Well here we are, exactly 1 month on from where #EdinTradfest25 started and what a joy it's been! 🙏 This year's shenanigans featured:

👏 3171 happy punters
🎶 111 musicians
👶 40 toddlers
🎻 24 concerts
⭐ 7 x 5 star reviews
🎓 4 workshops
🌳 3 pop-up gigs
🎼 3 generations of pipers
💛 1 brilliant festival

Well, that's *almost* a wrap on #EdinTradfest25 - we're just putting the finishing touches on our round-up video and reporting, but wanted to celebrate that 2025 saw more audience members than ever before at @traversetheatre.bsky.social (up 15% on 2024), hosting 111 musicians over the Festival. 💛

Tradfest 2025: Miwa Nagato-Apthorp, Parsisonic, Dlù Review ★★★★ The ETF Spotlight concert is always something I consider a ‘can’t miss’ event at each year’s Edinburgh Tradfest. This year proved no exception with the three-act strong line-up of singer-songwriter Miwa Nagato-Apthorp from Hawick, Ex-pat Iranian supergroup Parsisonic, and rising stars of the indie/fusion trad scene, Dlù. Miwa Nagato-Apthorp: Contemporary Ballads Rooted in Place Opening proceedings, Nagato-Apthorp quickly established a winning rapport with the audience - a skill often undervalued in the digital age.

From haunting ballads to genre-blending folk fusion, ETF Spotlight at Tradfest 2025 showcased Miwa Nagato-Apthorp, Parsisonic, and Dlù. A concert full of fresh talent!

#EdinTradfest #EdinTradfest25 #MiwaNagatoApthorp #Parsisonic #Dlù #Review

2 minutes from an extraordinary performance from Pelkkä Poutanen yesterday evening. What a treat for the audiences that joined us. "...it’s enticing, haunting, mesmerising, spiritual and hypnotic.” - Songlines

Find out more about her music: www.petrapoutanen.com #MusicSky #EdinTradfest25

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Hartwin Trio at #EdinTradfest25!

"From the epic melodies of opening number ‘In the Mountains’ to the sweet ‘Eagle Feather,’ buoyed along on Escartin’s plucked notes, this is music to set adventures to, be it an elegant indie film or a Studio Ghibli fable..."

📖 theqr.co.uk/2025/05/06/h...

A short clip for you lovely #MusicSky folks, The Traveling Janes from last night in @traversetheatre.bsky.social 2. 🧼♪ Thanks to the Janes and the Hot Seats the night before we were blessed with two washboards in 24 hours!!

Still loads coming up at #EdinTradfest25: edinburghtradfest.com/schedule

Hartwin Trio’s Cinematic European Folk Shines at Tradfest 2025 ★★★★★ The Hartwin Trio, led by acclaimed Belgian accordionist Hartwin Dhoore, offer a distinctive European folk sound shaped by cross-border influences. Rooted in Flemish tradition but drawing inspiration from Hartwin’s years living and touring in the Baltic region, the trio’s music is marked by a lyrical, cinematic quality. This iteration of the Hartwin Trio (not the same line-up as responsible for Hartwin’s 2021 album…

From epic melodies to soul-searching tunes, the Hartwin Trio’s performance at Tradfest 2025 delivers a modern take on European folk music, rich in melody and virtuosity.

#HartwinTrio #EuropeanFolk #EdinTradfest25 #FolkMusic #NeoClassical #WhatsonEdinburgh

Leveret at Edinburgh Tradfest 2025: Folk, Spontaneity & Charm ★★★★ Leveret, consisting of well-regarded English folk trio made up of Andy Cutting (melodeon), Rob Harbron (concertina), and Sam Sweeney (fiddle), are each respected musicians in their own right. Known for their subtle, highly skilled instrumental interplay, they focus on traditional English tunes, often digging into obscure or overlooked material, as well as original compositions. What sets Leveret apart is an emphasis on spontaneity: their live sets are famously unplanned, with no setlist, relying instead on the musicians’ deep trust and musical intuition.

Leveret’s folk magic at Edinburgh Tradfest 2025: A spontaneous, crowd-pleasing performance blending traditional tunes and original compositions.

#Leveret #EdinTradfest25 #FolkMusic #LiveFolk #EdinTradfest #WhatsonEdinburgh

Musical youth! 🎶 If you're under 26 and visiting #EdinTradfest25 you can bag £9 tickets for shows at @traversetheatre.bsky.social if there's still tickets available! Just note that this offer only applies when booking on the day of the gig, in-person at box office.

🗓️ edinburghtradfest.com/schedule

Bellfield releases a well-tuned lager for Edinburgh Tradfest - DRAM Scotland Bellfield Brewery and Edinburgh Tradfest have got together to brew a beer to mark the start of the festival on 2 May. Called 2025 Edinburgh Tradfest, the classic Czech pilsner lager will be available on draft in the Traverse Bar and various other venues across Edinburgh during the 11 days of the music festival.

Thanks to the good folks at DRAM for sharing our #EdinTradfest25 Lager! 🍻 'The classic Czech pilsner lager will be available on draft in the Traverse Bar and various other venues across Edinburgh during the 11 days of the music festival.' CHEERS! 📰 Read in full: dramscotland.co.uk/2025/04/30/b...

