Pete's Posse
Vermont’s own trad roots power trio deliver twin fiddles in tight, wild harmony over high-powered guitar and pounding footwork with mandolin, clawhammer banjo, jawharp and rocking keyboards. Songs and tunes, old and new, lyrical and driving: that’s the multi-generational heart and mind of Pete’s Posse.
Invited to Shetland to lead on the Festival’s Year of Young People project with Young Tradition Vermont, Pete’s Posse is a band composed of acclaimed musician Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo, melodica and vocals), his talented protégé Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, viola, mandolin, foot percussion and vocals) and the uber-dynamic Tristan Henderson (guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, foot percussion and vocals). Together they are three generations of musicians who have come together to create their own electrifying sound, and have quickly developed a reputation for being an innovative, driving, can’t-keep-your-feet-still power trio.
The Posse continues to engage audience members of all ages with their distinct and expansive energies, and their intuitive feel for one another’s playing. Being a restlessly creative bunch of self-styled ‘rehearsal addicts’, there are always new songs, dance sets, and concert arrangement in the works! The steady flow of powerful uplifting energy across the age gap is the engine that drives Pete’s Posse, and it shows no sign of letting up!
Although Pete’s Posse will perform at a couple of festival concerts, the focus of their time in Shetland will actually be working on an exciting project linked to the 2018 Year of Young People. Bring together a selection of members of Young Tradition Vermont [YTV] touring group with a small number of young Shetland musicians. They will learn and exchange tunes throughout the week, culminating in a performance on the Saturday of the festival. YTV is an organisation which works to inspire young people with traditional music and dance, and create opportunities for them to learn and perform from infancy to adulthood.
