Music on Orkney?

Subject: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 12 - 07:14 PM

I'm off up to Orkney for the folk festival soon. Anyone got any pointers/contacts/ideas for music/song sessions/happenings on the islands?

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Effsee
Date: 05 May 12 - 10:26 PM

You gotta be kidding right? Just enjoy! Follow the sounds!

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 06 May 12 - 03:40 AM

From the festival site

Musicians/Instrument Makers

·    Where can I play in a session?

There are a number of sessions organised to take place in the pubs around Stromness. Details of these will be posted in the individual pubs throughout the weekend, as well as on the festival's notice board outside the Town House. Please take part in these informal tunes – it's what they're for! Artistes will normally have other commitments soon after their session slots, though, so although they may have to leave, feel free to carry the tunes on for as long as you wish.

Stromness has a fantastic atmosphere over the festival weekend, and Orkney's licensing laws permit the consumption of alcohol outdoors…therefore if the weather permits, sessions often occur at random outside the Flattie Bar (Stromness Hotel), or Ferry Inn.


·    I am a musician and will be in Orkney for the festival, is there any way that I can perform at any of the events?
   
Other than the Song Clubs, all of the festival's ticketed events will only feature programme-billed artistes. At the Song Club the stage will be offered to floor singers, however this is the only such event at our festival.

We do, however, operate an Open Stage competition for musicians and singers on the Saturday afternoon. Due to a tight schedule, however, entry is not guaranteed and must be applied for before the event itself. More information on this will be posted around March/April.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:58 AM

Ooops, I wasn't very clear here! I should've said that I'm up there for 3 weeks (including the FF which is just 3 days)...

I meant - any regular music happenings etc OUTSIDE the folk festival time!

Sorry!

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 06 May 12 - 08:05 AM

:) we do actually have music outwith the festival but i have been out of the loop for a while best thing is to hit the ferry inn and ask around.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: alex s
Date: 06 May 12 - 08:33 AM

Years ago I went to an Orkney Pipe and Fiddle session. Glum doesn't begin to describe it...
Times have (thankfully) changed.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 06 May 12 - 11:02 AM

Ohhh, I really wasn't with it last night! OP is me, of course... sorry.

Thanks Megan. :)

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,NoSoond
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:47 PM

You might want to check out this place.

http://www.wrigleyandthereel.com/index.html

Being from Orkney, I don't go there as often as I should but when I do it's great. What dates are you in Orkney between? My band and this other band often get together for an informal session, we're always up for a tune!

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 May 12 - 04:49 AM

You'll find me at the Ferry Inn mostly. When I'm not at the Flattie, or sleeping things off.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 07 May 12 - 06:02 AM

It's alright John I have made sure to arange for the local pipe band to practice ootside yer room every morning

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 May 12 - 06:11 AM

Yer a pal

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 07 May 12 - 12:39 PM

Sue If ye get tae the Ferry Inn and find that decrepit auld wreck ooops sorry typo there distinguished gentleman john MacKenzie you might just spot another catter nearbye if I am not hauling my brother around the historic sites.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 07 May 12 - 07:14 PM

The line up this year is fantastic with "KAN" amongst the best. Login's Well superb, many, many more and chance of some good sessions in The Royal and the Ferry Inn.Upstairs in the Stromness Hotel you can find a good session. I don't think there is a session at the reel on FF weekend but normally every Saturday. If you can get to some of the other islands (depending on where and how you are stopping) there are other things happening. Try Hoy. There is never a session in St Margaret's Hope but a Thursday concert in the Cromaty Hall AT FF time. You must visit the outer islands. It's cold so you need decent clothing (Thick hail turned to ice and snow in the Hope this morning.) There is a sort of session (Open mike, skilled musicians) on some Friday nights but you need to check when. Shame you are a guest and not a member. I'll tell you now, most of the best concerts are sold out already.

I've lived here six years. I played sessions all over the place down South, was in a popular working ceiledh band with several other mudcatters. Played with loads of people. I've been to many gatherings but here I can only praise the Wrigley sisters for their openess and welcoming attitude (And huge level of skill and quality of performance) I include Bruce in this. But even though I met quite a few musicians, never got to play with many.(You can get glared at) Orkney is one of the most beautiful places you will ever go with some of the best people you could ever hope to meet but many of the musicians are a closed book if you are not Orcadian.

