Edinburgh Tradfest - Bogha-Frois

We are very happy to be partnering with Bogha-Frois for the first time this year. Gaelic for ‘rainbow’ Bogha-Frois aka ‘Queer Voices in Folk’ is is a community of queer folk musicians based in Scotland and beyond. They are curating a night of amazing music for us featuring a number of fabulous bands.

Already confirmed are Hebridean trio Hecla and Madderam, an up-and-coming five-piece from the central belt. Here’s a wee bit about each band...

This gig is part of Edinburgh Tradfest 2022.

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, with additional support from The Scottish Government Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.

HECLA

“Crisp crystalline arrangements of Scottish traditional tunes segue thrillingly from one melody to the next.” – fRoots


Nominated as ‘Up & Coming Artist of the Year 2019’ at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards, Hecla is a band which has been gathering a grass roots following in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland since 2016. Their debut album The Scenic Route - due for release in 2022 - is a culmination of the musicians’ musical upbringings.

Growing up in Kincraig, Colonsay and Kirriemuir, respectively, Ilona Kennedy (fiddle), Caitlin McNeill (guitar/vocals) and Ailis Sutherland (pipes/flute/vocals) sew together a tapestry of melodies and lyrics echoing the places which have shaped their musical characters. The album, produced by Anna Massie (Blazin’ Fiddles, Mairearad & Anna) is an insightful reflection of life in Scotland in the present day with an inherent understanding of the thoughts and emotions of those who have gone before and their connection with the land. The trio takes its name from ‘Hecla’ one of the ‘Three Peaks of South Uist,’ a stunning hillscape and the backdrop to the band’s experience as students on the BA (Hons) Applied Music course at one of UHI’s idyllic Western Isles campuses. From village halls to major international festivals such as Cambridge, Celtic Connections and Lorient, Hecla guarantee a set list of repertoire firmly rooted in the Scottish tradition, showcasing the intricacies of piping, Highland fiddle playing and the unsung nuances of Colonsay Gaelic.

MADDERAM

"A really special concoction of classy and well-placed musicality" - Innes Watson



Madderam is a fresh, young folk band based in Central Scotland. Comprising of a mix of guitar, fiddles, whistle, clarsach and vocals, the band has built a totally unique sound while remaining true to each member’s individual roots and influences.

Although lockdown paused many of the band’s initial plans, they remained active and creative throughout the last few years. This includes performing for the Hands Up For Trad showcase, recording a session for the Stirling Tolbooth’s online Shindig video series as well as releasing their debut album, Ebb and Flow. The band have also been featured on Bruce Macgregor’s Travelling Folk programme on BBC Radio Scotland as well as being heavily played on Celtic Music Radio.

In the past Madderam have performed to sold out audiences at Glasgow’s Old Hairdressers venue and have developed diverse and continually surprising live shows. In 2021 the band were finalists at the Na Trad Awards in the ‘Best Up and Coming Artist’ category.

LAURA WILKIE & JOSEPH PEACH

Keyboard-player Joseph Peach(Westward the Light, Tannara) and fiddler Laura Wilkie(Kinnaris Quintet, Fat-Suit) both hail from Ross-shire and have a life long love and fascination with highland and Gaelic melodies as well as both arranging and composing original work. The pair both take influence and inspiration from the vast beauty of Ross-shire, hills, glens, Lochs and rugged coastlines. This concert will showcase traditional instrumental melodies and include their own compositions.