What an exquisite way to start #EdinTradfest25 💛 Enormous thanks to Ross Ainslie & the Sanctuary Band, plus special guest Terra Kin, for lighting up Queens Hall tonight with such gorgeous music, which from start to finish was a total treat.

Browse the full programme: edinburghtradfest.com/schedule

Edinburgh Tradfest Fiery and energetic piping from one of Scotland’s finest

At the cutting edge of piping & composing for 20+ years, Finlay MacDonald has gained an international reputation as a leader in this field, bringing a stellar band to #EdinTradfest25: piper Ailis Sutherland, guitarist/piper Ali Hutton & drummer Paul Jennings. 🤩

edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Edinburgh Tradfest Beguiling family-friendly folk singing

New for #EdinTradfest25: a very special gig for all ages, from new babies upwards! 👶🎶 Award-winning Scottish folk singer Claire Hastings presents a varied repertoire, accompanied by Adam Sutherland (fiddle) & Ali Hutton (guitar). #MusicSky Sat 10 May, 3PM. Book: edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Edinburgh Tradfest Super special gig from one of Scotland’s national treasures

Kathleen Macinnes, a predominantly Gaelic singer revered by her peers & loved by audiences, joins us at #EdinTradfest25 on Friday 9 May 🎶 “A voice like peat smoke and good whisky, as robust, sassy and soulful as it is supple and expressive” – @theguardian.com

🎫 edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Edinburgh Tradfest Workshops for this year's Edinburgh Tradfest 3-13 May 2024

WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES at #EdinTradfest25! ✨

Sat 3 May 🎶 Singing workshop with Chandra Mather
Sun 4 May 🎻 Fiddle workshop with Lauren MacColl
Sat 10 May 🎼 Tune writing workshop with Adam Sutherland
Sun 11 May 🎵 Pibroch masterclass with Allan MacDonald

More info: edinburghtradfest.com/workshops

Edinburgh Tradfest A spellbinding explosion of Americana

Mark Tuesday 6 May (8:15PM) in your diaries - because The Hot Seats are en route to #EdinTradfest25 🔥

“You can search far and wide and you will not find anyone playing old-time music with this level of sincerity and drive." - Six Water Grog

Go get booked! 🎫 edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

'If traditional music is your bag, then the mighty Tradfest (2-12 May) returns to the capital with a packed lineup.'

Now only a few weeks to go! Thanks @theskinnymag.bsky.social! 🙌

#MusicSky #Festival #EdinTradfest25

Edinburgh Tradfest 25 Playlist · jane-ann · 27 items · 10 saves

The sun is shining in a *literal* beautiful blue sky and nothing whatsoever beats a bit of vitamin D and some brilliant tunes. If you fancy an audio smorgasbord of #EdinTradfest25 teasers, we're happy to oblige! 🌞 🎶 Listen: spoti.fi/43DLV2P #MusicSky #EdinTradfest25 #FestivlSky #Music

ONLY 1 MONTH TO GO! 🎉🤩 #EdinTradfest25 will return next month, with a packed schedule of traditional music, storytelling, film, workshops, talks, ceilidhs and special events at venues across the city. Will you be joining us? What are you most excited to see?

🎟️ Browse & book: edinburghtradfest.com

Edinburgh Tradfest Simple and melancholic melodies from Belgium and beyond

Hartwin Trio 🎶 At #EdinTradfest25 on Sun 4 May, 6:30PM! Simple & melancholic melodies from Belgium & beyond. “The music effortlessly transports the listener, making it a treat to return to... A refreshing, exceptional collaboration.” – @klofmag.bsky.social Book: edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Edinburgh Tradfest A glimmering set of instrumentals from three of England’s finest musicians

Also joining us at #EdinTradfest25 on Saturday 3 May - @leveretband.bsky.social! ✨ A unique collaboration between three exquisite #folk musicians: Andy Cutting, Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron.

“Music of a rich, sinewy immersion...” – @theguardian.com

🎫 Tickets: edinburghtradfest.com/schedule/202...

Divergence (@divergence-project.bsky.social) will join us at #EdinTradfest25 on Saturday 3 May, from 6:30PM in @traversetheatre.bsky.social 2. Here's a clip of 'Owlets' from a recent performance at Vogrie Pogrie #Festival. 😍 Watch: youtu.be/wudwGPppo9w

Opening #EdinTradfest25 at @thequeenshall.bsky.social on Friday 2 May... Scotland’s most sought-after piper/composer Ross Ainslie! He’ll be performing with the Sanctuary Band (an incredibly talented line-up of musicians) plus special guest: Terra Kin. 🎟️ Tickets: www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/ros...

Thanks so much for the shout-out @lothianlife.bsky.social 🙏 #EdinTradfest25

🎉 We are delighted to announce FULL details of the #EdinTradfest25 programme, with traditional music, storytelling, film, workshops, talks, ceilidhs, and special events taking place at various venues across the city! 🎉 Learn more: edinburghtradfest.com

#MusicSky #MusicianSky #FestivalSky #Scotland