Following the huge success and popularity of Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook over the last 8 years, he is delighted to announce they will be returning once again and this time taking to the road for 5 shows in Aberdeen, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Teemed with jovial anecdotes, modern and traditional Christmas music and exquisite musicianship that will tug at ones heartstrings, it is indeed “the perfect way to fill up your festive fuel tank” The Scotsman. Phil will be joined by some of the finest musicians on the Scottish folk scene including: Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr and Kevin McGuire along with a special guest Brass Band.
What can you say about Phil Cunningham, a superb innovative instrumentalist, with not simply the fastest fingers in the West but some of the most sensitive ones, too! He is fondly remembered from his days with Silly Wizard and Relativity and as witty musical partner of the great Shetland fiddler, Aly Bain. Also widely recognised from his television and radio presenting, he has been involved in some of the seminal programmes that have enabled Scottish music to walk tall, a true ambassador for traditional music. Also a humourist, his breezy banter can have a 2000-seat hall falling about in the aisles.
Phil often keeps high company and no less is true for this year’s special Christmas gathering. A powerful mix of lead vocalists include the inimitable Eddi Reader, who has celebrated a career spanning over 3 decades and has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers. With anMBE for outstanding contributions to the arts, 3 BRIT awards, a #1 single and 8 critically acclaimed solo albums, Eddi is considered to be “one of Scotland’s greatest national treasures” The Scotsman. Karen Matheson OBE, is recognized the world over as the haunting lead vocalist of Celtic supergroup, Capercaillieand one of “the finest Gaelic singers alive today”Billboard Magazine. Kris Drever, the young Orcadian singer and guitarist is part of the backbone of today’s contemporary roots scene and is widely admired as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars,Lau. Also joining Phil are multi-instrumentalist, John McCusker, one of Scotland’s most accomplished and versatile musicians in any genre who has worked with artists as diverse as Mark Knopfler, Paul Weller and Patti Smith, Teenage Fanclub and Billy Connolly; Ian Carr, who is known for his original and eclectic approach to traditional music guitar and has established an instantly recognisable sound that has influenced countless musicians and Kevin McGuire who is a highly sought after double bassist who has performed with the likes of Karine Polwart and Kate Rusby. Make sure to oil your vocal chords and bring the family!
Thursday 18 December
Glasgow City Hall (Grand Hall), Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NQ
Tel 0141 353 8000 Show 7.30pm Tickets £21
Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December
Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG
Tel. 0131 668 2019 Show 7.30pm Tickets £22.50
Sunday 21 December
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ
Tel 01738 621031 Show 8pm Tickets £22
Monday 22 December
Aberdeen Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS
Tel 01224 632080 / 01224 641122 Show 7.30pm Tickets £22 www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
For more information on some of the artists involved with the 2014 Christmas Concerts, please visit:-www.philcunningham.com www.eddireader.co.uk
http://www.karenmatheson.com/www.johnmccusker.co.uk www.krisdrever.com
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
