From jazz and classical to folk, trad and reggae – unplugged
No electricity, no amplification – the only power at the Totally Acoustic in the festival village of Moniaive will be from the music itself.
The free family event, taking place across the Dumfries and Galloway village from 1pm to midnight on Saturday, 18th June, features everything from jazz and trad to classical and from samba to choral music.
For fans of Thornhill-based singer-songwriter Tim Brynovsky and Idana the return of Brynovsky will be a long-awaited treat as the band gets back on the road again. Tim plays guitar, Idana plays melodica and both will be singing.
Tim said: “It’s now full steam ahead for Totally Acoustic – we’re really looking forward to playing new and old material – and doing it in an acoustic format.
“We are normally a reggae band, so playing unplugged is an exciting new prospect for us.”
They will not just play without electricity but sing without mics.
Among the others taking part are Georgia Seddon, well known for her role in the Mike Heron Band and as a folk performer, who will return to her classical roots with a recital of music by Debussy, Greig, George Lloyd, Michael Nyman and others.
Georgia said: “I will be playing a programme of music for solo piano which traces development from the great romantic composer Edvard Grieg, through the beginnings of modernism with impressionist composer Claude Debussy, to neo-Romantic Tamara Konstantin, minimalist film music composer Michael Nyman and contemporary crossover music by Ludovico Einaudi.
“My concert is sponsored by the George Lloyd Society, and begins with two works by Cornishman George Lloyd, whose colourful, tuneful music featured at The Last Night of the Proms.”
Trio Gitan will be a favourite at the event as they imagine a musical journey aboard the Orient Express, playing tunes from countries the train passes through as it follows the tracks from Paris, through the Balkans to Istanbul.
Tim O’Sullivan, who runs the Craigdarroch Arms which is the main hub for Totally Acoustic, said: “It’s going to be an awesome day, the village will be filled with music. Bob Dylan caused a huge stir when he went from acoustic to electric – for one day we are shifting everything back again so people can hear all sorts of music as it was meant to be performed.
“There’s a huge range on offer, from trad and jazz through to choral and classical. There’ll even be poetry, circus performers and buskers around the village for people to enjoy – and we’ll be making sure that all the power sockets are firmly switched off.”
Others featuring at Totally Acoustic include:
- Whelan & Briar – flute and harp trad musicians
- Hugh McMillan – Dumfries and Galloway poet
- Romacaleo – Gypsy jazz
- Glencairn Samba Band – compelling samba rhythms
- Cairn Chorus – leading community choir
The festival will also have great grub on offer with pizza and a barbecue available all day.
