Fiona under spotlight with acclaimed folk act Malinky
0 Comments | Derby Evening Telegraph, Mar 2, 2010 | by NIGEL POWLSON
A FOLK triple bill takes us from Derbyshire to Scotland with a short detour through Bolton, picking up musical themes along the way.
Top of the bill at the Derby Assembly Rooms on Saturday night are Malinky, in their second visit to Derby but their first with Fiona Hunter on lead vocals. The singer/cello player replaced Karine Polwart in 2005.
Four-fifths of the band are from north of the border but guitarist Dave Wood adds a bit of local flavour as he hails from Derbyshire. He joins fellow founder members Steve Byrne (vocals, bouzouki, guitar) Mark Dunlop (vocals, whistles, bhodran) and Mike Vass (fiddle).
Feast of Folk organiser Mick Peat says: “They are a delightful five-piece band. They play mostly Celtic ballads and songs that always go down well. They were very popular when they came to Derby before but this is the first chance we have had here to see them with Fiona.”
Formed in Edinburgh in 1989, Malinky quickly established a fine reputation on the folk scene and won the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections. After appearing at the Feast of Folk concert they will tour Germany, Switzerland and Denmark.
Malinky will play the second half of the Derby gig and joining them before the interval is Bernard Wrigley, known as the Bolton Bullfrog.
Bernard is probably best known for his appearances on Phoenix Nights, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Dinner Ladies.
Bernard’s career has spanned four decades playing his hilarious songs and monologues.
Mick says: “Lots of people know and love Bernard and it’s always a pleasure to have him back in Derbyshire.”
Kicking off the concert is a fast-rising young folk talent
dave vass
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