Saturday Afternoon Family Concert

The Concert is entry by donation and it is Family Friendly event where we try to give as many young people the opportunity to perform as possible - By young of course we also include
'Young at Heart' This Year we will have; Corralach - have been playing around Scotland for over 13 years and although they retired from touring last year are probably better described
as 'Semi-Retired'. They are proud to call Ardersier their Home Folk Club, they have a love of and bring to folk music their own unique blend of harmony singing a wide range of songs
drawn from the tradition and penned by themselves. They love singing, poetry and humour, often directed at themselves!
Ardersier Forte, - Bio awaited
Mellow Yellow - Bio awaited
Penguins Tuxedo - Bio awaited
Fijian Choir - Bio awaited

Saturday Concert

Sylvia McGowan and Dave Godden

Sylvia is a singer songwriter and song leader from Edinburgh and sings regularly in the local folk scene in and around Edinburgh and
beyond. While singing with Stairheid Gossip (A capella folk) they recorded 2 albums and performed at folk festivals around the UK and Ireland.
Sylvia has been leading very successful workshops over many years and loves working with people who are "scared to sing" believing if you would
love to sing then come along and just do it.

Dave began playing moothie aged 5. He is a singer, songwriter and founder member of the Club. Since 2018, he's been writing songs and tunes and
performing to raise money for charity, resulting in 3 albums of self-penned material which have raised over £15,000, mainly for MS Society Scotland.
Dave and Sylvia met at Feis Rois and have since sung together on many occasions.

Saltfish Forty

Saltfishforty are a fresh and dynamic duo hailing from the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland. Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (songs/guitar/mandola) combine the rich traditional music of Orkney with original compositions. The powerhouse partnership have won a devoted following throughout the UK and beyond, brilliantly transcending the duo format's conventional confines. Linchpin figures in the currently flourishing revival of Orkney's traditional music, they unite these deep rooted sources with an exhilarating breadth of influence and expertise, catalysed by a creative empathy born from decades of friendship. The result is a sound of equally thrilling raw attack and multi-dimensional richness. A partnership forged back in 2002 - more by accident than design - the two knew each other since primary school, and played together in sessions and various bands, until they were booked in a four-piece for a charity gig, and only the two turned up: "We decided to go on and just make as much noise as two people possibly could - which is kind of how it's been ever since" they say. Years later, Saltfishforty have delighted audiences at many of the world's top folk festivals including Celtic Connections, Cambridge, HebCelt, Shetland, Lorient in Brittany and Canada's Celtic Colours, as well as touring to the US and throughout Europe. Their focus on Orkney music takes in traditional, contemporary and original material, boldly cross-fertilised with influences from Americana to East European folk, plus a high-octane whiff of heavy metal.

Sunday Closing Concert

Paul Tonberg Song Writing Shield Finalists

Willie MacDonald, last year's Paul Tonberg Shield Winner with Alison MacDonald and The Vocal Line.

Willie MacDonald, is originally from Glasgow but has lived in the Highlands for over 40 years. Willie joined the club during lockdown, moved to Ardersier to live in 2022 and has become a valued regular member of the club bringing some excellent touching, thought provoking and humerous songs to club nights. His song 'Love Can Come' was a very popular winner at the 2023 competition.
Alison MacDonald, is a long standing member of Ardersier Folk Club and brings to club nights her own brand of fiddle playing and recently, mandolin and singing. She accompanies Willie in many songs bringing counterpoint harmony and instrumental backing as well as playing a wide variety of tunes on her own.
The Vocal Line, led by Musical Director, Maggie Newlands, another long standing and valued member of the club, began in 2016 as an informal get-together of a few friends who already enjoyed singing with each other. Since then, the group has grown, and we currently have 25 members. They sing an eclectic range of music – contemporary, traditional, gospel, songs from other cultures, many at their monthly Saturday Singing Workshops at Nairn Community & Arts Centre. These workshops are open to all.

Anthony Toner

After a wonderfully-received concert at Ardersier in April of 2023, Belfast-based singer songwriter Anthony Toner makes a welcome return as festival guest with an intimate solo acoustic show featuring a selection of songs from his extensive back catalogue. As always, expect some peerless guitar playing on a repertoire that includes live favourites like 'Sailortown', 'East of Louise' and 'Well Well Well', as well as selections like 'An Alphabet' and 'The Protection of the King', from his more recent albums. Along the way he'll throw in some well-chosen cover versions, some Irish tunes, some blues - and of course a number of stories from the road and background information on the songs. And he may even read a poem or two. One audience member at a recent show commented that the evening was 'like watching a series of beautiful short films'

                                                                                                                Audience Comments - Festival 2023

"Another great Ceilidh Dance opened by John, Garrick and Derek followed by the wonderfull Andy Ross Scottish Dance Band"
"This Ceilidh Dance is becoming part of the tradition of this great festival."
"Fabulous main concert"
"This festival has only been running for 3 years! It feels well established, I thought it was about 10 years."
"Wonderful. Keep up the good work."
" Congratulations on such a successful weekend."