★ “An absolute treasure trove” (Chortle)

“Either a genius or a very silly man” (Rolling Stone)

Tickets £22 incl £2 booking fee

Age restriction 16+