The Orkney Folk Festival Open Stage is – as it says on the tin – a stage open to all: soloists or groups; singers, musicians or both. With a slot at the following year’s festival up for grabs, it’s a hard-fought competition – and one that has been credited with boosting the careers of many of it’s former participants.
Over the last 14 years, the Orkney Folk Festival Open Stage has encouraged a wealth of new musical talent to come forward, offering the chance to perform a short set in the midst of the busy folk festival weekend, in front of an audience and panel of judges.
Many of those who have taken p
art have gone on to further success at similar competitions – including the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections – having received a greatly enhanced profile just from taking part. Previous entrants include Jessica Burton, Broken Strings, Louise Bichan and Jennifer Austin, Maggie and James Nicolson, Fiona Driver, No Soond, and Maggie Adamson, to name just a few.
Further information this year’s Open Stage – including entry dates, and where and when it will take place – will be made available in due course. This may be quite close to the festival itself this year (2018) as we are moving the Open Stage to Stromness’ new outdoor stage – with sign-ups on the day.
In the meantime, for further information you can get in touch with the Open Stage team on openstage@orkneyfolkfestival.com
