Ross Couper and Tom Oakes in Concert. Winter Trad 2016.

"5/5 - Couper and Oakes’ infectious dynamism erupts from the stage as the duo shift from Shetland capers to Irish reels; seldom do audiences get a chance to see such a skilful, well-organised and whole-heartedly impassioned performance. Inviting the audience up to have a dance on the stage, this gracious and sincere gig affords the space to sit back and soak up the craft; chatting in between songs, the pair laugh along and regale us with stories of drunken PRs and small-time pub gigs. The pace and energy of this gig are simply what make it the most invigorating experience of the Fringe"

Three Weeks

"Two chairs on a simple wooden stage is all these top class artistes need to take us on a magical, musical odyssey. Shetland and Devon are just about as diametrically opposed as it’s possible to be in the UK. But Couper (from Shetland) and Oakes (from Devon), have struck up a musical harmony while retaining their fiercely distinctive styles"

North West Evening Mail

_ Price: £12 (£10 conc)

_ Venue: The Library Gallery

Tickets

This very special concert marks the opening of Ross and Tom’s second mini festival and teaching weekend ‘Winter Trad’. Tickets for classes available at www.wintertrad.com

Ross and Tom are a fiddle and guitar duo from Shetland/Devon. Playing together for almost a decade they have built up a ‘near telepathic’ playing style that has led to (amongst many other things!) three sell out performances at Celtic Connections, tours in Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and the UK (Including Cambridge, Shetland and many more festivals) Played in front of and audience of 5000+ collaborating with Danish popstar Lukas Graham at Tonder festival. Appeared as the band on the BBC’s ‘Shetland’ drama twice, on multiple TV broadcasts for BBC Alba and provided music for the latest advert by clothing giant Anthropologie.

Ross’ explosive fiddle playing lies at the heart of the mighty Peatbog Faeries. Tom Oakes is a multi-award winning guitarist, flautist and composer who was a founder member of the genre defying Auvo Quartet and now heads up his own ‘Tom Oakes Experiment’ highlighting Oakes as a flautist and composer.

Expect their trademark unrivalled energy and virtuosity interspersed with moments of spine tingling beauty and a warmth and humour that guarantees a smile on the face.

Support acts TBA and an informal session with ‘Winter Trad’ participants to follow the performance.