Fairport’s Cropredy Convention takes place, as ever, on the second weekend of August. Here is a little introduction to Skipinnish with founder Angus MacPhail taking on our Q&A.

skipinnish

Skipinnish – the mighty Scots trad machine that boasts a ten album legacy and a fully marketable brand – whisky (natch) and their own Skipinnish Ceilidh House. Both the band and brand Skipinnish was created by Angus MacPhail and Andrew Stevenson in 1999. They blend traditional Gaelic melodies—fiddles, bagpipes, accordions—with modern drums, bass, keyboards and powerful vocals and in 2024, celebrated 25 years together with two huge shows: one at Bught Park in Inverness and another at Edinburgh Castle Esplanade – soon to be topped (read on…).

Angus adds his thoughts to our Crop ’25 Q&A and sends a video that whets the appetite for what should be a riotous set.

Cropredy is a festival with a long history and iconic status. What sets it apart from other festivals and what does it mean to you to play there?

We have heard of how amazing Cropredy is for many years, it feels incredible to be looking forward to actually playing at it!  With the history entrenched in Folk music royalty of Fairport Convention, it is a great honour to be appearing this year!

If it’s your first visit, what are you looking forward to?

We are looking forward to soaking in the magical atmosphere and feeling the rich history of a festival that has become a pinnacle of folk music.

Given the state of the festival programme in the UK with cut backs and cancellations, what’s your view on the UK festival scene? What do you think it would take to restore it to a former glory?

I think the future is bright.  The current issues I hope are short term and the richness of the folk scene will overcome and it will blossom again in the years to come.

Tell us about your plans post-Cropredy. What does the short and long term future hold?

We have our biggest show in Skipinnish history coming up the following month at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.  So all focus will be on that after our very exciting Cropredy debut!

Tent or caravan – or hotel? Or arrive/play/go home?!

Hotel, but we will take things as they come and would happily end up at an all night caravan party!

As a parting shot, Angus adds: “Cropredy is a pinnacle of the UK folk scene, with legendary status borne from its rich history and that of Fairport Convention and all they have done for folk music.  After many years of having it on our wish list of gigs, it feels incredible to be looking forward to appearing this year!“

Fairport’s Cropredy Convention 2025 has officially sold out. There are no official resale channels. You can keep an eye on the Fairport Facebook group here or Twickets, here.

Skipinnish online: Website / Facebook / X / Instagram / Youtube

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