MELFORT MUSIC

The euphonious collaboration between mandolinists Jacob Jolliff and Rain Of Animals (Pepita Emmerichs- fiddle, mandolin & Theodore Barnard- guitar) brings together an explosive mix of their shared musical loves including bluegrass and irish/scottish traditions through the lense of an improvised spirit. After a spontaneous week of jamming around Glasgow and at Shetland Folk Festival in early 25’, the trio were inspired to continue their travels and music making with a combination of their own original material and traditional songs and tunes. All three members have toured prolifically with their own projects (Jacob Jolliff Band, Oh Pep!, Wire & Wool, Good Guy Hank) as well as being in demand session musicians for the likes of Bela Fleck, Yonder Mountain String Band, Tony Trischka (Jacob), Fanny Lumsden, Wayward Jane, Luke Plumb (Pepi) and Barry Nisbet, Harry Bird, Stereo Naked (Theo) and it’s with this plethora of musical experiences that they will approach this adventurous new project.

Melfort Music Weekend 2026

We are delighted to announce the Line up for this years Melfort Music Festival which will take place on 

11, 12 and 13 September 

Friday

Charlie Mckerron and Friends

Charlie Mckerron, Capercaille and Session A9, returns to Melfort and this time he brings Marc Clement, Ross Ainslie and his son Cailean McKerron, with him.

Good Guy Hank

From the harmonious Heartlands of Scotland and the musical metropolis of Melbourne, Australia, Good Guy Hank bring heartbreak, joy and everything in-between with soulful songs, blistering musicianship and three part harmonies galore!

Saturday

Astro Bloc

ASTRO BLOC is a bold and dynamic new folk band that blends deep-rooted tradition with boundary-pushing creativity, producing a thrilling sound that redefines the genre. Featuring BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Eryn Rae, internationally renowned percussionist Paul Jennings, multi-award-winning instrumentalist Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, and the innovative, genre-spanning talent of Gillie O’Flaherty, Astro Bloc is breathing fresh life into the folk scene. With influences from Scotland, Ireland, and beyond, their music offers an exhilarating mix of heritage and innovation.

Oban High School Traditional Music Band

In advance of their appearance at the National MOD the OHS band come to Melfort under the leadership of Sileas Sinclair and Lorne MacDougall.

Sunday

Kris Drever

Kris Drever is a Glasgow based, Orkney born musician. He has won multiple awards including an incredible 7 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards; two shortlist nominations for Scottish Album of The Year (with his trio Lau) and much acclaim for his solo recordings and concerts including winning Best Album of The Year (MG Alba Trad Awards) 2021 for “Where The World Is Thin”.

A phenomenal and prolific artist.

Adam Brown and Dave Foley

Adam and Dave make up half of the dynamic Glasgow band Rura with Adam on guitar and Dave on Bodhran and flute. Adam also is the bodhran player for Imar in fact both have been world champion Bodhran players at one point. We came upon Adam and Dave as a duo at Ceol Cholasa 2024 where Rura were booked to headline. Due to an unfortunate traffic accident they were the only two to make it to the island. Safe to say their impromptu set knocked it out of the park.

The opening night of MM26.

We are very excited to welcome back Charlie McKerron of Capercaille and Session A9 . This time he brings with him the hugely talented Marc Clement (founding member of Blazing Fiddles and Session A9 member since 2007), Ross Ainslie (this ubiquitous multi instrumentalist is formally of the Treacherous Orchestra and Salsa Celtica) and Cailean McKerron ( emerging highland based multi instamentalist in great demand and son of Charlie)

Sharing the stage tonight is Good Guy Hank. This Dunkeld based band ,drawn together by their love of Hank Williams, bring all the heartbreak, joy and everything in between with blistering blue grass country guitar, lightning mandolin, virtuoso fiddle and driving bass

Astro Bloc is a dynamic new force in contemporary folk music that blends deep-rooted tradition with boundary-pushing creativity, producing a thrilling sound that redefines the genre. Astro Bloc are breathing fresh life into the folk scene and with influences from Scotland, Ireland, and beyond, their music offers an exhilarating mix of heritage and innovation.

Each member brings a distinctive background and unique talents - BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2022 Eryn Rae hails from the Scottish Borders, and is one of Scotland’s top fiddlers who absolutely blew away Shetland audiences back in 2023. Multi-award-winning instrumentalist Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín (fiddle) from County Mayo, Ireland, has toured the world with her band LÉDA and international dance shows like Lord of the Dance. Internationally acclaimed percussionist Paul Jennings grew up in Shetland and brings decades of experience performing with bands like Croft No 5 and Treacherous Orchestra, and he performed at Melfort just last year with the Lauren Collier Band. Genre-spanning musician Gillie Ó Flaherty (guitar, synth, bass) draws from his rich Scottish, Irish, Pakistani and New Zealand heritage, adding diverse sonic textures.

The Oban High School Traditional music Band draws on the wealth of talent available at the school and is mentored and lead by Silias Sinclair,Lorne McDougall and our own Finlay Wells. The band prepares for the national mod and many of its members can be seen in sessions around the oban area