I'll say this...If you get chance to listen to the developing young musicians such as Jack Kirkpatrick etc, you will be blown away. Have fun. I won't be going.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 08 May 12 - 04:52 AM

I should be there on the Sunday. I always found the Ferry Inn to be best for sessions at the festival.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,Cath
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:18 AM

No big names on Hoy again this year that I can spot.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,NoSoond
Date: 09 May 12 - 06:35 PM

Jack Kirkpatrick plays in my band, for his age he is really impressive, he gets a great tone out of just about any guitar he plays! There are a load of young musicians out there that are impressive, which has always been the case I guess, but it's great fun playing with them. You can catch us playing with The Chair at the Saturday night Stomp on the 2nd of June. Just thought I'd use that opportunity as a shameless plug.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 10 May 12 - 03:29 AM

No soond are a great young local band

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 12 - 05:43 PM

NoSoond - thanks for link. I'm in Orkney between 21 May and 8 June. Thanks re the session - would take you up, but I'm a singer not a player, and most sessions are instrumental... Any song sessions about?

Megan - I'll watch out for you! :)

Eric - I'm staying on Hoy for a few days - anything happening there? I've already booked for that Thurs concert. Where is the session you mention on Friday nights? What do you mean - guest, not a member - of what? I've already booked my concerts for the FF weekend.

As mentioned, I'm a singer, so particularly interested in song sessions, but also happy just to listen to the fiddles with a pint. :)

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 11 May 12 - 01:27 PM

Flippin 'eck, why does my cookie keep losing itself? last post was me again.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 12 May 12 - 05:18 PM

Hi. I meant mudcat member, nothing else.(But you are a member anyway) Don't know what's happening on Hoy but Gable end theatre has just been done up very nicely. Finding a song session, I can't help you with that I'm afraid. The Friday sessions are in Stromness once a month but I don't know when the next one is. Harray also has a session.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 14 May 12 - 04:36 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,Jane Bird (without cookie)
Date: 14 May 12 - 04:54 PM

I can heartily recommend the Saturday night session at The Reel in Kirkwall. Fantastic music and very welcoming, too! Last summer there was a series of summer concerts at The Reel. I was told that there's a Sunday night session at The Bothie, as well, although we didn't get along to that one, as the previous night at The Reel had been quite late. Have a lovely break in Orkney!

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 14 May 12 - 05:53 PM

Thanks Jane! (and all others)

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: GUEST,Cath
Date: 15 May 12 - 07:30 AM

Any sessions on Hoy tend to be ad hoc and at the Stroma Bank Hotel. As far as I'm aware nothing is happening but might be in a better position to say after Sunday. The concert planned for the festival is at the north of the island at Hoy Kirk as far as I know.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 20 May 12 - 04:34 PM

Any more news on Hoy sessions? will be there tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 27 May 12 - 08:14 PM

Well, the only song I found on Hoy was birdsong (lashings of), and very lovely it was too. Oh,and the local choir workshop I attended, which was fun. :) Ah well, now in Stromness, and the folk festival looms...

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 01:17 PM

Posted this on another thread but it really belongs here I think.

Well Orkney Folk Festival was a blast as usual. Went to see Edi Reader on the Friday night, wonderful show. Had a session or two Saturday.
Met up with Hamish Bayne on Saturday evening, and we had a great sassion in his house. Sunday was quieter for me, as I may have been feeling a tad delicate, but we went out for a lovely meal in the Merkister Hotel in the evening, most enjoyable.
Thanks to all involved, and a special thanks to my wonderful hostess MeganL.
Cheers lassie!


Never met a Suegorgeous, as far as I know though.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 02:31 PM

Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend except for one act if i find the person who thought amplyfying bagpipes in a tiny village hall was a good idea I will swiftly disabuse him of the notion.

As for the company I keep My big brother and John Mackenzie in one house I must have been really bad sometime. Still I survived you were very welcome John

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Megan L
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 02:20 PM

Sue I didnt meet up with you but if you were in "cafe bar" at any time you probably caught sight of me sitting beside the coffee machine. Hope you had a great time.

Subject: RE: Music on Orkney?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 08:28 PM

Belated response, only just remembered this thread... yes, I had a really wonderful time in Orkney, and totally fell in love with Rackwick - my heart's still there. Found very little live music outside the folk festival (where I enjoyed some great concerts).

Enjoyed coffee and wifi at The Reel. Hoping to come back next year, only for the Magnus Festival.