Scottish Band Brings Ancient, Modern Traditional Tunes to Berkeley on Thursday

By Michael Kornfeld 

Scotland’s Battlefield Band brings an inspired mix of ancient and modern traditional music and song to Berkeley on Thursday, March 28.

The group, founded in 1969 and named after the “Battlefield” area of Glasgow, will perform at the Frieght & Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley's home of traditional music, at 2020 Addisson St.

Performing under their banner “Forward with Scotland’s Past,” Battlefield Band remains at the forefront of the Scottish music scene after more than 40 years and was named Scottish Folk Band of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2011. 

“What the internationally renowned Irish band, the Chieftains, have done for traditional Irish music, Battlefield Band are doing for the music of Scotland,” according to Billboard.

An ever-evolving ensemble, over the years new members have brought with them new ideas, music, instruments, attitudes and influences leading to continued creativity, freshness and enthusiasm.

The current lineup includes young multi-instrumentalist Ewen Henderson, guitarist-vocalist Sean O’Donnell, fiddle prodigy Alasdair White and bagpipe virtuoso Mike Katz. B

Battlefield Band’s new album, Room Enough for All, was released this month.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $22.50 in advance and $24.50 at the door.

For more information, visit www.thefreight.org or call (510) 644-2020. More information on the band may be found online at www.battlefieldband.co.uk.