Music & Song
Music has played a prominent part in the festival right from its foundation in 1998. Weaving round and interspersing readings it enhances and expands the poems with which it interacts. Specific musical performances present poetry combined with or set to music, look back at the great ballad or songwriting traditions of past centuries, or recognise its connection with contemporary song and the classics of the 20th century songbook.
Wed 14 March | 7.00-7.40pm | Festival & Exhibitions Launch
Alistair Moffat, St Andrews Saxophone Quartet, Lavinia Greenlaw, Kwame Dawes, Lucilla Sim, Ramskeerie
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Level 2 Foyer
Wed 14 March | 8.00-10.00pm | Kind of Larkin
A celebration of Philip Larkin’s love of jazz from the Dave Batchelor Quintet with special guest, David Hayman
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Auditorium
Wed 14 March | 10.00-11.30pm | Poetry Café: Student Showcase
Presenting new voices in this student poetry showcase
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Bar & Bistro
Thu 15 March | 10.00-11.30pm | Jazz Night at StAnza
Music from the Byre jazz session players with a spot for the occasional poem
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Bar & Bistro
Fri 16 March | 3.30-4.30pm | Filmpoem Live
A unique synthesis, a cleaving together of words, sound and vision
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sat 17 March | 2.15-3.15pm | Whistle
Unique coming-of-age story from Martin Figura, told with insight and gentle humour
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sat 17 March | 3.30-4.30pm | Pulsars – New Music: New Poetry
Music, poetry & text composition in this electro-acoustic performance by Rozalie Hirs
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sun 18 March | 5.00-5.45pm | Psycho Poetica
Hitchcock’s classic film recreated in original poetry and music
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Studio Theatre
Sun 18 March | 10.00-11.30pm | Festival Finale
Western Swing music from the Mending Hearts Trio
The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street – Bar & Bistro