Paul McKenna Band with Erlend Viken and Frankie Archer

Fronted by one of Scotland’s most eloquently expressive vocalists and songwriters, the Paul McKenna Band forge a dynamic alloy of Scottish and Irish traditional roots with contemporary acoustic pop. Over their 15-year career, McKenna’s arresting original compositions have come increasingly to the fore – as heard on their latest album, 2019’s Breathe –powerfully and imaginatively backed by Robbie Greig (fiddle), Conal McDonagh (pipes/whistles), Conor Markey (banjo/bouzouki/guitars) and Ewan Baird (percussion).

The talented Erlend Viken trio, featuring a captivating blend of Hardanger fiddle, electric guitar, and double bass, presents a unique fusion of folk-jazz that promises a listening experience like no other. Their music is firmly rooted in Norwegian traditional music, yet infused with elements of improvisational music, desert blues, and rock.

Frankie Archer’s imaginative and bold mash of electro alt-trad shows her Northumbrian fiddle roots, her deep love of electronic music and her immersion in soulful folk songs from the North East of England and around the world. Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2) described her music as “Fascinating and Intoxicating”.