Eden Court Under Canvas summer festival returning to Highland capital
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Tickets go on sale at midday today for the return of the multi-award nominated, family-friendly Under Canvas festival.
This year's event takes place from July 5 to August 26 in the now iconic stretch-tents on Eden Court’s front lawn with two months of live music, DJ sets and special events.
Street food and local beer, gin and whisky will also be available from outdoor pop-up shacks.
Under Canvas first launched in 2018, showcasing traditional and contemporary Scottish music, and was nominated for event of the year at the 2019 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
A reputation for a fantastic atmosphere with a stellar line-up has made it the go-to summer destination for many locals and tourists in the Highlands.
This year’s programme will provide paid employment for over 170 trad and folk musicians with the festival programmed to support emerging artists from around the Highlands with support from the Witherby Publishing Group Charitable Trust.
An electrifying programme of trad music will be the focus from Wednesdays to Fridays each week, while weekends will feature world music DJ sets and contemporary artists.
The line-up for 2023 includes folk musical creator Finn Anderson, Kim Carnie (Mànran), fiddler Ryan Young, Calum MacPhail, The Canny Band, and Spanish piper Rubén Jarramplas.
Festival favourites Karawane, Man of the Minch, and Brian Ó hEadhra and Fionnag NicChoinnich also make a return.
As well as the regular programme there are a number of special events planned, including a Family Fun Day with games, activities and the opportunity to try your hand at circus skills and green screen filmmaking.
On July 22 the festival tent will transform into a Summer Silent Disco following the return of Highland Pride at the Northern Meeting Park.
One of the festival’s Chill Out Sundays, sponsored by Loch Ness Ice Cream, will also have a fun and informative Eco Edition, featuring a performance from musician and ecologist Will Boyd-Wallis, as well as local organisations sharing work in environment and sustainability, including the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The Highland Weigh.
Eden Court continues to develop its environmental ambitions in response to the climate emergency, and prioritises making Under Canvas as sustainable a festival as possible. Food and drinks will be served in packaging that can be completely hot composted, and the event will not use electric heaters. The festival is also "sub-metered", meaning all energy usage will be recorded and evaluated.
Rebecca Holt, Eden Court chief executive, said: “Under Canvas is one of the most joyful points in Eden Court’s annual calendar, so I’m really excited for us to announce the 2023 programme. Once again, hundreds of talented musicians will perform the best of traditional and Scottish music in the beautiful environment created on our lawn.
"The food and drink shacks will be back open – and we’ve maintained our commitment to affordable tickets, with prices starting from £5.50. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of people again this summer.”
Susannah Armitage, Eden Court’s senior producer, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Under Canvas back to Eden Court for a fifth year. Audiences can expect the same laid-back atmosphere and quality music programming they have come to know and love.
"This year we are welcoming musical acts from as far afield as Iceland, Ukraine, Wales, England and Ireland as well as the best of Highland and Scottish musical talent.
"Come and join us on the lawn this July and August to listen to some of the best musicians on the trad and folk scene alongside quality local food and drinks.”
Ron and Julie Fraser, directors of Fraser Elite, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting an amazing programme of Scottish music at Under Canvas as the festival’s stage sponsor.
"We both loved performing in our younger days but this summer we’re looking forward to relaxing and enjoying the music from the audience tent.”
