The 47th Marymass Folk Festival: Concerts, community events and sessions are the key elements of Marymass Folk Festival and this successful formula is why 2014 is the 47th anniversary of this Irvine event – thought to be the longest running Folk Festival in the country.
The five day Festival kicks off on Wednesday 20th August and runs through until Sunday 24th August. Twenty events make up the packed programme of which only six have an admission charge – yes, that means the rest are free! The valued support of sponsors like Irvine Probus who put their name against the Senior Citizens Concert on Thursday 15th in the Volunteer Rooms and also the Schools programme is very much appreciated.
Undoubtedly, it’s the world-renowned Battlefield Band topping the bill at the Marymass Saturday Night Concert in the Volunteer Rooms on the 23rd that will catch the eye of most people. The four-piece band – two Scotsmen, an Irishman and an American – play raucous instrumentals, plaintive ballads with the intuitive understanding of the world class musicians that they are. Battlefield, they take their name from the area in Glasgow, has undergone many line-up evolutions in their long history, and although having played in Irvine a number of times, this will be the first time for this particular line-up.
Leading up to the Battlefield, there are two concerts in Vineburgh Communuity Centre – a really good and intimate setting enjoyed by musicians and audiences alike. A Scots Chorus with Muldoon’s Picnic & Mick West top the bill on Thursday 21st. Inspired by the singing of acapella group Muldoon’s Picnic, A Scots Chorus was formed in 2012. Essentially it’s a group of people singing the most interesting and representative Scots chorus songs so that more people can join in singing a good Scots chorus. Simples! The marvellous and distinctive voice of Glaswegian Mick West is of course another attraction.
Infectious, feel-good music is guaranteed on Friday 22nd when Canadian roots band My Sweet Patootie headlines at Vineburgh. Three world class musicians, super vocal harmonies and great entertainers – that’s what makes MSP so very good. Terry Young & Sandra Swannell were members of the mighty Tanglefoot and they have been joined by Percussionist Bradford Novak. They play an invigorating blend of music culled from Country, Blues, Folk, Vaudeville, Swing and Hot Club Jazz. For information, a term of endearment is one of the explanations of the name My Sweet Patootie!
Three great concerts at Marymass Folk Festival are on the cards. Tickets for them are available now from Joyce on 01294 551047 or email JoyceIFC@aol.com. All Folk Festival info can be had from Joyce as before or visit www.irvinefolkclub.trad.org.uk or pick up a leaflet.
For more information on the Marymass Town Festival. The Marymass Festival goes back many many years, the Marymass Folk Festival is a relative youngster but has now been part of Marymass for almost 50 years. www.marymass.com