Shetland Folk Festival

Saturday 30th April saw Hjaltibonhoga open the Clickimin concert at the 2016 Shetland Folk Festival. The stage was packed with more than 65 fiddles and the piano leaving little extra space on the considerable size of a stage. Wearing the costumes designed for the 2014 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a brand new setlist included the first appearance for the Hjaltibonhoga Training Band.

A selection of photos from the performance by Geoff Leask:

A highlight for both the band and crowd was a beautiful slow air composed by Margaret Robertson called Iain. Geoff Leask captured a video of the moving performance. Iain McAlpine played with Hjaltibonhoga during the 2014 Edinburgh Tattoo and unfortunately couldn't join us for the 2015 Tattoo due to ill health. We sadly found out during the Tattoo that he had passed away and Margaret composed the air in his memory.

Clickimin was sold out for the show and we're delighted to have presented the group in force to a Shetland audience. Here's a selfie taken by Kriss Moulder with the audience:

Next up for the band is the Orkney Folk Festival at the end of May and we'll be starting to dedicate some rehearsal time to the upcoming 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 'Tunes of Glory'.