Canadian duo to bring twist on trad music to Speyfest

ONE of Scotland’s longest-running traditional music festivals is to feature a debut from a popular Canadian duo this weekend.

The East Pointers will bring their contemporary twist on Celtic music all the way from the east of Canada to the north-east of Scotland for Speyfest in Moray.

Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Jake Charron and Tim Chaisson have built a reputation for their electrifying live performances, drawing on a blend of folk, pop, and Celtic traditions.

“We really can’t wait to play at Speyfest,” said Charron. “We love Scotland so much and always love the opportunity to come back and play somewhere new.”

The East Pointers carry a deep sense of pride in representing Canadian traditional music on the global stage.

For them, the ties between Scotland and Prince Edward Island run deep, stemming from the waves of Scottish settlers who arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Chaisson said: “Boatloads of Scottish folks came to Prince Edward Island back in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

“A lot of them settled in pretty isolated communities, so the culture stayed really strong – music and stories were right at the heart of this and has definitely informed our style of playing and love for the tradition today.”

This connection between east Canada and north-east Scotland is set to add an extra layer of resonance to their appearance at Speyfest.

Chair Ashleigh MacGregor said: “Both regions hold a deep appreciation for our cultural heritage, kept alive through music, storytelling, and community spirit.

“It will be incredibly special to have The East Pointers take to the Speyfest stage for the first time, blending their innovative sound with the traditional roots that bind Scotland and Canada together.

“We hope The East Pointers will feel right at home and reckon our shared traditions and the band’s energy will really capture the hearts of the Speyfest audience.”

The band’s love for Scotland is strong, while their ability to meld various influences has propelled them to stages across the globe, from international festivals to intimate venues in Australia, Japan, Mexico, Europe and the US.

With a viral dance to their latest release Misty Morning doing the rounds on TikTok, The East Pointers are known for their connection with their fans and producing high-energy sets that keep crowds dancing.

“We hope to see lots of dancing and singing from the Speyfest crowd and hopefully we can win over a few more fans in the process,” said Chaisson.

Speyfest runs this year from July 25-27