Despite some challenging circumstances over the past year, An Lanntair’s Between Islands music project has achieved some very positive results. Originally intended to be seen as a series of live events, the initiative had to be completely redesigned to take account of lockdown, resulting in the commissioning of new recordings by the contributing musicians. A CD of this work was then released at the end of last year and now the original ambition to bring a performance to the stage is to be realised as part of HebCelt’s 2021 Survival Sessions.
The project, which is funded by LEADER, encourages collaboration throughout the Northern and Western Isles, and it is through their continued support that this unique performance has been made possible.
Project coordinator Alex Macdonald explains: “Originally we intended to bring all the musicians together for last year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival, so we are delighted that it can finally happen. It’s especially gratifying as despite having produced work together during lockdown, it will also be the first time some of those taking part will finally meet up in person. We are therefore extremely grateful to LEADER for their support in enabling this very special gathering to happen, not least as the online format will ensure it can be accessed worldwide.”
Those due to take part are Kris Drever; Willie Campbell; Arthur Nicolson; Kathleen Macinnes; Jane Hepburn Macmillan; Jenny Keldie; Maggie Adamson; Neil Johnstone, and Saltfishforty, with the concert opening the livestreamed HebCelt on the evening of Wednesday 14 July.
Musician Willie Campbell said: “We are all excited at the prospect of having the opportunity to finally get together and play the music live. We are also very much looking forward to being the first of the livestreamed events for this year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival. Between Islands is all about collaboration, and I think the music project is an excellent example of how that can work, even in the most testing times.”
