Dateline … Saturdayday 26 September 2026 2026

NB: Tickets are still available for Airdan's gig our main opening event of the new season (Sept 30) - head to Tickets-Scotland.

Shows coming up after Airdan are on alternate Wednesdays through October to December 2026, doors/bar 7:30pm, showtime 8pm ...

Oct 14   Alan Reid and Christine Kydd (see opposite)
Oct 28   Iona Fyfe (info awaited)
Nov 11   Pete Morton (info awaited)
Nov 25   George Machray (info awaited)
Dec 09   Judy Barker and Sally Thomas (info awaited)

Tickets for all these events will be as usual …
£15 (general), £12 (concessions) all available soon from Tickets Scotland.
£10 at the door for EFC members.

The two gigs we put on this week in conjunction with Leith FC which featured the American a capella quartet Windborne were quite spectacular despite being very last minute additions to our planned
opening programme.

First, we ended up with two fully sold out shows where one (on Wed 23 Sep) had been originally proposed. That first gig sold out so quickly - about a week in advance - that a second gig was suggested for the following night, went on sale pronto and - lo and behold - sold out as well!

Then, the gigs themselves were superb. Such great singing and harmonising of an excellent repertoire to which both audiences responded with enthusiasm including two songs Dick Gaughan was/is known for (Si Kahn's What You Do With What You've Got and Dick's own setting of Revolution) and other songs from the left. The band make no bones about where they stand politically. While sometimes audiences don't respond well to such statements this time it was done with such good natured humour, smiles and charm that the largely older audience took it in their stride. There are a lot of acts could learn a lot about stage craft from this enormously talented quartet.

Watch out for Windborne next them they're over here - hopefully in December 2027. Well worth your while!

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB
Wednesday 30 September 2026

doors 7:30pm, showtime 8.00pm.
Tickets: £15 (non-members), £12 (members) - from Tickets-Scotland

Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB

Àirdan

Àirdan played first at EFC in 2024 and were an instant hit with a sold-out house.

"Raw energy and a modern young twist" (Celtic Music Radio). Àirdan is an exciting new trad band born from the vibrant pub scene of Edinburgh. Their high energy grooves and dynamic arrangements see melodies and riffs juggled between fiddle (Paul Sinclair), accordion (Coll Williamson), guitar (David Lennon) and drums (Ewa Adamiec). A small madhouse of cultures and influences, this multinational group of musicians first met in 2017 through their shared thirst for Scottish trad music, and joined forces to captivate listeners with their fresh and exciting take on their unique musical heritage.
 

EDINBURGH FOLK CLUB
Wednesday 14 October 2026

doors 7:30pm, showtime 8.00pm.
Tickets: £15 (non-members), £12 (members) - from Tickets Scotland (to be advised)

Ukrainian Community Centre, 14 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB

Alan Reid and Christine Kydd
Co-founder of Battlefield Band Alan Reid was in the vanguard of the exciting new Scottish folk bands that emerged around 1970 (including Silly Wizard, Tannahill Weavers and Ossian). His groundbreaking keyboard work helped cement the band’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential folk bands of its generation. As well as driving instrumental sets the
band was noted for fostering songwriting with Brian McNeill, Davy Steele, Karine Polwart and Alan all contributing. His songs have been lauded for being rooted in the Scots tradition, rich in storytelling and strong on melody .

After 40 years, recording almost 30 albums and touring worldwide with the Batties, Alan left in 2010 to concentrate on his duo with Rob van Sante. The pair recorded 5 albums and toured at home and abroad. Since 2020 he has continued to perform solo in the U.K., north America, Europe and Australasia, winning new fans with his songs and engaging stage presence.

'One of Scottish Folk Music’s timeless treasures’, Christine Kydd, multi-award-winning singer and twice-nominated MG AlbaScots Singer of the Year, Christine was inducted in 2018 to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. She first appeared in a duo with Janet Russell in the 80s and began exploring groundbreaking harmony work inspired by ‘Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares’ as well as marrying Joni Mitchell guitar tunings with traditional song. Since then she has toured in North America, Europe and beyond and supported major artistes including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Guy Clark, Richard Thompson, Tannahill Weavers, Capercaillie and Christy Moore, Over the years she has also collaborated with top musicians, some of whom have featured in groups like Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin’ Fiddles, and Shooglenifty.

As respected and loved by fellow musicians as she is by her audiences, Christine’s songs range from traditional Scots songs and ballads to contemporary songs, including her own writing. All are connected by the warmth and humanity of her gorgeous singing, sense of fun, connection with her audience and her love of song.

With years of experience delighting audiences worldwide Alan and Christine bring in this new collaboration a beautifully curated repertoire of old and new songs, irresistible harmonies and a warmth of enjoyment in sharing the stage together.