Following the huge success and popularity of Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook over the last 15 years, the show will be playing at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries for the first time on Tuesday 14th December – bringing festive musical cheer that will warm hearts and get toes tapping.
Phil and a selection of Scotland’s finest folk musicians will hit the road for seven shows, dishing out heart-warming entertainment in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Stirling, Perth and Dumfries. This year will see the show return live and in full-force, following 2020’s Virtual Christmas Songbook.
The performances will feature modern and traditional Christmas music and impeccable musicianship that tugs at your heartstrings, as well as hearty anecdotes, making it “the perfect way to fill up your festive fuel tank” (The Scotsman).
Phil will be joined by some of the best musicians from the Scottish folk world including Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr and Kevin McGuire, along with a special guest brass band.
Phil Cunnginham said: “We can’t wait to hit the road again and bring the Christmas Songbook to Dumfries for the first time. Things were a little different last year with our first ever Virtual Christmas Songbook and I’m delighted that we’ll be back in full swing in front of live audiences again this year.
“The show has grown so much in the last 15 years and has become a seasonal staple for people across Scotland. As always I’ll be joined by my old friends, who happen to be some of the best folk artists in the country. We’ll be bringing festive cheer to Dumfries – we can’t wait to see people up and dancing!”
Phil Cunningham is a brilliant and innovative instrumentalist, with the fastest fingers in the West. He is fondly remembered from his days with Silly Wizard and Relativity and as the quick witted musical partner of the great Shetland fiddler, Aly Bain.
Also widely recognised from his television and radio presenting, Phil is a true ambassador for traditional music, having been involved in some of the seminal programmes that enabled Scottish music to walk tall. Phil also has the gift of the gab – his effortless banter can have a packed hall falling about in the aisles.
He will be joined by an impressive mix of lead vocalists, including the inimitable Eddi Reader, who has celebrated a career spanning over three decades and has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling performers, as well as Karen Matheson OBE, recognised the world over as the haunting lead vocalist of Celtic supergroup Capercaillie and award-winning Orcadian roots singer and guitarist Kris Drever.
The line-up also includes multi-instrumentalist John McCusker, one of Scotland’s most accomplished and versatile musicians, Ian Carr, known for his original and eclectic approach to traditional guitar music, and highly sought after double bassist Kevin McGuire.
The December show will be the perfect way for the whole family to get into the festive spirit and is not to be missed.
Tickets for Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries on Tuesday 14th December can be purchased here: ticketsource.co.uk/midsteepleboxoffice/t-zljmjg
