Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:03:57 -0800WeeblyMon, 11 May 2009 10:14:45 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/05/pics-on-line.htmlWe now have some pictures from Norther Roots on our Concert page.  Hope you like them.  Thanks to Conor O'Hara for such a professional job. 

]]>Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:55:44 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/04/hi-arts-review-of-the-1st-norhtern-roots.htmlNORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL (Bogbain Farm, Inverness, 4 April 2009) 08 April 2009

JENNIE MACFIE samples the inaugural Northern Roots Festival, and seems to have quite liked the Groanbox Boys NORTHERN ROOTS is a welcome addition to the Highland festival scene, family-friendly, with a distinctive flavour all of its own. It was well into the Crosseyed Gals’ set before I realised the interesting pattern of fairy lights behind the makeshift stage in the Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm steading was in fact random knotholes in the large wooden double doors which, until recently, was only ever opened to allow tractor parking.

The steading is certainly full of heritage, and it was a bit of an adventure, too. It’s a very basic venue which feels a bit like an old church, with its long narrow nave and high, vaulted roof. And also its lack of heating; we had been warned, though, as the website had advised wrapping up warmly, and many a car rug was pressed into service before the day was over. But Northern Roots is a music festival, and the music was worth the occasional shiver.

The Crosseyed Gals, a Swedish/Scottish band playing rootsy alt-country Americana opened proceedings on Saturday afternoon, with pure breathy vocals from Sofie Jonsson, which at times reminded me of a feminised Nick Drake, and some lovely instrumental and vocal accompaniments from Liza Mulholland and John Mitchell, abetted towards the end of the set by Mary Anne Frew for a very jolly rendition of their eponymous Skip Gordon ditty.

On an extended mission to find something warm to a) drink and b) wear, I missed most of Ranald Smith & Iain MacGillivray’s set, but managed to hear enough to appreciate their mellow, beautifully matched guitarwork and passionately felt lyrics. The afternoon’s concert finished with the ethereally beautiful songs of Fiona Mackenzie, mostly from her solo album Elevate, one of the great and enduring audio delights of 2008.

Also known as Fiona ‘Gress’ to distinguish her from the swarm of singers with the same name, she has been described as Kate Bush meets Bjork on the Isle of Lewis – but that’s only the half of it. As she started to sing, the audience suddenly hushed in concentration, stunned by the quality. Accompanied by Brian O hEadhra on guitar and Rick Taylor on keyboards, augmented by Liza Mulholland on accordion for ‘Maria’, her set was a musical treat of the highest order.

The evening concert began with a workmanlike set from Andy Gunn and his Band, which dipped into blues and country before settling into a comfortable rock groove. The Sheila Henderson Band were next up with some polished, tight but enviably loose folk/country. The diminutive Ms Henderson has a stunningly beautiful voice which punches well above its weight, and her musicians, who look like a motley crew, are equally gifted. Her lead guitarist Brian Nicholson looks like a cross between Bill Bailey and the Hairy Bikers, but plays like the longlost love child of BB King.

Bruce MacGregor has been waxing lyrical about the Groanbox Boys for the past year. I was expecting well-played bluegrass, maybe a bit hokey, but definitely authentic and well-played. I was thus completely unprepared for the reality, which is almost impossible to describe. The set swooped and soared from Nick Cave to Dr John the Night Tripper via Paul Simon’s Graceland, veering occasionally into Trent Reznor territory and suddenly heading back to Maryland as though butter wouldn’t melt in its mouth. File under E for Extraordinarily Excellent.

© Jennie Macfie, 2009

]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:08:02 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/04/back-to-grassroots-down-on-the-farm.htmlNorthern Roots, the north’s newest festival launches tomorrow. It has attracted worldwide interest from music fans and, more unusually, musicians keen to see a return to old-style festivals, writes Susan Welsh

PPublished: 02/04/2009

AS A HIGHLY respected musician, Inverness fiddler Bruce MacGregor has played at some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Glastonbury.

But tomorrow, he will perform at what could be the most important festival of his life – his own one.

For Bruce and fellow-organiser Brian Ó hEadhra have gone back to their grassroots to launch the north’s newest festival, Northern Roots.

