It was a festival of traditional music that left us all Reeling!

THE first full weekend of June once again played host to one of Scotland’s biggest traditional music weekends as the Reeling Festival celebrated its biggest and best year yet.

In its third instalment, it didn’t disappoint and indeed, even grew from a two-day festival to a three-day extravaganza adding in a Friday night full of great music.

Headlining the Friday night shenanigans were Tide Lines, who recently released a new album of music dedicated to the city of Glasgow, whilst support was ably provided by the Siobhan Miller Band, Gnoss and Beinn Lee. The Park Bar stage played host to a ceilidh hosted by John Carmicheal—who I’m sure made his way to the festival on foot living as he does, practically across the road from the Rouken Glen Park venue.

Keen festivalgoers were keeping a close eye on weather forecasts in advance of the weekend and it was inevitable that there would be a fair bit of rain across the weekend.

That being said, the heavy downpours on Saturday afternoon didn’t dampen the spirits or indeed the music from St Roch’s Big Band who opened proceedings on the main stage. The Reeling’s main venue might have been huge but the 40-strong contingent on stage filled every square inch delivering a set that underlined just how much experience the group have had had in recent years as they looked at home on the main stage.

As the afternoon continued through to evening, it’s clear that whilst the majority of acts performing are based in and around Glasgow, there is a strong Irish connection in the acts and notable highlights included an incredible solo set from Jack Badcock, originally from Kilkenny, before he was joined on stage for a ‘secret set’ by his Dallahan bandmates who include Ciaran Ryan and Benedict Morris.

LÉDA (Eadaoin ní Mhaicin and Amy Lawrenson) rocked the Park Bar Stage with their dynamic duo before Tarran took over later. Over on the main stage the Ciaran Ryan band rocked out tracks from their new album Wild Card before trad legends Flook performed a mix of classic tracks and newly released tunes. Eddi Reader (above) performed songs from across her career before Ciaran Ryan made his third appearance of the day, this time with Mec Lir.

Closing out the evening were the supergroup which has transcended trad music—Talisk, who drove the crowd in Rouken Glen Park into a frenzy as darkness descended and the lightshow from the stage took over.

Sunday saw a much more favourable day of weather as local band Astro Bloc opened up the festival. Notable performances from Beccy Hill and Charlie Stewart, and a rare solo set from Skerryvore’s Alec Dalglish rocked the Park Bar stage. Headliners on that

particular stage for the evening were the Paul McKenna Band. As usual, a phenomenal mix of traditional and newly composed songs were performed by Paul, who originally grew up a few miles from the festival site in Barrhead—he’d hardly ever have had a more local gig!

Dougie Maclean treated the audience on the main stage to a great singsong where, of course, he performed his iconic hit song Caledonia before giving way to Blazin’ Fiddles who performed one of the most energetic sets of the weekend.

Sunday headliners were local band RURA who always put on a great show with many of their tunes written by local musician David Foley and their sound overall was a joy to behold.

The only complaint from the Reeling Festival? Its already got us Reeling in anticipation for 2026!

Paddy Callaghan is the Operations Manager of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Britain. You can follow him on Twitter: @paddy_box and Instagram: paddy_box and contact him via e-mail at: paddy@comhaltas.co.uk