Shetland Folk Festival 2017

The 37th Shetland Folk Festival shall be held between Wednesday 27th and Sunday 30th April 2017.

The Festival comprises of concerts throughout the isles as well as a Festival Club in Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick with both formal and informal concerts, workshops, a real ale bar, and sessions continuing into the wee hours of the morning.

The Shetland Folk Festival is a non-profit, volunteer driven organisation, dedicated to presenting the best folk music from around the globe to the local community and visitors alike.

Line-up

Confirmed so far are:- Fiddlers' Bid; The Lonely Heartstring Band; Ten Strings and a Goat Skin; Michelle Burke Band; Ímar; The Goodbye Girls; Trad Attack!; The Chair; Mec Lir; The Langan Band; The Lowest Pair; Trio Dhoore; New Road; Scott Wood Band; Veronica and the Red Wine Serenaders; Maya Youssef.

Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending upon event.

Tickets are expected on sale on Monday 3rd April at 6pm. Tickets are usually in high demand, even early members may not get the tickets of their choice. However, there are usually tickets available for some concerts when tickets go on sale to the public.

All SFFS Members are limited to the purchase of one member ticket per night, with the exception of Sunday, where they may purchase a ticket for both an afternoon concert and a Foy.

More info

The festival features concerts, workshops, session rooms, food and bar. Most visiting musicians will be in Shetland for the duration of the festival playing at different venues throughout the isles alongside the local acts.

There will be dedicated events for younger audience members featuring Scottish Children Entertainers Allansmagic. The Festival will conclude with the 'Festival Foy' events where most visiting musicians will play three separate 15-minute slots in three different venues.

Camping and other accommodation

Amongst others, there is a campsite at the Clickimin Centre in Lerwick. There are also B+B's, hotels and guesthouses.

Getting there

Ferries

There are daily flights and ferries connecting mainland UK to Shetland but booking is essential at Festival time. Northlink Ferries currently operate the overnight ferry service between Aberdeen and Shetland but early booking is probably essential especially as the first ferry before the festival starts (i.e. leaving Aberdeen on Wednesday), renowned for impromptu sessions, is likely to be packed with performers.

Plane

You can also fly from Glasgow/Edinburgh and Aberdeen with British Airways to Sumburgh, Shetland's main airport. There are several flights a day.

More information will be here when available.