Edinburgh based Cow Cow Boogie are back!

If you fancy catching a massive dose of high octane rockabilly, banging blues, heavenly country and western swing then this is for you!

Dunbar 4-piece MacFunkel may have a soft spot for murder ballads, but they also put an alt-country spin on a load of familiar tunes from classic artists.

Matthew Kilner and Neil Birse - two young musicians taking the jazz scene by storm.

Matthew, a 2023 finalist at the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year will be performing with the very talented pianist Neil Birse.

Matthew Kilner is an educator and award winning saxophonist who recently reached the final of the 2023 BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition. Based in Glasgow he performs regularly with many of Scotland’s esteemed musicians in jazz clubs and festivals around the UK and abroad including Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and the 2023 Regensburg Jazz Festival.

Neil Birse studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he was pianist and assistant MD to the renowned Guildhall Jazz Singers. A passionate educator and performer, Neil leads workshops in schools and performs regularly in various ensembles taking inspiration from jazz, folk, classical music and rock to empower young musicians.

Beautifully crafted original contemporary jazz alongside fresh reimagined classics.

Sophie Bancroft (song writer, composer, jazz singer) and Tom Lyne (jazz bassist) have been performing together for over two decades to great acclaim. They perform original contemporary jazz based songs alongside reimagined jazz classics and covers of the likes of Suzanne Vega and Joni Mitchell. Having performed with legends such as Liane Carroll, US pianist Louis Durra, Dave Milligan, Karine Polwart, Martha Reeves, Kevin MacKenzie, Brian Kellock and Charlie Hunter.

They also play in jazz festivals around the UK, Europe and North America and were heralded as a “must see” at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, New York. They recently completed a tour round Scotland through the prestigious Scotland on Tour initiative while promoting their album “Monday Nights”. Sophie’s latest project is as MD and songwriter for Dementia the Musical which will tour Scotland in Autumn.

“Bancroft & Lyne are first-class jazz performers, improvisers and songwriters.”
THE WHOLENOTE, Canada

"Monday Nights - an album of the highest class, superbly produced, and entertaining"
JAZZVIEWS

Keith McInally is an acoustic singer-songwriter based in North Berwick. His most recent release (Icy Water) is about the power of cold water therapy, based on his experience of open water swimming in North Berwick.

He also has a passion for acoustic covers, from classic rock to modern pop, where he breathes new life into some of the world's most beloved songs. Keith has made a name for himself online by putting his own spin on popular songs from across the musical spectrum, achieving over 50 million streams on Spotify.

Eileen Hunter (vocals/piano) and Kevin Mackenzie (guitar) - Beautiful standards and originals to kick the afternoon off!

Eileen Hunter is a well respected and experienced performer having sung all over the country from concert halls and theatres (Royal Albert Hall, Savoy Theatre, Open Air Theatre Regents Park) to the more intimate surroundings of London’s famous jazz venues (The 606 Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, The Stables, The Elgar room). She has performed at various festivals including at the 606 Club for The London Jazz Festival.

Kevin Mackenzie lives in Scotland and has built a career in Jazz, Scottish Traditional Music and as a session guitarist.

His own projects have included Kevin Mackenzie’s Vital Signs, the Kevin Mackenzie Quartet and Trio, Swirler, Trio AAB, Cool Groove,Kevin Mackenzie’s Cyber Jazz and PRIME. Some musicians that have been involved in these groups include Ari Hoenig, Julian Arguelles, Loren Stillman, Donny McCaslin, Ben Perowsky, Boris Kozlov, Martin France and many others.

Kevin released ‘Another New Horizon’ in 2004 that featured some of Scotland’s leading Folk and Jazz talents. The recording received CD of the week in the Guardian and CD of the Month in the Observer.

He teaches guitar privately as well as being a regular tutor at the Tolbooth in Stirling is part of the faculty at the Royal Conservatoire Jazz department and the Traditional Music department.

