Moniaive Guitar Festival

Weekend music festival featuring musicians who are at the top of their game. Great guitarists but also great entertainers.

The Hunch A 4 piece acoustic band singing and playing a variety of Irish, Folk, Americana, Blues and Latin music with a generous dash of humour. Michael Doonan: Founder member of the legendary 70s folk-rock band Hedgehog Pie, Michael comes from a famous Tyneside musical dynasty - his Dad, John Doonan Snr, was an All-Ireland piccolo champion and founding figure of the UK folk revival in the 60s. As well as the Hunch, Michael fronts The Mighty Doonans folk-rock band, and adds vocals, flute and pipes to many a session from Shields to Sheffield. Bob Thomas: Bob fronted another highly respected folk-rock outfit, Kitsyke Will, and has since lent his wonderful soul-inflected vocal style to The Solicitors, as well as singing, playing percussion and harmonica with The Hunch. Alongside these two are the stunning acoustic guitarist/vocalist Chris Hanks and keyboards/accordionist/vocalist Tony Bacon, both alumni of West Yorkshire’s thriving roots music scene.

Reuben and The Bridge Hugh Reuben has always loved acoustic music, He has been lucky over the years to play with excellent musicians, Often accompanied by piano, guitar, violin and percussion, he is currently playing in the duo, Reuben and The Bridge. Reuben and The Bridge play rock and pop covers but add their own unique, folky twists to them. Bridget is a superb classically trained violinist who now leans heavily on her Irish roots and plays folk fiddle.

Heather Cartwright is an outstanding young guitarist , singer and composer who has recently graduated with a 1st Class Honours from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is already building her reputation by appearing at a number of festivals this summer.

Jenna MacRory Dumfries born, is one of Scotland’s up and coming traditional guitarists who graduated with a degree in Folk & Traditional music at Newcastle University, Jenna draws from a variety of styles. Jenna breathes new life into old tunes through her dynamic solo guitar arrangements. Her intimate style of guitar playing is best experienced through environments which reflect this intimacy, which has led her to perform in unique locations such as bookshops, abandoned theatres and house gigs.

Dougie Mackenzie of Scotland's finest singers of traditional song. He is well-known from appearances at many Scottish and English festivals over the years. Brian Miller is one of the most esteemed singers and guitarists on the Scottish traditional music scene with performing and recording credits including with his daughter Siobhan Miller, The Occasionals, The Singing Kettle and Tom Paxton. He is still a member of The Stars Band with Arthur Johnstone, Charlie Soane and Gavin Livingstone.