The Orkney Folk Festival (May 23rd – 26th) will soon be upon us when visitors and locals alike will be spoiled for choice.

Còig a lively Celtic supergroup from Canada’s Nova Scotia, will be performing in Orkney over the Folk Festival period.

Còig, have  announced a series of live dates across the UK this summer as they take their new 2019 album ‘Ashlar’ on tour.

The UK leg of the tour follows a popular series of runs throughout North America for the quartet who continue to stun crowds with their non-traditional, exciting playing of traditional trad music.

Comprising Darren McMullen (guitar, mandolin, mandola, banjo, bouzouki, whistles, flute, vocals), Rachel Davis (fiddle, viola, vocals), Jason Roach (piano) and Chrissy Crowley (fiddle), the four players of Còig grew up and played together in Cape Breton before they ever considered being in a band. The result is a magic and creative combination of musical influences and harmonious sounds.

Crowds at UK venues will be treated to songs from the band’s latest release ‘Ashlar’, meaning ‘a perfect fit’, which was recorded in Dave Gunning’s Wee House of Music studio in Nova Scotia during a brief break in touring.

Fiddler Chrissy Crowley said:

“We wanted every track in this album to fit together perfectly – from lively and original sets to more traditional ballads and energetic covers, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to let audiences hear our new vocal tracks alongside our varied instrumentals and to put on a brilliant show for everyone that comes along.”

The album itself is full of surprises, including Gordon Lightfoot ’60’s classic “Home from the Forest,” featuring vocals from Darren, as well as Rachel’s beautiful version of the Gaelic standard “O Luaidh.” There’s also a set of jigs and reels called “Time & Tide,” inspired by Chrissy’s new-found passion for joining her brother as crew member on a Cape Breton fishing boat, among many other stunning tracks.

You can see the talented quartet at the following UK tour dates:

May 18                 Wiltshire Music Centre, Wiltshire                              Tickets

May 19                 The Fleece Inn, Evesham                                               Tickets

May 20                 Nettlebed Folk Club, Oxfordshire                               Tickets

May 21                 Stapleford Granary, Stapleford                                   Tickets

May 23 – 26        Orkney Folk Festival, Orkney                                       Tickets

May 29                 King’s Palace, London                                                     Tickets

May 30                 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool                     Tickets

May 31                 The Met, Bury                                                                    Tickets

June 1                   CatStrand Arts Centre, Castle Douglas                     Tickets

June 3                   Glenfarg Folk Club, Kinross                                           Tickets

June 5                   Universal Hall, Findhorn, Forres                                 Tickets

June 6                   An Lanntair Stornoway, Stornoway                           Tickets

June 7                   Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh                                   Tickets

June 8                   Tolbooth Theatre, Stirling                                             Tickets