Perth is set to showcase music, culture and community this October when it hosts The Royal National Mòd 2022. Taking place between the 14th and 22nd October, the nine day event will highlight Perth’s long and rich Gaelic heritage for the first time since 2004, when the city last held The Mòd.
Perth has long been committed to the celebration and development of Gaelic language and culture. The extensive amount of work which continues to go into preparing for the city’s hosting of the 130-year-old Mòd further highlights Perth’s ongoing desire and determination to retain Gaelic as a strong part of the culture of those residing in Perthshire.
More than 50 shows and activities involving around 1,500 musicians and participants will fill over 10 venues the length and breadth of Perth throughout the course of the event, including Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and North Inch Community Campus.
The vibrant programme of fringe concerts, shows, ceilidhs and exhibitions will take place right on the doorstep of Perth’s local businesses, and with thousands of visitors expected to flock to the area for the eight-day festival, it is expected to greatly benefit the city’s local economy.
Local Perth talent will be celebrated across the nine days, especially, with the evening of Saturday 15th October dedicated to the thriving Gaelic culture and traditional music of the region. Entitled Ar Cànan 'S Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music), this special night will not only celebrate the well-known Perthshire raised musicians and singers who have put Perth on the musical map, such as multi-instrumentalist and composer Ross Ainslie, piper Ali Hutton and fiddle player Pete Clark, but also the many community and educational groups who work tirelessly with passion and enthusiasm to ensure the local traditional cultural community continues to thrive. These groups include Perth Gaelic Choir, The Gordon Duncan Experience and The Tayside Young Fiddlers.
From the 15th - 18th October, Perth’s AK Bell Library will showcase items from Perth Gaelic Society’s archive and library. Established in 1880, the Society has always been heavily involved in preserving and promoting Gaelic language and culture, and the library will display the wide range of social activities that its members have enjoyed over the years. The library will also host talks on whisky tastings and the Gaelic language.
Perth’s bars and pubs will also come to life with live music throughout the event, with session nights planned across the city.
James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Perth is renowned for its commitment to Gaelic culture and language, so it is fitting that The Royal National Mòd is returning to the region this year. I’m looking forward to learning and experiencing more of Perth’s rich heritage and unique spirit over the course of the festival and it will be fantastic to celebrate Gaelic music and culture in the city’s fantastic venues.”
Perth and Kinross Council Leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “It’s exciting to see what is planned for the Mòd’s return to Perth in October. This will be a real city-wide celebration of Gaelic culture and heritage and I’m delighted to see so many Perth artists, performers and musicians taking part.”
Nick Williams, CEO, Horsecross Arts, Perth Concert Hall + Perth Theatre, said: “Perthshire is a rich source of talent, and we’ve long championed local acts on our stages. It’s particularly exciting to see so many familiar faces included in the Mòd Fringe Programme from theatre and concert hall regulars Ross Ainslie, Ali Hutton and Pete Clark as well as our own young Celtic big band The Gordon Duncan Experience. There is going to be a fantastic atmosphere in the venues and across the city throughout the nine days of the event and we are delighted to be playing our part in this unique celebration of Gaelic language, music and culture.”
Elsewhere across the programme, Cuirm-Fosglaidh a' Mhòid 2022 (Mòd 2022 Opening Concert) will welcome musical legends and some of the very best Gaelic talent to the Perth Concert Hall. Singers Mairi MacInnes, Arthur Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Darren MacLean will perform alongside an all-star band led by Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson of Mànran fame.
The festival’s finale will see massed choirs marching through Perth High Street on Sunday 22nd October before congregating at the Perth Concert Hall Plaza for a spectacular performance, fittingly rounding off the week-long celebration of music, culture and Gaelic heritage.
Tickets are available for the event’s multiple flagship competitions, including the prestigious Gold Medal, The Lovat and Tullibardine choral contest and the Mòd Drama Final. Hundreds of people of all ages will compete in around 140 competitions across a range of categories covering singing, poetry, music, drama and Highland dancing as well as a new Battle of the Bands event.
More information on The Royal National Mòd is available at www.ancomunn.co.uk. Tickets are available to buy here.
Perth residents can pick up hard copies of the official Mòd 2022 programme from Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre. Copies can also be ordered for postage from Horsecross, Perth by calling 01738 621031.
Friday 30 September 2022