London-based five-piece, Bard embark on their biggest ever Scottish tour later this week, kicking off at Kirkcaldy on Thursday then Heart of Hawick on Friday, Moniaive on Saturday and arriving at Avant Garde in King Street, Glasgow, on Sunday.

Some observations:

“They are going to be one of the hottest tickets this year” – Bruce MacGregor, BBC Radio Scotland.

“Best thing to happen to contemporary English folk song in a very long time!” - Sean Purser, senior music producer (Travelling Folk and Global Gathering), BBC Radio Scotland.

“They made a big impression at Celtic Connections this year” – Mary Ann Kennedy. BBC Radio 3

“Insanely catchy” – Sandy Semeonoff, Celtic Music Radio

“There’s an earthiness I really like – excellent, really excellent,” – Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales

“The Springtime Fool is destined to be a 2012 roots highlight” – David Innes, R2 (Rock ‘n’ Reel) magazine

“Making waves in the folk world” - Neil Martin, BBC Radio Ulster

Dates:

Thurs June 28: Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy
Fri June 29: Heart of Hawick
Sat June 30: Memorial Institute, Moniaive
Sun July 1: Avant Garde, King Street, Glasgow
Tues July 3: The Old Library, Kilbarchan
Wed July 4: Douglas Robertson’s Studio, Edinburgh
Thurs July 5: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
Fri July 6: Bogbain, Inshes, Inverness
Sat July 7: Portsoy Folk Club

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/celticconnections/2012/artists/bard/

Looking forwardto seeing the band in Hawick at the weekend. I was just reading this in the Southern reporter today: http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/lifestyle/life/theo-s-band-are-so-bard-they-are-good-1-2365220

Just heard that there will be a track from the band's album on the next Top of The World cover-mount compilation from Songlines magazine.

Tour kicks off tonight at the Acoustic Music Club in Kirkcaldy. There's a half-page feature on the band in today's Evening Times which says that 2012 is going to be their year.
Heart of Hawick tomorrow, Moniaive on Saturday and Avant Garde in Glasgow on Sunday....

The Hawick News is saying today that Bard are "the new Mumford and Sons" !!!
I know which band I prefer and I'm looking forward to seeing them tonight!
http://www.hawick-news.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/first-hawick-appearance-for-band-dubbed-the-new-mumford-and-sons-1-2382159

I really enjoyed Bard last night. Breath of fresh air is a term that's used a lot and they really are just that. It was good that Kirkcaldy didn't let them down. A decent crowd let them know they had been appreciated. Regardless of the hype, I think they've got a very bright future. I saw a quote about fresh-faced folk and that summed them up. The songs are strong and the playing is just sublime.

Bard lived up to expectations but what a pity there were not more people in the audience.
The place was less than half full and at the interval, they were saying that it was a shame the event clashed with Copshaw Folk Festival.
Those who were there had a great night, though and let the band know it.
This was one of those "I was there" moments and I made sure to get my CD signed.
Really lovely people too!!

Went to see this band in Moniaive last night. Bruce MacGregor is right they were awesome. IN fact I'd go as far as to say that this is one of the best bands I have heard. Ever. Contemplating heading to Glasgow tonight just to hear them again.

That's some recommendation, Hugh. I will miss this band when they are in Scotland as we're on the road for another week. But I'll be in London for a few days later in the month and see they are playing the South Bank Centre on the 9th, so we might try and get along to that. Are you still booking the acts for Moniaive Folk Festival? Don't forget us! I'll never forget that big steak pie - cheers - Dougie
This is a nice bit of footage, filmed when they were a four-piece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eXHCqBot1w&feature=fvwrel

Bard were sensational at the gig in Moniaive on Saturday night.
This is a band which will go far and we will always be able to say "Moniaive had them before stardom hit them"

The band's making a whole lot of new friends.
Kilbarchan on Tuesday (sold out show) and Douglas's in Edinburgh will be a bit special.

The new Mumford & Sons? Dear, oh, dear.

Fear not, BxM, that quote's not about to find its way on to Bard tour posters and flyers.
We will focus on those which are more accurate:

“They are going to be one of the hottest tickets this year” – Bruce MacGregor, Blazin' Fiddles and BBC Radio Scotland.

“Best thing to happen to contemporary English folk song in a very long time!” - Sean Purser, senior music producer (Travelling Folk and Global Gathering), BBC Radio Scotland.

“They made a big impression at Celtic Connections this year” – Mary Ann Kennedy. BBC Radio 3

"One of the best bands I have heard. Ever" - Hugh Taylor, Moniaive Folk Festival

“Insanely catchy” – Sandy Semeonoff, Celtic Music Radio

“There’s an earthiness I really like – excellent, really excellent,” – Frank Hennessy, BBC Radio Wales

“The Springtime Fool is destined to be a 2012 roots highlight” – David Innes, R2 (Rock ‘n’ Reel) magazine

“Making waves in the folk world” - Neil Martin, BBC Radio Ulster

“Something refreshingly new and different to tease and nourish” – Allan Wilkinson, Northern Sky music magazine

Some glowing comments about the band's shows from listeners on Iain Anderson show last night too (about 44 minutes in).
Great to see the programme being given an extended time slot, by the way. Start time is now 10.05pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01k6bwc

Four more Scottish dates:

Tonight (July 4): Douglas Robertson’s Studio, Edinburgh
Thurs July 5: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
Fri July 6: Bogbain, Inshes, Inverness
Sat July 7: Portsoy Folk Club

After that the band returns to London for a show at the Southbank centre on July 9 and are then at Larmer Tree Festival for a main stage appearance on July 13.

Went back to see bard again at Douglas Robertson's last night and was glad I did. What a great night and what a great place to enjoy 'live' music. Aidan O'Rourke turned up and seemed to be enjoying the experience too.

"Aidan O'Rourke turned up and seemed to be enjoying the experience too."

You should have asked him for a quote...

:-)

We didn't need to, JAJ. Aidan obliged - no prompting - and posted a message on Facebook stating "great band", so that's his quote well and truly captured. Apparently Bruce MacGregor said some more complimentary things on his wonderful Travelling Folk show on BBC Radio Scotland tonight too. If this was not one of the three or four nights a week you are out enjoying 'live' music, maybe you were tuned in and could let us know what he had to say?
We were out doing just that and sadly missed Bruce's programme.
;-{)

Talented chap as Aidan is; it says a lot when you have to use one of his quotes to sell your wares.

Just like that man from the BBC said, we think they’re the “best thing to happen to contemporary English folk song in a very long time.”
Now, the UK’s leading world music mag - Songlines – is telling the world that they too, believe Bard are “hot”, awarding the band’s debut album, The Springtime Fool, a Top of The World recommendation in the latest issue where they say: "Their catchy folk-pop choruses and carefree vagabond spirit recall The Levellers at their best…there is a timelessness to the highlights on this album that places it among the company of the best folk music…an exciting new band.”
If you don’t subscribe to the publication, you may wish to consider doing so. Apart from the superb content, there is always a fabulous compilation cover-mount CD with each issue and guess who gets a track on the latest one… http://www.songlines.co.uk/