Music & Song
Music has played a prominent part in the festival right from its foundation in 1998. Weaving round and interspersing readings it enhances and expands the poems with which it interacts. Specific musical performances present poetry combined with or set to music,look back at the great ballad or songwriting traditions of past centuries, or recognise its connection with contemporary song and the classics of the 20th century songbook.
Wed 18 March | Festival Launch
First Minister Alex Salmond, poets Bill Manhire & Kate Clanchy, singer Sheena Wellington, Burning Burns with David Mach; music from Ferryport Fiddlers
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Level 2 Foyer
Wed 18 March | Sex & the Poet
In the Footsteps of Clarinda with Gill Bowman followed by Bawdy Burns: songs & poems from The Merry Muses of Caledonia with Sheena Wellington, Rod Paterson, Gill Bowman, Nigel Leask & Pauline Gray.
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Auditorium
Thu 19 March | Poetry & Jazz Jam
Byre jazz session players & selected poets
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Bar & Bistro
Sat 21 March | Poetry Breakfast
Ian Rankin, Simon Armitage, Martin Newell, Stephen Scobie, Marco Fazzini & Roddy Lumsden (chair) discuss song lyrics as poetry
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sat 21 March | Children’s Show
Carol Ann Duffy & music from John Sampson
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Auditorium
Sun 22 March | A Bracingly Lovely Evening
Poems, tunes, gags & yarns with Martin Newell
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sun 22 March | Festival Finale
Heeliegoleerie: Eilidh Steel (fiddle), Mark Neal (guitar/cittern/vocals), Ali MacLeod (djembe drum)
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Bar & Bistro