The Solas Festival programme is a beautiful work in progress developed over many months. We put together an entertaining and varied line-up which touches on arts, faith and justice, and we’re delighted to be welcoming some new guests to the festival next year and a handful of well-loved favourites.
Confirmed so far are singer and songwriter Karine Polwart, poet and writer Liz Lochhead, award-winning dancer and choreographer Margie Gillis, award-winning writers Louise Welsh and Janet Paisley, and the much-lauded band Breabach.
The wonderful Waste of Paint theatre company will also be treating us to performances for all ages and family workshops.
This year, in addition to a range of ethically-sourced and local food, we’re featuring a new ‘Scottish Larder’ venue where you’ll hear some new ideas on food sustainability and equality – look out for announcements about these new sessions soon.
There’s a host of opportunities to get involved and do something creative, through workshops with artists and performers during the festival, or by getting inspired by something you’ve seen or heard. We also have special programmes for children and young people, including music, making things, and dance.
Whether you like to lay back and listen, dance like no-one’s watching, or sing your heart out, we’ll have something for you – whatever your age. From gospel singing to some of the freshest new talent, Solas is a rich mix of musical textures.
Scottish singer-songwriter Iain Morrison will be performing his new album “To the Horizon, Sir”, which is released on 5 November, and if you missed the heartbreakingly beautiful set by Siobhan Wilson last year, don’t despair: we’ve invited her back!
Solas is keen to nurture new talent -this year, Paddy Callaghan, the winner of BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year, will be performing a special set.
At Solas, we don’t believe in keeping head and heart separate so there’s plenty in Head Space to get you thinking, talking, and maybe even acting on. Linda Woodhead, Andy Wightman and Ian Mobsby join us this year, and there are panel discussions on hot topics including Scottish Independence and criminal justice. And in Soul Space, there’s reflective quiet, worship and space to let your soul breathe.
That’s just the start…look out for updates as artists and performers are confirmed.