Catriona McKay is one of the most innovative and versatile harpists Scotland has brought forth. Perfectly complemented by the equally eaxtraordinary violinist Chris Stoutl she transcends musical borders. We can expect an intimate performance of the duo partners, who have toured together for more than ten years.

Catriona McKay (harp)

Chris Stout (violin, viola)

Already quite a long time ago Ballycotton developed their truly unique way of interpreting traditional music. They call it fantasy folk. Fantasy? You leave the so-called reality behind you at least for a while, paint pictures in your mind. Elfs who meet heroes astray in the moon shadow of entwining woods. Heroes who are not yet confident of themselves and loose themselves in ecstasy, oblivion, in carousing through the night. Ballycotton let us take part in their own world while they are on stage, and in the world they create with their music passing in front of our eyes.

Christina Gaismeier – violin

Harald G. Binder – percussion

With Phønix there will for the first time be an exciting band from Scandinavia on stage at the Wackelsteinfestival. Their modern interpretations bring to flourish the traditional music they love with energy, enthusiasm and originality. Based on Jesper Falch's percussion the accordion (Jesper Vinther) and the clarinet (Anja Præst) soar to high altitudes in balance to the wonderfully clear voice of Karen Mose.

To, once again, add something in a cheerfully senseless way: blink your eyes twice, clap your hands thrice, hop your feet four times to dance and you will join an enchanting flight through the nightly, music-filled woods.

Anja Præst Mikkelsen – bass clarinet, clarinet

Jesper Vinther Petersen - accordion

Centered around the purpely seductive voice of Alp Bora Nim Sofyan moves and entangles us with Macedonian, Turkish, Greek, Kurdish and Armenian melodies. Enriched by the Jazz/Folk compositions of Paul Dangl this varied mix joins into a harmonious entirety, which over the last few years quickly has increasingly enthralled more and more listeners in Austria, Europe and beyond. The carrying voice of Alp Bora is joined equally characteristic with thrilling as well as movingly lyric violin play, jazzy brass sections, a tremoring e-bass and stormily racing percussion.

Alp Bora – vocals, guitar

Daniel Klemmer - percussion