Bruce and Brian are well known musicians in the Scottish music scene and between them have been involved in running high-profile events in the Highlands such as the Blas Festival, Blazin’ in Beauly, and Nòs Ùr Celtic and Scots Language Song Competition.

The three-day festival takes place in a Victorian barn at Bruce’s family home and business, Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm, which sits on the southern outskirts of the Highland capital.

Despite its small size, the organic feel of the festival has been attracting worldwide attention, with inquiries from as far afield as America and Abu Dhabi.

As well as being the founder of Blazin Fiddles, Bruce plays with the Gaelic group Cliar and has been a producer and presenter for BBC Radio Scotland.

Over the years, he has appeared at dozens of festivals, and it was these experiences which persuaded him to launch Northern Roots.

“The festival will be like an old-style festival when musicians would join each other on stage, and there would be a great deal of intimate rapport with the audience,” said Bruce.

“You know all the bits you love about festivals and you know the bits you aren’t so keen on, so what we have done here is to cherry pick, and keep only the best bits.

“Many of the festivals are so big now that, from a musician’s point of view, they are almost too big. You don’t get the chance to engage with other performers because you are stuck in your wee caravan and only taken out when it’s time to perform.

“Very rarely do artists get a chance to engage with each other or with the audience.

“This is what Brian and I considered when we thought about this: we wanted to create a festival that was intimate, where the artists are right in among the festivalgoers.

“You could be sitting there quietly having a beer, and the next minute some of the greatest pickers and players in the country could be having a tune right beside you.

“Many of the bands taking part are very excited about this aspect of it which, in some ways, makes it as much a festival for musicians as it does for music fans,” said Bruce.

The festival, which features roots artists The Groanbox Boys, Martin Stephenson and Andy Gunn as well as traditional folk performers such as MacGregor, Ó hEadhra and accordionist Sandy Brechin, will also be running family events throughout the weekend.

Concerts and workshops, including a workshop in circus skills, will be hosted at the farm, along with a barbecue and open sessions where new talent can perform for 15 minutes, giving them festival experience and the audience a taste of things to come.

“A highlight for me will be having The Groanbox Boys play here. I can honestly say they are the best three-piece band I’ve seen in years; everyone is quite rightly raving about them because they are really inventive and enthralling,” said Bruce.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing the open stage acts, too, as many of the pubs in Inverness will book only ‘safe’ musicians, as they are wary of bands which are slightly offbeat.

“Among those taking part are Vaguely Cajun from Carrbridge, and the Highland Hot Club, who play jazz and swing.

“While there are set times for acts to appear, the programme is flexible because people will just get up and join in – it will be so much more than just standing around in a wet field listening to bands,” laughed Bruce.

With families and youngsters in mind, little ones can head for the visitor centre of the adventure and heritage farm.

“If kids get bored they can head off into the bail barn where they will literally have the run of the place,” said Bruce.

The festival sits in the event calendar where the once-legendary Inverness Folk Festival took pride of place and folk music will be an important part.

Acts such as former BBC Young Traditionalist of the Year Anna Massie and stalwarts of the old Inverness Folk Club Iain MacGillivray and Ranald Smith will join forces with recent Scottish Trad Awards nominee Fiona Mackenzie.

“It’s great to have that link with the old festival which was responsible for bringing in some of the biggest names in traditional music in these shores,” said fellow-organiser Brian.

The two organisers will also join in the festivities, performing with accordion wizard Sandy Brechin.

“It was a tough gig to get, but we pulled a few strings,” joked Brian.

The Northern Roots Festival runs from tomorrow until Sunday. There are a limited number of weekend tickets priced at £40. An adult evening concerts ticket is priced at £13.50, £9 for under 16s. Tickets for the Saturday afternoon concerts are priced at £9 for adults and £5 for under 16s. Workshops are priced at £5. Tickets can be bought via Bogbain Farm, telephone 01463 772800 for further information.

]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:41:38 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/04/festival-this-weekend.htmlHello / Feasgar math,

Just quick email to remind you that the inaugural NORTHERN ROOTS FESTIVAL starts this Friday evening at Bogbain Farm, Inverness.

The festival will feature some of the best local, national and international acts performing a potent mix of country, bluegrass, folk, blues and beyond.  Many events are free!

