Vishtèn dazzle audiences with their fiery blend of traditional French songs and original instrumentals, fusing Celtic and Acadian genres with a modern rock sensibility and indie-folk influences. These three “high voltage musicians” (Le Guéret, France) have crafted a unique brand of neo-traditional music that combines extensive archival research, original compositions, traditional French Acadian songs and virtuosic instrumentals. The infectious rhythms of tapping feet and lilting mouth music blend seamlessly with the fiddle, guitar, accordion, octave mandolin, whistles, piano, bodhrán and jaw harp to offer a musical experience that illustrates their wide sense of the world, and breathes new energy and beauty into traditional sounds.
Cradled in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, on Canada’s East coast, Prince Edward Island is home to a small but thriving French-speaking community, with a rich tradition of song and instrumental music. Vishtèn have been recognised as ambassadors of this francophone culture around the world. The trio comprises multi-instrumentalists Emmanuelle and Pastelle LeBlanc from the Evangeline Region of Prince Edward Island, and Magdalen Islands’ native, Pascal Miousse. Together, they pay homage to their traditions and to the historic and strong musical connections between their two island Acadian communities.
Support by:
Galleon Blast
With a selection of rum-soaked songs and shanties, Galleon Blast whip up a squally strumming storm.
Galleon Blast feature banjos, whistles, accordions and fiddles from members of The Family Mahone, Full House and Mark Radcliffe and Foes, including the pirate DJ himself Mr.Radcliffe – the Jack Sparrow of the Radio 2 Folk Show. Actually, make that the Jack Duckworth of the Radio 2 Folk Show… Delivering traditional tunes and many a seafaring classic from The Dubliners, The Waterboys, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy, The Fisherman’s Friends and Ewan MacColl; this is a full-on broadside of buccaneering beat.
This event is part of Manchester Folk Festival – a celebration of English folk in all its forms, from indie to traditional, familiar names alongside exciting new voices. From 19-22 October in and around HOME, the whole festival takes place in one area of Manchester over one weekend. The Festival presents an incredible music line-up, as well as craft workshops, film, a proper pub singaround, artists in conversation and a relaxed Festival Hub where you can watch the world go by. Friendly, inclusive and full of opportunities for discovery, it will have the spirit of a festival in a field, in the heart of the city.
