LEAH SEATOR rounds up the action at the damp but delightful Orkney Folk Festival.

THE WEATHER turned sour for the 23rd annual Orkney Folk Festival last weekend, but there was no way a bit of rain would put a damper on things. The craic was 90 as they say in Ireland, and while it was nearly impossible to see every single performer on the action packed programme, I tried my very best!

The festival, based mainly in Stromness, was a huge success, boasting acts such as The McCalmans, Fine Friday and a surprise collaboration between Duncan Chisholm and Phil Cunningham – as star studded as it gets on the Scottish folk scene.

Stromness itself is the perfect location for such a festival. A real slice of Scottish heritage, the winding cobbled streets make a perfect path for jigging from one event to the next. The pubs were lively with sessions day and night -– a perfect opportunity for both local and visiting musicians to join in.

The actual ticketed events, featuring the likes of the Peatbog Faeries, Duncan and Phil and the McCalmans were all sold out well in advance and getting in with a press pass was a fantastic privilege.

The first stomp of the festival was held in Fusion on Friday night, with the Peatbog Faeries, from Skye, as the main act. Supported by local band Lazy Boy Chair, the event got off to a great start.

When I arrived in Fusion, there was a full Strip the Willow in progress, and it was clear that this event would be a hit. Lazy Boy Chair were fantastic, and could easily have passed for the main act. They enjoyed a bit of banter with the audience, and jigged their way through an impressive set of great toe-tapping tunes.

---

The festival went out with a bang, as most of the visiting acts gathered on stage for an unforgettable session.

---

Then came the main act, the Peatbog Faeries, a band made up of pipes, whistles, fiddle, percussion and keyboards, bass and guitar. They had a big sound, and kept the audience bouncing all night. The sound system in nightclub Fusion was certainly performing, and the band showcased dozens of tunes with a Celtic rock flavour. The venue was great, the atmosphere superb, and the band were on form. They were a great band to listen to, showing off some good musicianship, and the crowd wanted more at the end.

“This is our first time in Orkney, and it’s a disgrace really, since we’re only about three hours away,” they told the audience. They went on to entertain an equally enthusiastic crowd at the second stomp in Stromness Academy on Saturday night, supported by the Silver Penguins.

Peter Morrisson of the band told me: “We had a great time in Orkney despite the weather. We found the locals very friendly and totally up for the party. We even took time out to do some stone-seeing. It was great to get the opportunity to play up there and we hope to be back soon.”

The session continued all day Saturday, and music workshops were held in the afternoon with Patsy Reid from Breabach, Kris Drever from Fine Friday, and Colin Dewar from the Colin Dewar Dance Band.

The smaller islands got their fair share of entertainment over the weekend, as Phil and Duncan headed to Sanday on the Friday night, and Bolivian band Katari, Danish duo Haugaard and Hoirup, and local band Shoot the Piper made their way to Hoy.

On Sunday, the main event was the Farewell concert in the Stromness Town Hall, regarded by many as the best venue in the town for its amazing acoustics. The festival went out with a bang, as most of the visiting acts gathered on stage for an unforgettable session.

With so many acts appearing, the concert would not be a quick affair, and some were wise to bring a cushion to make the evening a more comfortable experience. Others, like myself, were left with a sore behind, but I reckon it was probably worth it.

The concert was compered by teacher, singer and musician Bob Sharp, who also led the performers at the festival club, fiddlers rally and other events. Festival chairman Johnny Mowat said a few words to the audience, who were still in fine fettle, following a mad weekend of wine and song.

“It’s good to see a full house here tonight. It seems that we have practically sold out all of the concerts that are being held this year, apart from the Singers’ Showcase for which there were tickets left,” he said. “Thanks to all the sponsors that supported the festival, from Orkney Island’s Council, right down to the patrons who bought tickets early. Thanks also to all the volunteers, and the ticket office staff – ticket sales have exceeded last year’s, and also to the raffle people.”