See programme and booking details on this site.  Concert tickets are going fast so you are advised to book in advance.

Hope to see you there.

Dùrachdan,

Brian Ó hEadhra & Bruce MacGregor - Festival Directors


Northern Roots thanks the Highland Council and Highlands & Islands Enterprise for their assistance. 

]]>Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:21:55 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/03/northern-exposure-slots-filling-up.htmlWe have had a great take up on artistes wanting to perform on the Northern Exposure stage.  Some are coming from as far as USA and England! 
The current list is: 
Janet McCandlas
Rona
The Clach
Highland Hot Club
Mary Ann Frew
Lorraine Lucas

More are being added all the time.  At this rate we may have to hold a Northern Exposure stage on the Sunday as well!  We'll update the list again soon. 

]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:03:27 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/03/world-wide-attention-on-northern-roots-festival.html

Despite its small size it seems the grassroots, organic feel to the North’s newest festival, Northern Roots, is attracting world wide attention.  “It’s been amazing” explained festival co-director Bruce MacGregor. “We’ve had enquiries from the south of England, America and even Abu Dabi!”

The appeal of the festival seems to be its focus on roots and acoustic music, as well as the organisers aim to create a different atmosphere from any other festival in the country.  “The idea is to create a festival where the artists are right in amongst the festival goers. You could be sitting there quietly having a beer, and the next minute some of the greatest pickers and players in the country could be having a tune right beside you,” explained fellow organiser Brian Ó hEadhra.  “Which is fine as long as you weren’t just wanting a quiet beer!” laughed MacGregor.  

The festival is looking to unleash new talent on the audiences for the weekend event which is taking place at Bogbain Farm just south of Inverness on the 3rd to 5th April.

“We’re running a stage for folk who want to get up and give it a go. It’s called Northern Exposure and will run on the Saturday afternoon. I suppose we’d like to return to the idea of the festivals of the past, where music and participation were at the very core; where songwriters got a chance to get up on stage and try out new songs” Ó hEadhra continued.

“I’ve been amazed at the world wide interest the festival has generated,” enthused MacGregor. “There’s an American couple who are coming over to get married and are coming to the festival for their honeymoon! They’ve even booked into the Gaelic language taster sessions Brian is running! I suppose with the internet and myspace in particular, music lovers are able to find the kind of music they want to hear.”

The festival which features roots artists, The Groanbox Boys, Martin Stephenson and Andy Gunn as well as traditional folk performers such as MacGregor, Ó hEadhra and accordionist Sandy Brechin, will also be running family events throughout the weekend. Concerts and workshops, including a workshop in circus skills will be hosted at the farm.

]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:35:12 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2009/01/a-hoedowndown-on-the-farm.html

A new festival has been launched celebrating the Highland’s great love of folk, country and roots music. However the Northern Roots Festival, to be held on the 3rd to 5th of April at Bogbain Farm just outside of Inverness, is hoping that the quality of the artistes and rustic atmosphere will draw the crowds.

“This is a festival for people who like their music raw and intimate”, explained Brian Ó hEadhra, one of the festival’s organisers.  “Unlike many of the big outdoor festivals, there won’t be any pyrotechnics, fireworks or screaming decibels as most of the acts are acoustic in nature.”

The festival, which will play over three nights and also include afternoon concerts and workshops, will be held in the Victorian farm buildings at Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm, a multi-award winning family visitor centre, run by the other festival director and member of Blazin Fiddles, Bruce MacGregor.  “I don’t know if it’s a sign of my age but I really like the idea of a festival being inside.  Maybe it’s because I’ve played at some of the wettest, coldest festivals in the world,” he joked.

The festival sits in the events calendar where the once legendary Inverness Folk Festival took pride of place, and folk music will be an important part. Acts such as former BBC Young traditionalist of the year Anna Massie and stalwarts of the old Inverness Folk club Iain MacGillivray and Ranald Smith will also join with recent Scottish Trad Awards nominee Fiona Mackenzie.

“It’s great to have that link with the old festival which was responsible for bringing some of the biggest names in traditional music to these shores” said Brian.  The two organisers will also be partaking in the festivities as they perform along with accordion wizz Sandy Brechin. “Well it was a tough gig to get but we pulled a few strings,” joked Brian.