“an international-class jazz player” The Herald

"a conspicuously inventive soloist." the Scotsman

“Mackenzie demonstrates a composer's ear and vision that equals his improvising skills” The Guardian

“..an excellent example of what's going on north of the border” The Observer

a perfect contribution that completes an urbane study in measured jazz improv. Garry Booth BBC Music Magazine

A stalwart of the Dunbar Music Festival first playing with us 20 years ago!

Stewart is a solo Scottish singer with a touch of Irish and country music who loves to involve the audience in a sing-along!

Pianist Eileen has called on her extensive network of talented performers to bring together a wonderful afternoon of jazz.

2.30 - Eileen Hunter (vocals/piano) and Kevin Mackenzie (guitar) - Beautiful standards and originals to kick the afternoon off! Read more

3pm - Introducing the new young quartet, "Blue Room" - talented pupils from the Edinburgh Academy Big Band.

3.40 - Sophie Bancroft (vocals/guitar) and Tom Lyne (double bass) - beautifully crafted original contemporary jazz alongside fresh reimagined classics. Read more

4.45 - Matthew Kilner and Neil Birse - two young musicians taking the jazz scene by storm. Matthew, a 2023 finalist at the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year will be performing with the very talented pianist Neil Birse. Read more

Fresh from a packed summer of music and beer festival events, this imaginative four-piece will be sprinkling their own brand of Bluegrass dust on classic tunes by artists such as Doctor Dre, Britney Spears and Panjabi MC.

Once upon a time Dunbar-resident, schooled in Chinese, James Brodie is now back in his native Edinburgh.

On barefooted acoustic guitar, he plucks nonsense from nothing, setting semi-improvised comical rambles to simplistic chord progressions. Eclectic.

Dunbar's regular meet up of trad musicians come together for an extended session especially for the Festival. Expect an array of traditional Scots and Irish tunes, and an eclectic range of musicians ably led by Barry Stalker.

If you're a player, bring your instrument and join in. Or just enjoy a beer or two and some fabulous music.

racecar lean into their retro-reverent, forward facing musical sensibilities to create emotionally impactful, frisson-inducing pop met with playful, genre-bending sophistication.

Their debut album Orange Car turned heads with its sheer ambition and eclecticism, earning two BBC Introducing ‘Track of the Week’ accolades with singles Flood and Better Than You Know. Now, backed by Creative Scotland and a successful crowdfunding campaign, the trio are soon to release their second album, Pink Car.

The Lost Boys are a 4-piece function band hailing from East Lothian, known for their eclectic setlist that spans from the 60s classics to today's chart-toppers.

Their lineup features:
- Craig Hodgson on Lead Vocals and Bass Guitar
- Jonathan Burns on Lead Guitar
- Glen Muir handling Keys, Sax, and Guitar
- Dale Muir on Drums

Whether you're into timeless hits or the latest tunes, The Lost Boys have you covered!

Blending their acoustic roots with modern production and a live band sound. Bird Cage Theatre create songs which are both anthemic, yet intimate.

Now with five successful tracks already released, the band are set to release their new single ‘Broken’ on the 4th of October.

Their performance for Dunbar Music Festival will be as a trio.

Now songwriter and leader of his own band “Dougie Burns & The Cadillacs” Dougie was one half of the Acoustic Blues Duo Bluebelly for around 15 years. Bluebelly played the Dunbar Festival for many years. He has toured with Seasick Steve and supported many artists including Albert Lee, Iain McNabb, Nine Below Zero, Dona Oxford  and many others.

Dougie and The Cadillacs tour the UK extensively appearing at festivals from Looe in Cornwall to Belladrum in the Scottish Highlands. Dougie was a music journalist who wrote a fortnightly column for The Press and Journal. Dougie hosts a very successful  monthly acoustic music gathering in Inverness which he has been running for over 10 years. This acoustic music gathering attracts guests locally and from all over the world. During the lockdown he continued to host this music via Facebook Live with the page “Dougie Burns Acoustic Music Night” which now has over 1200 members.

