SFF 2026 - Evening Concert - Friday 20 November

Information

Doors open at 7:00pm

Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen

Rachel Davis & Darren McMullen ignite the stage with a bold, fiery blend of Celtic tradition and contemporary folk energy. Their music is a thrilling fusion of driving rhythms, haunting melodies, and masterful instrumentation—at once deeply rooted and refreshingly modern. With a dynamic mix of vocals, fiddles, guitar, banjo, mandolin, viola, bouzouki, and whistles, they breathe new life into age-old tunes while crafting original songs that feel instantly timeless. Every performance is a vibrant journey through sound—passionate, precise, and irresistibly alive.

With over a decade of international touring and recording as core members of the award-winning Cape Breton Celtic supergroup Còig, Rachel and Darren are now forging a new path with their latest collaborative project, Home. This bold new venture has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the 2024 Music Nova Scotia Award for Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year, and earning nominations from both the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the East Coast Music Awards.

Rachel Davis, a masterful fiddler and the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award winner for Traditional Singer of the Year, is known for her emotive playing and rich, expressive voice. Darren McMullen, a versatile and highly respected multi-instrumentalist, brings deep musicality and rhythmic drive to the duo’s sound. Between them, they have performed across Canada, the U.S., U.K., Denmark, Belgium, and Australia, with multiple East Coast Music Awards and a JUNO nomination to their names. Set to release a highly anticipated new album in June 2026, Rachel & Darren continue to expand their artistry while staying grounded in the Celtic traditions that inspire them.

Gordon Gunn

Gordon Gunn has been described as "one of the most exciting and innovative fiddle players of our times. ”Gordon has released two albums for Greentrax Records, “Shoreside” and the 2015 release “Wick to Wickham”. These were released to much critical acclaim and brough this music to a wider audience at home and abroad. Gordon is also a founder member of Scottish fiddle band Session A9; with whom he has recorded and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe. Gordon is also a respected fiddle tutor, composer, session musician and producer. His compositions have been recorded by many artistes including American fiddler Rodney Miller, and McGregor, Brechin & O'Headra, to name but a few. Gordon has also taught many workshops for Feisean nan Gaidheal, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Newcastle Folk Works, Orkney Trad Music Project, Feis air an Oir, UHI’s Applied BA Music Course and has also taught in Canada, USA and in New Zealand.