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How to tune in this weekend


10 Jul 20
by Nathon Jones

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff © Dabhand's Blog

Today would have seen us welcome in the 7th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival with visitors from all over Scotland, the UK, Ireland and the world joining the local communities of Minnigaff and Newton Stewart for 3 days of tunes, songs and the best o' craic'.

What a line-up it was as well....Karen-Marie Keenan, Cameron Nixon (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist), Ali Levack (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Winner!), Sarah Markey and Band, Damien O'Kane and Ron Block, Paula Herries School of Dance, Grainne Brady and Band and Ulaid. <sob!>

Anyway, not ones to be beaten easily, we have secured all of the above for next year's festival which runs from 9th-11th July 2021 so please put that in your diaries. Tickets are already available online at www.tradmusic.com and we're delighted to be offering a 50% discount for key workers to thank you for your outstanding work in keeping us all safe and well, and not just during these difficult times; a thank you has been long overdue.

This year we're running a very special online version of the festival featuring all of the above, which will be available to view on the festival's YouTube channel at Trad Festival YouTube from 6pm on Saturday 11th July 2020.  We hope you'll all join us for that.

We'll be leaving the footage up for a month and are running a JustGiving fundraising campaign alongside it to raise much-needed funds for next year's event and to support the work Trad Music Trust do to encourage, develop, support and promote traditional music and dance learning, composition and performance in Dumfries & Galloway.

You can donate online now, until 10th August 2020, by clicking the Donate Online button below.

Thank you all so much for your support over the years.  We're so sad that we won't be getting to see any of you this weekend.  Jeezo, are we ready for a tune btw!

Please enjoy this year's offering and we'll look forward, very much, to seeing you all next year, if not before.

Donate Online

In Other News


RURA and KICK to perform at Summer Trad Festival 2026

Multi award winning Scottish folk band RURA and new kids on the block KICK have just been confirmed as performing at this year's Summer Trad Festival over the 10th-12th July 2026. WOW! There's still time to save BIG with a Weekend Pass, but you'll have hurry as that offer expires at 6pm!  

10 Jun 26
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Last chance to save with a Weekend Pass for Summer Trad Festival 2026 - extended to 6pm!

Over 10-12th July 2026, the very best in traditional music returns to Newton Stewart for the 13th annual Summer Trad Festival at The Vault Arts Centre, one of the regions best grassroots music venues. You can save BIG with a Weekend Pass but you'll have to hurry as this offer expires on 10th June!  

9 Jun 26
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World-class bluegrass festival returns to Newton Stewart over 15-17 May 2026!

SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival celebrates is 5th year in 2026, bringing the very best in UK and International bluegrass/Americana/old-time music to you with concerts, workshops, open mic and pickin' sessions all weekend, LIVE in the Festival Marquee and The Vault Arts Centre in beautiful Galloway.  

7 May 26
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Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 13th year over 10th-12th July 2026. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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