A’ the Airts in Sanquhar has a great line-up of talented musicians set to perform for its March music series.
On Friday, March 6, Scottish folk singer Pauline Alexander brings her “unforgettable and incomparable voice” to the art centre’s main stage.
Hailed as one of the finest voices to have emerged in the Scottish folk scene in recent times, Pauline comes with highly acclaimed guitarist Edwin Gallacher.
Their concert this year at the Edinburgh Fringe received a standing ovation.
In the short time that they have been together, Pauline and Edwin have been nominated for an Isambard Folk Award, toured folk clubs and festivals around England and Scotland as well as appearing on STV Glasgow’s Riverside Show.
The duo have opened for the likes of Dougie MacLean and more recently, The Pearlfishers during their Celtic Connections show as well as supporting Shelagh McDonald.
Recently she performed at Dumfries’ Big Burns Supper with their show “A Fine Voice and Mesmerising Guitar” at the Electric Theatre Workspace. It was particularly poignant performing in Dumfries and Galloway as Alive Radio was one of the first of many radio stations to feature Pauline’s music when she was invited to appear on Mark Smith’s Drivetime radio show.
The duo’s manager, Stephen Thomson of Cracker Dog Records, said: “I fell in love with Pauline’s singing after initially having mistaken her voice for Eva Cassidy’s.
“It is unusual to hear someone with such a fine purity of voice. At that time, Pauline was not actively pursuing a career in music and I felt compelled to promote her and her music.
“With Edwin’s masterful accompaniment it really has been a winning formula. The result is sublime.”
On Friday, March 20, A’ the Airtswelcomes back Lanarkshire-based band Luckenbooth for another fine evening of traditional and contemporary music from this talented outfit’s wide repertoire.
Luckenbooth are Christine on keyboard, whistle and percussion; Mhairi on fiddle, viola and vocals; Alex on lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, whistles and flute; Jim on guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and the occasional vocal. The band plays mainly around Scotland’s central belt at clubs and festivals.
Two band members come from a classically trained background. Luckenbooth gigs are always tailored to the audience and they like to get the crowds singing along, so choose their material accordingly.
All in all, the audience is guaranteed a fine evening of easy listening and solid entertainment.
Both performances take place at 7.30pm.
