May 5th saw the show at Edinburgh TradFest split in two halves - a set from avant folk vocalist and composer Fiona Soe Paing, followed by this year’s special commission “For The Love of Trees” created by harpist, singer and composer Mary Macmaster. 

From May 2 to May 12, 2025, Edinburgh will host the latest edition of Tradfest, a festival bringing together traditional music, folk film, and storytelling across an assortment of venues in the city. Now a fixture in Edinburgh’s cultural calendar, this 11-day event offers a broad and varied program that reflects both Scotland’s rich heritage and a wider global perspective, drawing artists and audiences from near and far.

During the successful 2024 edition, which featured standout performances from Dàimh and The Fretless featuring Madeleine Roger, theQR.co.uk noted Edinburgh Tradfest’s commitment to showcasing both emerging voices and established names across the folk and traditional music spectrum. Now, as the festival prepares for its 2025 run from 2 to 12 May, the first wave of gigs has been announced, reflecting this ongoing dedication to…