Biggar Django Festival 2026 Sunday Evening Concert Ticket

Closing the festival in unforgettable style, Seonaid Aitken leads her new band, Manouche Nouveau, with a fresh, modern take on Gypsy Jazz.

Gathering together the crème de la crème of Scotland’s Gypsy Jazz musicians, Seonaid Aitken’s Manouche Nouveau brings Jazz Manouche into 2026, presenting a fresh take on the genre with Seonaid’s original compositions, intricate arrangements of well-known standards and virtuosic showmanship showcasing Gypsy Swing favourites - all while paying homage to the originators of ‘Hot Club’ Swing Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.

Led by Seonaid Aitken - Scottish Jazz award-winning violinist, vocalist, composer/arranger, BBC broadcaster and regular tutor at the Grappelli-Django Camp in The Netherlands (played with Sébastien Giniaux, Duved Dunayevsky, Tim Kliphuis Sextet, Tokyo Django Collective, Rose Room, Martin Taylor MBE), and featuring in-demand vintage-style guitarist Ross Baird, rising talent and student of Jazz guitar at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Ronan Toal, and swingin’ & slappin’ double bassist Andy Sharkey.

“Sizzling violinist” Buffalo Times, New York

“Stupendous gypsy jazz player” The Scotsman

“a voice that ranges from crystal clear high notes to a low, silky purr” Acoustic Magazine

BIGGAR DJANGO FESTIVAL 2026 SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 2026

Biggar Django Festival is a weekend for musicians, music-lovers, and friends of the Django tradition to come together. Three days of live sets, workshops, film, dance, and jam sessions – all in the spirit of sharing, learning, and celebrating Django Reinhardt and gypsy jazz. Whether you play, dance, or simply listen, this is a festival built by and for the community.

HEADLINE ACT SEONAID AITKEN’S MANOUCHE NOUVEAU
7:30 pm THE MANOUCHETONES

Liverpool‑based, this fiery Gypsy Jazz trio specialises in 1930s Hot Club swing, Latin jazz and Django Reinhardt originals. Micky Dunn, Karl Webb and John Wheatcroft deliver vibrant arrangements, tight ensemble playing and an irresistibly warm stage presence that brings classic swing to life for festival audiences.

WHAT ELSE IS ON SUNDAY? IT'S ALL FREE!!

11 am – 2 pm DJANGO JAM SESSION
Everyone’s welcome at The Elph for an easy-going Django‑inspired jam. Bring your instrument or just come along to enjoy the music, the company, and some fine whisky as players gather to celebrate Django’s legacy.

Venue: The Elphinstone, 145 High St, Biggar ML12 6DL

2 – 3:30 pm FREE WORKSHOP GUITAR Django Improvisation*
Learn Django‑style improvisation with John Wheatcroft, Principal Lecturer (Guitar) at BIMM London. This in‑depth session explores core technique, arpeggio shapes, rhythmic power and the expressive phrasing at the heart of Gypsy Jazz. John draws on experience gained from performing with Biréli Lagrène, Billy Cobham, Alex Acuña, John Williams, Frank Gambale, Paco Peña, Stochelo Rosenberg, Angelo Debarre, Paulus Schäfer and Mozes Rosenberg, offering practical insights you can immediately apply to your own playing. John also appears at Biggar Django Festival on double bass for Robin Nolan Trio and the Manouchetones.

Venue: Arcadia Music Cafe, 1 Howieson Square (off High St) Biggar, ML12 6DP 

 2 – 4 pm FREE LIVE BAND SOCIAL DANCE Swing & Lindy Hop Open to the public Book your place here
Enjoy a lively social dance with Chardon Bleu led by guitarist Stephen Tyler with Jim MacKay on guitar, Martin MacLeod on double bass and Andy Whiteford on clarinet, flute, and saxophone. The set features upbeat swing, welcoming Lindy Hop vibes and a full‑band festival buzz. All dancers welcome. Visiting musicians are encouraged to join the band, with a set list to be announced – bring your own charts, iPads and stands to slot straight into the band’s groove.

Venue: The Gillespie Centre, 74 High St, Biggar ML12 6BJ 
 
4 – 5 PM  FREE WORKSHOP Swingin' Strings Jazz  – Fiddle, Viola, cello*
Award-winning violinist Seonaid Aitken leads this fun, accessible Gypsy Jazz workshop for string players of all levels. Bridge the gap between Classical/Folk and Jazz — learn to swing, pick up a tune by ear, and improvise using just three chords. No jazz experience needed. Just bring your curiosity and your instrument

Venue: Arcadia Music Cafe, 1 Howieson Square (off High St) Biggar, ML12 6DP
 
FREE LATE NIGHT JAM SESSION
Everyone’s invited! After Sunday night’s main gig with Seonaid Aitken’s Manouche Nouveau, stay behind for more music, improvisation, and collaborative jams with local and visiting musicians 

Venue: Biggar Corn Exchange, 126 High St, Biggar, ML12 6DL

*FREE. Limited places available – first come, first served. Remember to add when purchasing your ticket!