Take the finest exponents of their native Scottish fiddle styles, the finest backing in folk music, and some of the Highlands and Islands’ famed warmth and craic… distil for over 25 years, and you get Blazin’ Fiddles!


One of the most lauded and best-loved acts of the Scottish music scene, from the moment the multi award-winning Blazers take the stage to whisk you on a thrilling musical journey, you’re in the finest of company. The mastery of fiddle virtuosos, Jenna Reid (Shetland), Kristan Harvey (Orkney) and Rua Macmillan (Highlands), grounded by the second to none, driving accompaniment of Angus Lyon (piano) and Anna Massie (guitar), will leave you reeling.


For over a quarter of a century, no other band has quite captured Scottish fiddle music’s variety, energy and sensitivity like Blazin’ Fiddles. Atop many musical twists and turns, the group’s quicksilver playing is matched by lightning sharp humour and uproarious stories from their many tunes and travels, Whatever the hall - whether of the Royal Albert or highland village variety - they’ll turn it into the liveliest and warmest of hootenannies.

Traditional Folk Songs with guitar accompaniment

James Patrick Gavin, hailing from North London, is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist composer with musical and family roots running from Northern Ireland to the Basque Country. Steeped in traditional Irish music, his modern approach to guitar and fiddle is described as “magnificent in its irreverence” by Folk Radio UK. Working at the forefront of London's folk music scene, James can be found amongst the ranks with TEYR, The Rad Orchestra and Jez Hellard.

Watch out for his upcoming debut solo album “Chewing The Fat”. Scheduled for release in early 2018, the collection of originals and traditionals features guest musicians Tommie Black-Roff, Seamus Gavin, Jez Hellard, Dominic Henderson, J Eoin, Órlaith McAuliffe, Hugh O'Neill and Tad Sargent.

Contact: jpgavinmusic [at] gmail.com

Calming River is an alt-folk and ambient solo project, currently based near Brighton, UK. 

Experimental-folk debut album 'Dead Bluebottles Supine' was released in 2021, to a positive reception. Follow up instrumental record 'Macdui' was released in 2025, with airplay including BBC 6 Music.

BOOKINGS:
calmingrivermusic[at]gmail.com

Sarah's creative career is founded on years of collaboration and a deep passion for the environment, having grown up close to nature in the Yorkshire Dales, and fostering strong connections to the West Coast of Scotland. 

Throughout the past decade of working with other musicians, Sarah has gained a reputation for her unique cello playing and beautiful string arrangements, with an ear for vocal harmonies and  improvisation.

Her solo performances are imbued with visceral story-telling, bristling with atmosphere created with looped cello, haunting melodies and deeply felt lyrics. Audience members are left feeling transported and mesmerised,  with  sounds and rhythms that are never too far from the sea.

Currently  Sarah performs her solo show, 'Eyjar', inspired by a   musical journey over land and sea to Iceland by boat, via Orkney, Shetland and The Faroes. The journey was made alongside singer Sophie Ramsay, with whom she played concerts on each island. They travelled intentionally slowly, so that each island had time to make an impression, for the sounds of the birds and their local dialect names to sink in,  and for collaborations with local musicians to take place.  These experiences have culminated in a  show that explores human relationships with nature, climate change and sense of place through  music, poetry and spoken word,  stitched together by cello-driven sound-scapes.

Sarah's love of collaboration continues  with her work alongside environmental organisations, creating online content for their campaigns, such as Greenpeace and the Yorkshire Peat Partnership.

Andy Inns is following