Linlithgow Folk Festival
Encyclopedia
Linlithgow Folk Festival is an annual folk music
festival held in Linlithgow
, West Lothian
, Scotland
.
The first festival was held in 1999 as part of a renaissance of interest in folk music within West Lothian. Normally held on the second full weekend of September, it follows the pattern set by a number of smaller folk festivals in Scotland - a combination of sessions in local pubs and bars, and organised musical events. These include paying and free concerts, workshops, and an increasing number of events in interesting local venues (at the town's canal basin and on canal boats, in the local museum, local churches and sometimes in Linlithgow Palace).
The Festival Association also arranges other events; it has been successful in bringing big names to the town in recent years, including Tom Paxton
, Eric Bogle
and Ralph McTell
.
The Linlithgow Folk Festival Association has been involved in the resurgence of interest in the renowned Glaswegian songwriter and performer Matt McGinn
, and puts on an annual 'Matt McGinn night' at the beginning of March.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
festival held in Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
, West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The first festival was held in 1999 as part of a renaissance of interest in folk music within West Lothian. Normally held on the second full weekend of September, it follows the pattern set by a number of smaller folk festivals in Scotland - a combination of sessions in local pubs and bars, and organised musical events. These include paying and free concerts, workshops, and an increasing number of events in interesting local venues (at the town's canal basin and on canal boats, in the local museum, local churches and sometimes in Linlithgow Palace).
The Festival Association also arranges other events; it has been successful in bringing big names to the town in recent years, including Tom Paxton
Tom Paxton
Thomas Richard Paxton is an American folk singer and singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for over forty years...
, Eric Bogle
Eric Bogle
Eric Bogle is a folk singer-songwriter. He emigrated to Australia in 1969 and currently resides near Adelaide, South Australia.-Career:...
and Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell
Ralph McTell is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s....
.
The Linlithgow Folk Festival Association has been involved in the resurgence of interest in the renowned Glaswegian songwriter and performer Matt McGinn
Matt McGinn
Matt McGinn was a Scottish folk singer-songwriter and poet.Matthew McGinn was born in Ross Street at the corner of the Gallowgate in Calton, Glasgow in 1928, one of a family of nine. At the age of 12 he was sent to an approved school for two years...
, and puts on an annual 'Matt McGinn night' at the beginning of March.
External links
- Linlithgow Folk Festival Association official site