Two minute catch up 5/2/21

A weekly two minute catch-up for members from the
TMF Director's desk
These are some of the things that have caught my attention this week.


Last year, with most of the preparations in place or under way, festivals were hanging on and hanging on to see whether it was feasible for their events to go ahead. This year it's early notice of cancellations with people taking no chances, and a steady stream of announcements that it will be 2022 before festivals are back in a recognisable form, and even then with all kinds of 'mitigations'. Celtic Connections did really well (27,000 tickets sold!), but its urban festival model is quite different from most other Scottish folk festivals, which take place in small towns or villages, across island groups, or on dedicated festival sites like Tiree and Hebcelt. At the heart of these is a deep sense of place which is almost impossible to replicate virtually. The immediate task is to ensure that our festivals are sustainable into next year.



Fèis Rois has just started issuing a newsletter, which will mak your heid dirl at the range of activities and projects they are responsible for. Well worth inviting into your inbox if you haven't already. Sign up here Meantime, the Youth Arts Small Grants Fund they administer is still open to folk and traditional musicians from across Scotland who can devise and deliver projects with young people, particularly those most affected by Covid-19.



I've come late to the work of Neil Gunn, but intend to remedy that after reading his novel 'The Drinking Well' this week. Writing about music in fiction is one of the hardest things, but traditional music and song and what it means to people sit right at the heart of the book. Gunn really understands it.



This year's Young Trad was the usual nail-biter, with little between any of the six finalists. Michael Biggins's technical skill and invention just edged it though. The whole event is still available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.



At our board meeting this week the European Folk Network agreed to Culture Action Europe, a 'network of networks' which aims to maintain continuous dialogue and knowledge exchange between the cultural sector in Europe and EU policymakers. It's good for folk and traditional music to be finally part of that.



It's Say a Gaelic Phrase Day today. I like this one, appropriate for current circumstances. Chan eil tuil air nach tig traoghadh (There is no flood that will not subside.)



Last week was Independent Venue Week. One of the panels was on access, and how digital access, although potentially making gigs more widely available, can still be challenging for disabled and deaf music-makers and music fans.



I'd forgotten that I'd contributed to the Crowdfunder for John Dipper and James Patterson's new album, so was delighted when a CD came unexpectedly through the post the other day. John plays viola d'amore throughout the album. Sample here.



Great to hear that Skerryvore have made it on to Radio 2's A list, which means lots of exposure for their latest single, 'You and I'.


All the best
DF


David Francis is Director of the Traditional Music Forum


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