Dougie presented the show fortnightly from home. This show had guests from all over the Highlands , throughout the UK and the United States. Online Performances are stored on the page and Dougie and all of his guests can be seen by visitors to the page. 

Dougie is accompanied to Dunbar this year, by the lead guitarist from the Cadillacs Sye Murray. Sye is an accomplished slide guitar and Dobro player. He has played with several North East Scotland bands such as , The Binsness Blues Boys, Mamas Brand New Bag and The Buck Band to name a few. Lovers of Blues and Rock n Roll should come along to see this Duo on Saturday night at The Castle Hotel.

Planet Earth Rock and Roll is a long running psychedelic night in Portobello.

They are excited to be bringing their intergalactic vinyl selections and mind expanding visuals to the Dunbar Music Festival.

The Cherry Pinks have been no strangers to the live music scene since they began in 2018.

From promoting small town venues and opening main stages their growing coverage has seen their music expand listeners worldwide and recently gained recognition after launching their Album "Others" in 2023 after a track "Stolen Dreams" was assigned to BBC World on 3 and added to BBC Sounds gaining airplay.

Inspired by mixed influences of styles and sounds , they welcome their growing followers to the curiosity of what comes next .....

Join Euan, Iain and Andrew for an evening of stories and dancing.

A traditional ceilidh with plenty of craic. Sing and clap along, or test your feet with a dance or two.

Bring the family to dance the night away. All under 18 ticket holders must be accompanied by an adult.

Dunbar favourites Rollin’ Sky are back to play a mix of Americana, Rock ’n’ Roll, Blues, Folk and some original songs too.

Roy Moller was conceived in Toronto, born in Edinburgh, grew up in Leith and lives in Dunbar.

A member of John Peel favourites Meth OD and instrumental outfit The Wow Kafe, whose debut single Who Will Apologise To The Emperor (*utterly ace”- NME) featured his lead guitar, Roy released his first solo single in 2003 and collaborated with guitarist Stevie Jackson on several of the latter’s songs for Belle & Sebastian.

“A week ago I’d never heard of him, now I’m his biggest fan,” enthused BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley, prior to featuring Roy playing sessions in his own right and as a member of Scottish supergroup Jesus, Baby! fronted by Davy Henderson.

Roy was also guitarist in psychedelic garage band The Store Keys, backing The Poets’ George Gallacher on his last single.. Accompanied by guitarist Dave Paul (The Postcards/The Letting Go), Roy will perform selections from his solo albums, the latest of which, Songs from Be My Baby ("a gorgeous, involving and very moving work of exquisite and heartfelt songcraft" - Louder than War), explores his discovery of his Canadian heritage and his subsequent adoption. Roy and Dave also draw on tunes by the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Ronnie Lane and Gene Clark for their Americana-flavoured sets.

Dara Dubh - harp unleashed and a new voice in Indie-pop.

Hailing from Northern Ireland and quickly developing a name for herself in the Scottish music scene, Dara Dubh is a multifaceted musician who weaves catchy lyricism through her experimental harp style to create a new sound in popular music.

BC Camplight is the moniker of maverick songsmith and pianist Brian Christinzio. The Philadelphian turned Mancunian is considered one of indie music’s most forward-thinking artists with a discography which acts as a soundtrack to a life rife with bad fortune, mental illness, running afoul of the law, and ultimately absolute redemption.

Support Michael McGovern is a Glasgow-based songwriter and performer who draws influence from his roots, blended with the style of classic artists like Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan.

Back after last year's standing room only debut Festival performance.

Join Mark and his 11 piece Ukulele Band for some familiar tunes, and maybe join in for a bit of a sing-along too!

Enjoy the sublime sounds of this classically trained and award-winning acoustic guitar player Nico G.

Putting his own slant on familiar tunes blended with original compositions, Nico's innovative arrangements and overlying melodies are made possible by the combination of exquisite fingerpicking and flat picking techniques.