The concert kicked off with Breabach from Glasgow. Having also appeared at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards in Edinburgh last year, I had seen them before, and thoroughly enjoyed their set, particularly as one of the members, a young piper, launched into an Irish Dance which got the audience clapping.

They were followed by Roarin’ Forties, who sang four songs acappella (unaccompanied), based on the sea. Then came Sphagnum Moss from Fort William. I had seen this trio at a hilarious gig at the Festival Club on Saturday morning. The word was that none of them had been to bed the night before, and bolshy guitarist Sandra MacBeath, full of Dutch courage, gave audience members a row as they left to answer the call of nature, shouting: “That’s so rude! I’m singing a song and you’re leaving!”

As they came off stage, one poor unsuspecting man got a rude awakening having nodded off during the set. He received a hard slap in the face from Sandra, but only roused slightly before continuing to sleep. Sandra is a beautiful singer, but her co-musicians, Ally MacKenzie and Colin Melville, still managed to shine past this girl’s big personality.

At the farewell concert, she was quieter, but they played an excellent set. They were followed by two of the scene’s biggest names, Phil Cunningham and Duncan Chisholm. This was a surprising combination for some, as Phil is known usually to appear with Aly Bain. Aly couldn’t make it this year, but the new duo put on a great show.

They were joined on stage by Kris Drever, from Fine Friday, on guitar. It was an interesting trio, as Duncan is used to playing with Kris’s dad, Ivan. What followed were mini renditions of the theme song from Indiana Jones, and some Beatles tunes – all part of the banter.

After this set of tunes, Phil was presented with “the order of the boot” by Billy Jolly. The tongue-in-cheek award was a modest trainer on a shiny wooden platter – a bit of a dig from Aly, who according to Billy had “had his Phil”.

---

The floor was bouncing, and everyone was singing their hearts out.

---

Fine Friday took to the stage next. They are one of Edinburgh’s hottest acts, and played a fiery set of tunes, and a song, Caledonia, sung by Kris. This quirky trio were one of the most exciting acts featured in the festival, and didn’t fail to please again on Sunday night. Kris admitted that he had enjoyed being home.

“We’ve had a really good time. We got sent to Sanday on Friday night and I have nearly recovered. I’m a bit sad that this is the last gig. We’ll just stay here and keep playing gigs,” he joked. Flautist Nuala Kennedy added: “It’s been a real treat for us to come up to Kris’s homeland. It’s nice to be up here and play with some of the local musicians.”

The last band of the set, Daimh, were as special as those before. The banjo player donned a nun’s outfit, which amused the audience. Everyone clapped along to their set before having a small break. After the break, Beneche, from Glasgow, opened, and their set included ‘Shiver Me Timbers’ by Tom Waits, and some lively jigs and reels.

Then came the McCalmans, who never fail to please, and with space for only two songs, they still hit the spot. ‘The Women of Dundee’ was their first song, and the impeccable harmonies and mimicking of the sounds of a Dundee factory through percussion were a real treat. They finished with ‘Wrecked Again’, which got the audience singing along.

Next came Katari, from Bolivia, marching on to the stage in colourful ponchos playing drums and pan-pipes. They were great to watch, providing a total contrast to anything else that was played over the festival. Regis Lechatellier is a Breton accordion player now living in Scotland, and he was also great to watch. He is a beautiful player, and performed compelling tunes which added an extra spice to the programme.

Tarneybackle, from Perthshire, were next up, and played a set including ‘Come by the Hills’, and audience members joined in enthusiastically. Then came the last act of the night, Craobh Rua, all the way from Ireland, and they were superb. Young Orkney fiddler Jeana Leslie had requested that singer/guitarist Jim Rainey perform the song ‘The Shore ‘neath the Tide’, and so he did, with real elegance. Again the crowd joined in, and it was a special moment.

Then all of those musicians who hadn’t been shipped over to Stromness Academy for the other Farewell Concert got back on the stage, and did an unrehearsed, lively version of ‘The Wild Mountain Thyme’. The floor was bouncing, and everyone was singing their hearts out.

It was a perfect night, and the end of a perfect festival.

© Leah Seator, 2005