The Headline Act

The biggest name on the bill this year is Le Vent du Nord, who headline Saturday evening at Troon Concert Hall. They are one of the most celebrated folk bands in the world. Based in Quebec, Canada, they have been touring for over two decades, released 13 albums, won two Juno Awards (Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys), and performed on four continents. Their sound is rooted in traditional Québécois music with a powerful Celtic influence, anchored by the hurdy-gurdy and driven by a soulful energy that is very hard to describe without just saying: come and see them. We are genuinely thrilled to have them in Troon.

“Le Vent du Nord are the kind of band you usually have to travel a long way to see. The fact that they are coming to Troon, alongside so much brilliant Scottish talent, feels like a real moment for the festival.” — Blair Parham, Festival Director

Friday 14 August

Friday evening opens at Troon Concert Hall with Scottish Fish, a Boston-based fiddle and cello group whose story is a wee bit extraordinary. They started out as a group of young girls aged between seven and eleven at a Scottish fiddle school off the coast of Massachusetts. They have since played Celtic Connections, Festival Interceltique de Lorient, and built an international following of over 400,000 people across social media. Young, joyful and technically exceptional.

Following them is Old Blind Dogs, one of the great names in Scottish trad. They have been a cornerstone of the scene since forming in Aberdeen in 1992, were inducted into the Scottish Trad Music Hall of Fame in 2020, and continue to combine fiddle, cittern, pipes and percussion into something that feels both deeply rooted and completely alive. Friday closes with Heron Valley headlining the main stage. They have been one of the standout live acts in Scottish folk since 2014, blending traditional tunes with country and bluegrass influences and delivering the kind of set that puts a room on its feet.

The Vantage Room on Friday also features Alice Faye opening the performances. Hannah Rarity will perform later in the night. Hannah won the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2018 and has one of the most striking voices in contemporary Scottish folk.

Saturday 15 August

Saturday runs from early afternoon through to a late session at the South Beach Hotel. The Vantage Room programme is strong throughout: a young trad showcase from KICK, followed by Erin Hephzibah, Zoe Eliza, Tom Campbell Trio, Robyn Stapleton and Laura Silverstone. Robyn is a Galloway-born singer who won the BBC Young Traditional Musician award in 2014 and is one of the most respected interpreters of Scots song in the country. There is a lot of quality in that room.

On the main stage, Lussa open the evening before Eabhal take the stage. Eabhal came together in the Outer Hebrides and have spent the past ten years building a reputation for music that is firmly rooted in the west coast of Scotland, with Gaelic and English songs and original compositions. Then Le Vent du Nord close the night.

The session trail runs through Troon during the day, taking in several bars with more info to follow. All free. No ticket needed. This is one of the things we love most about the festival format and we are glad to bring it properly into the heart of Troon for the first time.

Sunday 16 August

Sunday afternoon hosts a schools performance concert and ceilidh at Troon Concert Hall. We have been working with local schools in the lead-up to the festival and this is a session we are genuinely looking forward to. Young people performing live, on a proper stage, as part of a real festival weekend. Tickets for this will be priced low and children are very welcome.

The Vantage Room in the evening features Alma and Tarran before Gary Innes and Friends close out the festival. Gary is a founding member of Manran, the BBC Radio Scotland presenter of Take the Floor and Your Requests, and one of the warmest and most entertaining performers you will find anywhere on the Scottish folk circuit. Closing a festival with Gary feels right.

The session trail continues on Sunday afternoon with a hosted open session. Instrumental workshops run across the weekend as ticketed add-ons. Walker Hall will be open as a relaxed hangout space throughout the weekend, with food, drinks and activities for younger visitors.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now at freshayrfolkfest.com. Weekend passes, day tickets and evening-only tickets are all available. The Supporter Weekend Pass is limited to 30 and priced at £135, with priority entry across all three days. Children’s tickets are available for every ticket type.

We have worked hard to put together a programme worth travelling for. We think this is the strongest bill Fresh Ayr has ever had. Come and join us in Troon in August.