Sean Bissett is a guitarist based in Perth Scotland. An early found interest in improvisation and all things music has led Sean on a near 20 year journey resulting in a unique style of playing heavily influenced by the greats of Jazz, Funk, and Soul to mention a few.

Temple of the Dead Moth is a one man bluesy/country grunge act that has been described as “smoke and liquor infused death country”.

It is a creation of Andrew John Cairns which started as a solo show and eventually morphed into a 5 piece band, touring the UK and Germany in 2016 and 2017, before returning to a solo act.

Barring a 2020 internet livestream, Dunbar Music Festival will be the first Temple of the Dead Moth gig since 2018. Expect chunky guitar rhythms, pounding foot drums and low, gruff vocals.

Now songwriter and leader of his own band “Dougie Burns & The Cadillacs” Dougie was one half of the Acoustic Blues Duo Bluebelly for around 15 years. Bluebelly played the Dunbar Festival for many years. He has toured with Seasick Steve and supported many artists including Albert Lee, Iain McNabb, Nine Below Zero, Dona Oxford  and many others.

Dougie and The Cadillacs tour the UK extensively appearing at festivals from Looe in Cornwall to Belladrum in the Scottish Highlands. Dougie was a music journalist who wrote a fortnightly column for The Press and Journal. Dougie hosts a very successful  monthly acoustic music gathering in Inverness which he has been running for over 10 years. This acoustic music gathering attracts guests locally and from all over the world. During the lockdown he continued to host this music via Facebook Live with the page “Dougie Burns Acoustic Music Night” which now has over 1200 members.

Dougie presented the show fortnightly from home. This show had guests from all over the Highlands , throughout the UK and the United States. Online Performances are stored on the page and Dougie and all of his guests can be seen by visitors to the page. 

Dougie is accompanied to Dunbar this year, by the lead guitarist from the Cadillacs Sye Murray. Sye is an accomplished slide guitar and Dobro player. He has played with several North East Scotland bands such as , The Binsness Blues Boys, Mamas Brand New Bag and The Buck Band to name a few. Lovers of Blues and Rock n Roll should come along to see this Duo on Saturday night at The Castle Hotel.

A loose collective of 30-odd players bringing Cumbia, Brazilian and Cuban music alive with big band flair.

This party in Lauderdale Park is not to be missed!

Hank Broon’s Bairns play a heady blend of country, blues, folk and jazz featuring original material and tasty covers.

The sound of acoustic guitars, mandolin, banjo and harmonica is complemented by strong vocals and tight harmonies.

Consisting of members of Glasgow Americana legends The Hellfire Club their gigs can be rowdy and raucous one minute, moving and emotional the next.

Think Johnny Cash meets Nina Simone in Glasgow’s Gallowgate. Fresh from gigs in Belladrum and Dunoon Burgh Hall they’re set for a string of live performances in the year ahead.

Fresh from representing Scotland at Cambridge Folk Festival, Edinburgh-based roots folk trio Paper Sparrows' offer up a sound which centres on their distinctive twin-acoustic guitar style, finger-picking, harmonies and double bass.

Arrangements draw upon 60s folk-revivalists such as Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Dylan and Donovan up to contemporary acts like Dave Rawlings, Kris Drever and the Milk Carton Kids.

"Rich songwriting and sterling performances" - Shindig! Magazine
"Highly recommended" - Celtic Connections

Alex Cornish is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter based in Dunbar. He has had singles spending weeks on end on the Radio 2 playlist, sessions for Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 1, BBC Radio Scotland, The Sunday Times’ “hottest download of the week”. Alex's songs have featured on hit TV Shows “The Big C”, “Private Practice” and others.

Martha Cornish is Alex’s daughter and an accomplished performer and songwriter in her own right. Following a cameo at Alex’s last Dunbar gig in 2022, Martha has performed solo sets at the last two Dunbar Music Festivals as well as supporting a range of artists visiting the area.