Traditional music awards return to Dundee

The 21st edition of the awards, on Saturday, December 2, will truly be a coming of age as the event champions the evolution and successes of the scene over the last two decades.

The awards will welcome a show-stopping bill of talent to the stage over the course of the evening, with event-goers treated to performances from a who’s who of the Scottish traditional music scene.

Performances will come from legendary Skye folk-fusion group Peatbog Faeries, acclaimed Gaelic songstress Joy Dunlop and her band and Celtic party-starters Mànran.

Hot off the back of her Young Traditional Musician of the Year title, the Amy Laurenson Trio will also take to the Caird Hall stage, as well as the inimitable fiddle genius Duncan Chisholm.

Multi-award-winning Scottish folk singer, songwriter and storyteller Karine Polwart and pianist and composer Dave Milligan will also perform over the course of the evening, while the next generation will showcase their talents when SC&T Youth, an organisation providing exciting and inclusive Scottish traditional music opportunities for young people in the North East of Scotland, step up to play.

The evening will also include a tribute to the cherished radio host and advocate for traditional music, Robbie Shepherd who presented BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor for 35 years. Elsewhere, a house ceilidh band will get the evening’s party started.

There will be a total of 21 award categories, voting for which will open to the public in October.

Organiser Simon Thoumire, from Hands Up For Trad, said: “The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards is the single most important awards ceremony for musicians, fans and community organisations within the Scottish traditional music scene and it’s wonderful to be returning to Dundee for what is sure to be a very special night.

Tickets are on sale now at https://handsup.link/ScotsTradMusicAwards2023.