Button Boxes & Moothies

Autumn Fling

25-27 September 2026

Aberdeen, Scotland

Celebrating the Music of Free Reed Instruments

Message from the Festival Director

Welcome to the Button Boxes & Moothies Newsletter! We are delighted to bring our first Autumn Fling to Aberdeen on 26th September 2026. While our main festival takes place every four years (next in 2029), we look forward to hosting smaller annual workshops, concerts, and come-and-try events in the intervening years.

Founded in 2003 by the late Professor Ian Russell, our former director, we are proud to continue his incredible legacy in making this year’s event happen.

We are thrilled to welcome virtuoso performer Luke Daniels, who will lead a day of B/C button box tuition alongside myself teaching English concertina. A few spaces remain if you would like to sign up!

We always welcome your ideas for future events and outreach—please do get in touch with suggestions.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Frances Wilkins

BB&M Festival Director

Friday Evening Session

Friday 25 September 2026

7-9pm

The Red Lion, 130 Spital Walk, Aberdeen AB24 3JU

The session will be led by fantastic local button box players, Tom Roche and Rachel Sheridan.

Free entry - all welcome, musicians and listeners alike.

Map

Saturday Tuition Day

Saturday 26 September 2026

9am - 5pm

MacRobert Building, Kings College, Aberdeen AB24 5UA

Still a few places left for the B/C button box with Luke Daniels and English Concertina (recent beginner to intermediate players) with Frances Wilkins.

Tickets include refreshments and lunch, plus evening concert. Please book by Saturday 19th September if you would like to join either of the workshops.

£85/75/40

Buy Tickets

Map

Come and Try!

Saturday 26 September 2026

12-3pm

MacRobert Building, Kings College, Aberdeen AB24 5UA

At MacRobert Building Cafe - come and try some free reed instruments and see live demonstrations from players. Button box, concertina and harmonica demonstrations with the opportunity to purchase a harmonica for £10 and receive guidance in getting started.

There will be some informal music following the event for anyone who would like to stay and join in.

Free Entry - All welcome

Map

Saturday Evening Concert

Saturday 26 September 2026

7:00pm onwards

Dunbar Street Hall, Old Aberdeen AB24

Join Luke Daniels, Frances Wilkins, Tom Roche, Owen O' Connor and Friends for a fantastic evening of button box and concertina playing.

BRING YOUR INSTRUMENTS! The concert will be followed by an informal open session—come along and join in!

BYOB

£15/12/6

Buy Tickets

Concertina Album Launch

Saturday 26 September 2026

The evening concert at Dunbar Street Hall will also see the launch of Frances Wilkins' new EP of Scottish music on English concertina. The album features Frances playing with guitar accompaniment by Brian Ò hEadhra, who will also be performing at the concert.

Listen/Buy

Sunday Afternoon Talk/Performance

Sunday 27 September 2026

2-4pm

Fountainhall Church Centre, 1 Beaconsfield Place AB15 4AB

Join Frances Wilkins, for a musical journey around the North Sea and across the Atlantic in this presentation with live music at the Fountainhill Church Centre in Aberdeen on 27th September.

The event is organised and hosted by the Caithness, Orkney and Shetland Association of Aberdeen.

Members £10 and non-members £12

Please email

otterswick2409@icloud.com in advance if you are planning on attending.

Map

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