Drever, McCusker & Woomble top the bill of folk talent from north of the border

Sidmouth Herald: John McCusker performed with his band at the Ham Marquee in 2017. Photo: Paul Strange.John McCusker performed with his band at the Ham Marquee in 2017. Photo: Paul Strange. (Image: Archant)

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives and works there.

Funding from Creative Scotland enables FolkWeek to bring some of Scotland’s most exciting musical talent to Sidmouth for its Sounds Of Modern Scotland series of events.

Over the week, the festival features a genuine Scottish supergroup in Drever, McCusker and Woomble, the irresistible force that is Elephant Sessions and returning FolkWeek favourites Saltfishforty, alongside a veritable plethora of exciting and emerging talent from north of the border.

Headlining Monday’s Ham Marquee concert, Drever, McCusker and Woomble celebrate a decade since the release of Before The Ruin, the collaborative album featuring a collection of much-loved songs.

They are three of Scotland’s best current writers and performers who can list Lau, Mark Knopfler, Billy Connolly and Idlewild amongst their musical accomplices.

Support comes from BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winners Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente and the energising Feis Rois Ceilidh Trail.

The Bulverton is the festival’s roots dance hub, and the marquee will be reeling on Sunday night as Saltfishforty get the Caledonian party started before headliners Elephant Sessions.

Look out for the unmissable Sounds Of Modern Scotland showcase concert at the Manor Pavilion with Kinnaris Quintet, Hector Riddell, Ryan Young with Jenn Butterworth and Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente on Tuesday evening and Kinnaris Quintet and Ryan Young with Jenn Butterworth in the Bedford Hotel during the afternoon.