The farm buildings will offer a unique setting for acts such as US band the Groanbox boys, described as “utterly enthralling” by the Independent newspaper, and Edinburgh singer Dean Owens, said by Irvine Welsh to be “perhaps the most engaging singer songwriter in Scotland today”

“We’ve only got a limited number of tickets which go on sale on 1st February so I think due to the intimacy, the quality of artists and the setting, we really have the makings of something very special” enthused Bruce.

The festival has received support from Highland Legacy Fund and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

ENDS.

]]>Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:15:18 -0800http://www.northern-roots-festival.com/1/post/2008/12/bogbain-set-to-join-festival-circuit.htmlFrom Inverness Courier.

Published:  28 November, 2008

BOGBAIN Farm overlooking Inverness is to add itself to the North's festival calendar next year.

However, the MacGregor family have no plans to challenge fellow farmer Michael Eavis' Glastonbury Festival — at least yet.

Instead Bogbain's Northern Roots Festival will be a much more organic and home grown affair, including its organiser, Bruce MacGregor in the line up.

MacGregor, who runs the Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Centre on the family farm owned by his father Brian, explained that the festival date of Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th April had been chosen as it helped fill the gap left by the old Inverness Folk Festival.

"There's no folk club in Inverness any more and if you actually want to sit down and listen to somebody sing, it's difficult," he explained.

The Northern Roots Festival, despite a strong folk element and including Inverness Folk Festival stalwarts such as Ranald Smith and Iain MacGillivray, will not confine itself to folk, though the line-up will remain rootsy rather than rocky.

"The whole idea is that it's going to be folk, country and bluegrass. We are trying to get nothing more than a three-piece band up there," he said.

"We're keeping it all very small for this one. It's going to be within the buildings at Bogbain, basically because we want to test the water. I've got a feeling there's probably a bit of a festival overload in some parts of the Highlands, but we've spoken to all the festival organisers, people like Rob Hicks (Belladrum, Loopallu, Rock Ness), and we don't think we're stepping on anyone's toes.

"We don't want to get into the realms of having big bands. It's going to be a kind of homespun affair — which we kind of major on up at Bogbain."

Leading the line-up are US-based Americana band the Groanbox Boys, MacGregor's own trio with accordionist Sandy Brechin and singer Brian Ó hEadhra, Shetland country singer Shirley Henderson, bluegrass band Goldrush, singer-songwriter Martin Stephenson of the Daintees fame, locally based musicians like bluesman Andy Gunn, Gaelic/contemporary singer Fiona Mackenzie, High Lonesome and award-winning Black Isle multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie, with negotiations still under way for other artists.

"We're really hoping that we will get some nice collaborations between people as well," MacGregor added.

"Hopefully they will play in one room, then come through to the restaurant area and have a jam. Sit down beside somebody you've never played with before and the next minute come up with something nice."

If successful in its first year, the festival could move outside in the future with stages taking advantage of Bogbain's sweeping views over the Moray Firth.

Under the direction of MacGregor, whose other roles include membership of folk supergroup Blazin' Fiddles, Bogbain has already become a venue attracting some of the most respected names in folk and related music, including singer Dick Gaughan, American instrumentalist Tim O'Brian and most recently, award-winning singer Emily Smith.

Up coming visitors will include the Battlefield Band's Alasdair White with Gaelic singer Calum Alex MacMillan and fiddler Jenna Reid from Dochas.

Bogbain will also be featured on today's BBC Scotland "Landward" series, screened at 7pm on BBC2, as the first in a series of four mini documentaries looking at farm diversification throughout Scotland presented by MacGregor himself.

Last year the company won "Best New Business" at the Highland Tourism Awards and Highland Food and Drink Awards.

"It was a completely new experience for me," MacGregor explained.

"I'm quite comfortable chatting with a fiddle under my arm or a mic in front of me, but wandering about trying to talk to a camera was a whole new skill to learn. The series was fascinating though as it allowed me to meet up with other folk who've had to look at ways of creatively working their land."

The series takes him to Eyemouth to meet a pig farmer who has opened up a fast food establishment in Edinburgh, closer to home to meet Highland soap producers The Strathpeffer Soap Company and finally to Fife to see a farmer who has diversified into flowers.

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