Danish duo complete folk festival line-up

Plans for the Shetland Folk Festival are close to finalised with the organising committee this week announcing a final travelling act for the lineup.

Danish act Fromseier Hockings will complete the lineup of travelling artistes. They are a husband and wife duo well known in their native Denmark for their lively Danish roots music.

The two-piece is composed of Ditte Fromseier – recently been awarded musician/singer of the year at the Danish Folk Music Awards – on fiddle and vocals, and Sigurd Hockings on guitar.

They play swing-tinged traditional tunes with influences from international music styles ranging from Swedish and Irish to English and American.

The wide selection of local bands who will be performing at the 36th installment of the event have also been confirmed.
Among the local acts there are familiar names such a Kansa, Vair and Haltadans as well a specially formed “Shetland Super-group”.

This one-off act featuring a number of well-known local musicians will be performing at a standing “Scots on Da Rock” gig in the Clickimin alongside Scottish bands Talisk, Elephant Sessions and Manran – the latter only appearing at the festival for this event.

An adults with children only event called the “Peerie Spang” will also be held at Mareel on Sunday afternoon. This afternoon session will feature The East Pointers and Elephant Sessions. Further afternoon concerts will also be held on Friday and Saturday following their popularity last year.

Venues for this year’s festival will include, as always, the festival clubhouse in Islesburgh. Clickimin, Mareel and the Shetland Hotel round off the list of Lerwick venues.

The local community halls hosting concerts this year are Cunningsburgh, Sandwick (Carnegie Hall), Tingwall, Whiteness & Weisdale, Walls, Voe, Sullom, Burravoe and Baltasound.

• Early memberships are available at www.shetlandfolkfestival.com until Monday.