Tom McConville, regarded by many as one of the finest Fiddle players in the British Isles, is the very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 10th May. This is one most definitely not to miss.
Tom McConville is a performer, session musician and Fiddle teacher – and is in great demand on all three fronts. Born in Tyneside, his first experience of traditional singing and fiddle music was in The Globe pub in Newcastle where he was brought up. It was ‘the watering hole’ for many in the local Irish and Scottish communities on Tyneside and explains why Tom’s repertoire although deeply rooted in his native North East, has strong Scottish and Irish influences.
A scintillating Fiddler, Tom also has rich, warm vocals and a dry Geordie wit. The Irvine Club audience should be prepared for a rollercoaster of fast rhythmic dance tunes through to beautiful slow airs and great singing – with, at all times, his inimitable droll sense of humour in tow.
As well as performing solo, Tom tours with a variety of line-ups and accompanists including Guitarists David Newey & Andy Watt, acoustic Bassist Phil Murray and Accordionists Shona Kipling & Leonard Brown. At the Irvine Club, Tom will be accompanied by Andy Watt. Originally from Callander in Perthshire, Andy is now based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Andy is a star pupil of Guitar maestro Chris Newman and he is also a Mandolinist – which is a new description of saying someone plays the Mandolin! In Andy’s case though, he plays it to an exceptionally high standard! Such are his musical skills that Andy is in much demand and plays in various bands.
After playing the Irvine Club, Tom will be off to Germany for three days of gigs. So, do your very best to be in the Irvine Folk Club audience on Wednesday 10th May at Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road for 8pm. It’s BYOB.
Elsewhere, Moniaive has its Folk Festival this Friday 5th May. One day only but full of good stuff and Moniaive is worth visiting in any case. And one week later on 12th May, the Fife Trad Singing Festival – Fifesing 2017 takes place in the glorious surroundings of Falkland. Moniaive and then Falkland plus music and good company. Excellent!
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