The 2023 festival sees us host our first TWO-NIGHTER at the Astley Hall! Opening the festival on Friday night is Canadian singer-songwriter CLAIRE COUPLAND with her captivating voice and gift of story-telling, followed by Scots/Aussie duo RAIN OF ANIMALS who effortlessly tune into their own exciting interpretations of Old Time and Bluegrass and finally, Scotland’s own DEAN OWENS AND THE SINNERS sweep us cross-state on a dusty desert US road trip, combining Calexico-infused musical arrangements with Dean’s searingly soulful voice.
Doors 7pm / Show starts 7.30pm / Licensed bar til late
TICKETS
Friday Ticket (3 bands):
Adults £40 / Under 18s £25 / Under 5s free
Weekend Ticket (6 bands)
Adults £60 / £45 Under 18s / Under 5s free
12pm – 1.15pm
FIDDLE & GUITAR DUO
with Gabrielle & Barry
2pm – 3.15pm
HARMONY SINGING
with Sue & Ishani.
12pm – 4pm
VANDEN GUITARS
Mike Vanden has been supporting us since we started, and finally he’s coming to show his exceptionally fine hand-crafted instruments, straight from his workshop in Strontian! Yep, he’s the go-to-guy for acoustic guitars, arch top guitars and mandolins – make sure you stop by at Astley Hall and get a chat with Mike about his famous customers!
https://vanden.co.uk/
CAERINI VIOLINS
High quality, hand made violins from maker Dave Sutherland’s in Roybridge! He offers a full range of repairs for your stringed instrument and he’ll also be at LSIC on Saturday afternoon with some of his handcrafted instruments. Dave has a special interest in fiddle tradition, so feel free to drop by and talk Trad to Old Time!
https://www.caeriniviolins.co.uk/
BOBCAT BANJOS
Handcrafted banjos from Thurso! Maker Neil Parkin creates bespoke 5-string banjos and plays ’em too… he’ll be at LSIC on Saturday afternoon with some of his instruments on show (and on sale) – why not drop by to chat all things banjo and try one out?
Bobcat Banjos
We know our festival audience LOVE to gather, pick, play, jam, sing or simply just listen. HUGE thanks to managers Catherine, Cassie & Eddy at these great village eateries (and drinkeries) who are welcoming session pickers!
Boathouse Café, Arisaig Marina
• Inside & outside seating
• Open 9.30am til 3pm
• Hot drinks & soft drinks
• Snacks, light bites & treats
Soundbites Café
• Open 10am til 5pm
• Session space available
• GUARANTEED space between 2-5pm
• Licensed café
• Hot food to eat in / takeaway
• Hot & soft drinks
Arisaig Hotel
• Open 11am til late
• Session space on covered deck
• Lunch & dinner menus
• Licensed bar and restaurant
Refill your musical tank on Saturday night with our SECOND show of Americana artistry, starting with GOOD GUY HANK, an extraordinary trio combining subtle yet complex arrangements with rich vocals and harmonies; followed by songwriter KIRSTEN ADAMSON (yep, that Adamson) whose compelling voice and Nashville-tinged arrangements are underpinned by her Scottish roots; then hang on tight for the mighty HORSENECKS, Bluegrass and Appalachian free spirits on the galloping loose!
Doors 7pm / Show starts 7.30pm / Licensed bar til late
TICKETS
Saturday Ticket (3 bands):
Adults £40 / Under 18s £25 / Under 5s free
Weekend Ticket (6 bands)
Adults £60 / £45 Under 18s / Under 5s free
2pm – 3pm
This will be the festival’s THIRD train-themed session so it MUST be legendary by now! Loads of you have got behind this sunday session since it started, so let’s aim to keep it that way! The famous Jacobite STEAM TRAIN rumbles in around 2.20pm and makes a special stop for us, so gather on the STATION PLATFORM bring your TRAIN-THEMED SONGS and just roll with the not-too-serious ride folks!
With special thanks to Scotrail and the West Highland Community Rail Partnership who support and make this event possible.
Wind down the weekend or kick it into Monday! Make your way to your favourite village spot, to finish off another fabulous festival weekend… til we do it all again in 2024! Session pickers welcome at:
Boathouse Café (open Sunday til 3pm)
Soundbites Café (open Sunday til 5pm)
Arisaig Hotel (open Sunday til 10pm)
