Edinburgh Tradfest: ETF Spotlight

This year’s ETF Spotlight, our showcase concert, will be our biggest and best yet.

This is an annual event designed to throw a light on some of the most exciting new performers in folk and traditional music today. It’a always a lively evening featuring some incredible emerging musicians.

The above video shows, Beatha, one of last year’s amazing bands.

The line-up for this year’s show is as follows:

MIWA NAGATO-APTHORP

Miwa Nagato-Apthorp is an artist and musician based in the Scottish Borders. Her practice draws on folk traditions to bring lesser known perspectives into song, exploring multicultural understandings of history, climate, womanhood and home. Her debut EP Noren, will be released in May 2025.

PARSISONIC

Led by Iranian duo Aref Ghorbani and Amir Hossein Feyzi, Parsisonic is a Glasgow-based quartet presenting fusion music across diverse genres and cultural influences.

Aref is a classically-trained singer and setar player who arrived in Scotland in 2018. His musical journey has grown from his deep connection to Persian music and his experience of migration. Amir is an accomplished composer and producer with a passion for pop, electronic and Iranian music. Together they aim to bridge cultural gaps and create a unique sound that resonates with a broad audience.

The band is completed by Gerardo Cruz on guitar and Erfan Imandar on percussion.

DLÙ

One of the most respected voices of their genre, Dlù is a trad fusion band from Glasgow. Comprising of Moilidh NicGriogair, Zach Ronan, Aidan Spiers, Andrew Grossart, and Seoras Chlad, their eclectic musical backgrounds influence their original melodies and arrangements, giving the band their own distinctive sound.

Their name derives from the Gaelic word 'dlùth', meaning tight-knit and close, a tribute not only to the friendship between members but also to the band’s origins which lie in the Glasgow Gaelic School.

Explore more Tradfest events.

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.