ADAM HOLMES AND THE EMBERS

Who are these guys?

Adam is a 27 year old Edinburgh-born singer/songwriter and one of the brightest rising stars on the UK roots music scene. He has actually been to Ceòl Cholasa before. Back in 2014 Adam came as part of Rura and left his mark on us all. Indeed, he had such an impact on one of team that all we have heard from them for the last 4 years are Adam Holmes songs!

Since then Mr Holmes has gone on to form Adam Holmes and the Embers and found a sound which owes as much to the Caribbean as it does to Carinish. In fact, defining the genre Adam operates in isn’t easy. It’s folk, but it’s also soul. It’s somehow both African and Americana. But always delivered in a Scottish voice, with a Scottish sensibility. Whatever you call it, it’s seriously impressive stuff.

Exactly how impressive we hear you ask. Well, his three albums have been nominated for Scottish Album of the Year in 2014, 2017 and 2018. He has been twice nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. His records have been produced by John Wood (he was producer for John Martyn’s seminal Solid Air) and Simon Heyworth (co-producer of Tubular Bells). His second album, Brighter Still, features two time BRIT award winner Eddi Reader on backing vocals throughout. He has shared bills with the likes of Laura Marling, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson, Jason Isbell, The Avett Brothers, Sturgill Simpson and Chvrches amongst many others. That impressive enough for you?!

I should think so! Check out these videos to see for yourself.

Why bring them to Colonsay?

Adam Holmes and The Embers are going to stretch the definition of what you’d expect to hear at a ‘folk festival’ and we welcome that wth open arms. The 4 band members paint a wide sonic landscape and populate it with gorgeous songs of loss, hardship, love and, above all, hope. Many have an anthemic quality, which will lodge them firmly in your brain for weeks to come. In our wee hall, to an audience of just over 200, it is going to be glorious!

When can I see them?

Adam and the boys will almost certainly be playing twice. At the moment, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon gigs seem the most likely, but as always, this is subject to change. Regardless of when they play, they are sure to blow the roof off!

How do I get to see them?

By purchasing a ticket of course!  Festival passes for Ceòl Cholasa 2019 are £80 and can be bought online (just follow the link). The pass gains you entry to all the concerts in the hall, the stomping late night Ceòl Ceilidh and the workshops. It also entitles you to a seat at hotel gigs (though this is strictly first come, first served).

Remember, Ceòl Cholasa is a limited, bijou event. It’s best to purchase your ticket as soon as possible as then you can rest assured that you will be one of a maximum of only 250 people attending the best wee music festival in the west!