Edinburgh International Festival (5 – 28 August) unveils the details of its closing show at Leith Theatre, Niteworks: Comann, on 28 August, 8pm.
Curated especially for the Edinburgh International Festival by Niteworks, Comann celebrates the fellowship of the Gaelic music scene. Joining the group on stage is Scots singer Beth Malcolm, Gaelic vocal trio Sian, as well as string players from Kinnaris Quintet. ‘Comann’ itself means community, society and fellowship in Gaelic, and this one-off performance showcases the bonds within the contemporary Gaelic music scene.
Electronic-Gaelic fusion group Niteworks combines traditional Scottish music with pulsing electronic beats. After releasing three albums as a group, including 2022’s A’Ghrian, Niteworks performs with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra as part of Celtic Connections in July 2022, before continuing their experimental live collaborations with Comann at the Edinburgh International Festival.
Formed in 2016 with the aim of spotlighting Gaelic songs composed by women, vocal trio Sian bring their individual sound back to Edinburgh following their performance at the 2021 International Festival as part of A Great Disordered Heart. Audiences will enjoy their blend of distinctly rugged and soulful harmonies with striking melodic power.
Sell-out 2021 Festival performers Kinnaris Quintet return to the stage, this time in Leith Theatre. The five-piece Scottish Album of the Year nominees recently released their second record This Too, drawing from a wide range of folk traditions and classical music to create and excitingly unique sound.
Perthshire born singer-songwriter and keyboardist Beth Malcolm makes her International Festival debut in Comann. Recognised by The Scotsman as ‘one to watch’ for 2022, Beth’s career has featured collaborations with Ross Ainslie, Siobhan Miller and Talisk.
The 2022 International Festival also features a range of traditional music from across the globe, including Irish fiddle virtuoso and Celtic collective Martin Hayes & The Common Ground Ensemble (16 August), as well as Taraf de Caliu, the new group formed from the founding members of Romany folk supergroup Taraf de Haïdouks (10 August).
Innes Strachan, synth and keyboards for Niteworks said:
“We are beyond excited to take to the stage for the 75th annual Edinburgh International Festival. For the occasion, we have curated a special show called Comann, which is a Gaelic description of community, bonds and purpose. An apt title, for on the night we will be in the company of a host of amazing artists and friends that will be joining us on stage for a one-off show at the stunning Leith Theatre. Featuring Beth Malcolm, SIAN and the incredible Kinnaris Strings we can’t wait to bring it all together and play it out live.”
Tickets for Comann and the rest of the Edinburgh International Festival music programme are on sale now. A full line-up and information on individual concerts can be found at www.eif.co.uk/music.
–ENDS–
Media contact:
Neil McLeod, Media Officer (Contemporary Music), neil.mcleod@eif.co.uk
Emma Goodacre, Media Manager, emma.goodacre@eif.co.uk
press@eif.co.uk / eif.co.uk
Join the conversation eif.co.uk / #edintfest / @edintfest
For media images – see here
For Kinnaris Quintet Acoustic Session – see here
For the 2022 International Festival trailer – see here
For a digital version of the Programme Brochure – see here
To request media tickets for any performance during the 2022 Edinburgh International Festival, please complete our online accreditation. To access the form – see here.
About Edinburgh International Festival
Every August, the International Festival brings world-class music, opera, dance and theatre performances to Edinburgh.
Created in 1947, the festival inspired post-war audiences through international cultural collaboration. This year the International Festival celebrates 75 years of bringing world cultures together and will take place from 5-28 August 2022.
Year-round the Edinburgh International Festival connects with local communities through education projects, access programmes, and initiatives that introduce new audiences to live performance. For more information visit www.eif.co.uk