The 4th annual SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival takes place over 16th-18th May 2025 at one of Scotland’s most celebrated events venues, The Vault Arts Centre in Newton Stewart.
Musicians from Scotland, Ireland, England, USA and Canada, along with audiences from all over the world, flock to Galloway for another incredible weekend of bluegrass, Americana, old-time folk and traditional music with concerts, workshops and jam sessions scheduled all weekend. It really is a treat of authentic American folk music from some of the very best musicians in the genre right now.
Project Co-ordinator & Festival Director Nathon Jones said “The distinctive styles of much of modern-day American country, bluegrass and folk music can be traced directly back to the Ulster-Scots and Scots-Irish settlers.”
“The legendary Bill Monroe himself performed in Scotland in 1975 and the country has, since, continued to celebrate those links by hosting events and festivals throughout Scotland.”
“We’re delighted to be supporting so many talented, home-grown, musicians at this year’s festival with artists travelling from all over Scotland for what looks set to be another outstanding weekend of music in Galloway.”
Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, otherwise known as Hildaland, present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichan’s fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawan’s counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly.
One of the UK’s most sought-after bluegrass and old time musicians, Charlotte Carrivick is an experienced and award winning musician and teacher.
Charlotte is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer and songwriter based in Southwest England. She has received particular recognition as one of the leading flatpicking guitarists in the UK, to the extent that she was invited to teach at the prestigious 2024 Bryan Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in North Carolina.
As one half of the The Carrivick Sisters, Charlotte grew up with a love of American Bluegrass and Old Time music alongside her twin sister, Laura, in South Devon. After many years of playing and writing together as well as touring across the UK, Europe and Canada, the duo released their 5th studio album at the end of 2022 to critical acclaim. Charlotte was a founding member of all female bluegrass group, Midnight Skyracer, with whom she toured the UK, Europe and Australia. The band was the first bluegrass band to be signed to Island Records (2020), under which they released their second album, and was nominated for an IBMA Momentum Award (2018). Charlotte also plays in a duo with fiddle player, Kieran Towers and was a member of Cardboard Fox.
Adam Thom is a 23 year old singer-songwriter, originating from Aberdeen. Since making the move to Glasgow in July of 2021 he has been making his mark on the music scene, working alongside some of the finest musicians the city has to offer. With influences such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and The Band, Adam is keeping country and Americana music alive through his songs. His intricate story driven lyrics make Adam sound well beyond his years, as he takes the audience on a journey through his skilled songwriting.
With sold out headline shows under his belt in Glasgow’s famous Blue Arrow Jazz Club, The Glad Cafe and Aberdeen’s Music Hall, Adam is firmly planting his feet in the Scottish music scene and has proved himself to be one to watch.
Eilidh Patterson is a warm, engaging singer songwriter of startling clarity. With songs that cut straight to the heart, delightfully accurate guitar playing, and crystal-clear vocals, Eilidh immediately connects with audiences everywhere.
Having released 5 studio albums and an EP to date, Eilidh (from Derry, N. Ireland) is a hard-working independent artist who is driven by her desire to connect with people. This desire has seen her perform regularly across Northern Ireland and at festivals such as SxSW in Austin TX (3 times), Folk Alliance in Memphis TN, and Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland.
Over the years she has worked with established artists in the folk scene both in the studio and on stage, most notably with Beth Nielsen Chapman. Regularly appearing on TV and radio, Eilidh has taken part in many live broadcasts and programmes for BBC NI and her music is played on radio stations across the UK and Ireland.
The Niche Family, a Glasgow-based folk ensemble, invites you on a harmonious journey through the rich tapestry of Americana and folk music. United by blood harmonies and a shared passion for storytelling, this remarkable trio effortlessly blends tradition with modernity, creating a sound that resonates deep within the soul.
Lead vocalists Lauren Thompson and the Neil brothers, Stuart and Andrew, discovered their enchanting blood harmonies almost serendipitously during a jam session post Lauren and Stuart’s wedding. Rooted in Glasgow, the Neil Brothers’ musical camaraderie, honed over years of collaboration, seamlessly intertwines with the Canadian influence brought in by Lauren. The addition of Aberdonian folk-singer and banjo player, Adam Thom, results in a sound that offers a fresh take on traditional folk music.
The Niche Family burst onto the live music scene with an unexpected debut at Eden Festival’s Main Stage, where they stepped in at the last minute for a cooking tutorial with the late rapper Coolio. This impromptu performance marked the beginning of their journey, and subsequent gigs, including a memorable appearance at Belladrum Festival, showcased their ability to captivate diverse audiences.
In a testament to the band’s magnetic live presence, The Niche Family achieved a remarkable feat by selling out their first-ever headline show at Glasgow’s Glad Cafe before releasing any recorded music. This early success reflects the genuine connection they establish with their audience, captivating listeners with each harmonious note.
The band’s debut single, “Mercy Me,” released via Holy Smokes Records, has garnered critical acclaim. The track’s compelling narrative and enchanting harmonies caught the attention of BBC Radio Scotland, earning it the prestigious title of Single of the Week. This early recognition solidified The Niche Family’s place in the folk and Americana music landscape.
The band went on to release their self-titled debut EP in 2024 accompanied by a sold out show at the Rumshack in Glasgow’s Southside. Americana UK gave the Ep a great review “The closing number ‘Mercy Me’, which had previously been released as a stand-alone single is a wonderfully atmospheric track that perfectly captures the trio’s vocal strengths.”
Tickets for SpringhGrass Bluegrass Festival are on sale now at www.tradmusic.com and www.thevaultartscentre.co.uk and this year’s organisers have advised booking early as last year’s shows sold out very quickly!
Friday 16th May 2025
The Charlotte Carrivick Band + Hildaland + Nathon Jones & Friends
Doors 7pm / £20.00 Adult (over 25) / £15.00 Young Person (12-25)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-vault/t-jznlqop
Saturday 17th May 2025
The Niche Family + Adam Thom + Eilidh Patterson
Doors 7pm / £20.00 Adult (over 25) / £15.00 Young Person (12-25)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-vault/t-moxglqz
Weekend Pass (Concerts & Workshops)
£45.00 Adult (over 25) / £33.75 Young Person (12-25)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-vault/t-jzyvega
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