Fèis Phàislig hosts their 10th anniversary concert.
Fèis (f-ey-sh) translated into English means festival, Phàislig, translated means Paisley. Fèis Phàislig or Paisley Festival has just celebrated their 10th anniversary. A Fèis is usually not a festival like Glastonbury or TRSMT but a place where young people can go to learn traditional Scottish music. They are present all over Scotland, from the Highlands and Islands down to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Fèis Phàislig hosted their 10th anniversary concert in a sold-out Paisley Town Hall. The lineup featured some massive names in the Gaelic and Trad world, such as Josie Duncan, Ellen MacDonald, Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson. As well as Fèis tutors, including Fèis Phàislig director, Grant McFarlane.
The night was hosted by renowned singer, weather woman and ‘Speak Gaelic’ presenter, among many other accolades, Joy Dunlop, who donned Fèis Phàislig’s new tartan on the night.
Both halves of the night were opened by first the Kilbarchan Pipe Band and then the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band. Both were very patriotic and set up the audience for a fantastic night.
The real highlight was seeing the young musicians of Fèis Phàislig take the stage to prove the future of Trad music is in safe hands. The concert featured past and present students, including the Fèis choir, who recently won first place at the Royal National Mòd in the ‘Under 13 Choral Unison Learners’ section. Songs written by former students Jessica Fraser and Lisa Grey were performed, these two also performed in the Ceilidh Trail ensemble.
A ceilidh trail is an opportunity for some of these young musicians to travel around Scotland and earn money playing gigs, possibly for the first time. These are the faces you will be seeing more often in the near future.
Not only were Fèis students involved, The Ubuntu Band was comprised of Students learning African drumming. This young and talented group featured in the finale with every single performer of the night to perform the Fèis song: Òran Fèis Phàislig, written by Gillebrìde MacMillan.
Fèis Phàislig have been very important to the development of the Gaelic language in the Renfrewshire area as their numbers have continued to grow year on year. The best way to celebrate the last decade was through a concert featuring all those who have had an effect on the development of this organisation.
