August Bank holiday weekend in Waterford is better known as The SPRAOI weekend. In 1993, twelve events took place over three days of the festival; this time, 25 years later, the number of events is over 200. I have counted 28 performers, and I will tell about some of them in my next blog, but today I want to write about one of the favorites – a party folk band from Holland, the Scotch. During the three days, they gave eight performances in different venues in Waterford as a part of their Ireland tour that also includes Cork and Ardara, Donegal.
I went to see them in the Palace Square Friday, after dark. I can tell you – these guys know how to put on a show 🙂 Young and old, no one could stay still listening to the lively and infectious rhythms.
I have questions, and the drummer looks like the right person to start a chat 🙂
After an hour the show is over. I enjoyed every minute of it – watching the audience was a bonus 🙂
The guys are putting their instruments away, but it is not the end.
Their fans want pictures. I take advantage 🙂
I guess they will go to their car, eventually, and yes – here comes the drummer 🙂
His name is Wouter and he is willing to answer my questions.
Scotch is a party folk band, formed in 2003. At that time their shows were more theatrical.
Wouter: We started out as a punk band with a lot of glam rock inspirations. Went to a more symphonic style wearing all kind of costumes and doing some heavy makeup. The folk style evolved during touring in Germany and Czech as busking became an important part of our travels.
Wouter is doing drums, percussion and vocals.
Sam is the lead vocalist of Scotch, and also the violinist who is responsible for all the dance craze tonight 🙂
Wouter and Sam founded Scotch, and Nathan, the guitarist and vocalist, is with the band from the very beginning…
… as is the bass guitarist and singer Sjoerd. A lifelong friendship.
Jochem joined Scotch in 2007, and he is doing guitar, banjo, melodica and vocals.
And Juno is taking videos 🙂
The band is known and loved in their native city, Dordrecht which is as old as Waterford. Well, they are loved in Waterford too, and also in Scotland, and many other countries they have toured over the years. They performed at various national art festivals, the Calais refugee camp, and successfully auditioned for Holland’s got Talent.
I hope you can listen to their music here. Just scroll down:
Jean Luc is their third album.
What holds you together for so many years?
Wouter: Friendship is the most important thing in the band. We’ve been playing together for such a long time now. It would be super strange to split up. We enjoy traveling together and meeting people with the music as a kind of super glue.
Do you make a living as a band?
Wouter: Nope…
Which is a shame, because they are wonderful and they make a difference. They bring a party to people.
I watch all of their performances as it is close to where I live.
Sometimes I spot them watching other performers, or taking selfies 🙂
Their fans are waiting at the George’s Court stage.
It is a huge crowd here around the main stage of the festival decorated with Waterford colors.
From where I stand I can only see a glimpse of Wouter 🙂
The following day it is raining heavily, but it doesn’t scare their loyal fans.
The ‘orange minions’, the members of the huge group of SPRAOI volunteers, are doing a great job creating a protective shield for the musicians.
Bring in the party!
This is Scotch’s Facebook page and you can book a party at booking@scotchtheband.com, or let your friends know about them.
Thank you for celebrating SPRAOI milestone! More in my next post.
Have a wonderful week!
Making memories 
You created a fantastic fan photo album for the folk band Scotch. It was such a wonderful experience shared here by you! They should pay you and have you become a “roadie.” 😊 They seem like such a nice, caring band. 💞
Oh they are so very sweet. I provided them with photographs for their page 🙂
Now that’s a party. Interestingly enough, the small town of Goderich, Ontario Canada has a Celtic Festival that same weekend featuring some of the best of Irish/Scottish music and culture in the world. They connect it to a week long “college” teaching dance, and singing, storytelling and tin whistle and more.
That has to be one of the most exciting weekends of the year all around the northern hemisphere.
It is amazing! Oh I wish I could visit it some day. I love the spirit of such festivals, the year of preparation and anticipation. They must be very proud of their festival, as we are 🙂
looks like you had a good time
Love the festival. Thousands of volunteers are involved. It makes the festival a family event, the same as our Patrick parade 🙂
So cool and happy!
Thank you!
Looks like a cool festival! I love those kind of events. Funny – my wife is from Holland. I know Dordrecht well. She studied in Rotterdam, which is not far from Dordrecht. Though, Holland is pretty small. So everything is close to everything. Lol I will ask her if she has heard of these guys. Great post!
Oh that is amazing! She might know – the guys have been around since 2003 or so. I think Holland is one of the coolest countries 🙂
HI there dear Inese…. excellent post…. looks like it was a wonderful experience… Great festival, with lots of music… I would have loved to be there 😉 wishing you an beautiful day. Hugs xx ❤
Thank you dear Aquileana! It is our favorite festival. Best wishes! ❤
A fun and lively post! Thank you Inese! It’s too, bad the band can’t make a living doing what they do. There’s a saying about musicians “They can make a killing, but they can’t make a living”
Seems true here. Hope all is well!
Thank you Resa! Yes, it is a shame they have to have a couple more jobs to support their passion. But isn’t it true about most of artists?
I am getting ready to Waterford Walls festival that starts this Thursday. Don’t know how much I will cover, but I am definitely going to visit with BIRDO and FIVE8 🙂 I think about forty artists are expected.
Brilliant post Inese. Thank you for introducing anew band to me x
You would love them. Who knows, they might come to Dundee some day. xxxx
I would go see them. I love their sound and your photos show such joy on the faces of everyone listening. Loved how you ‘hunted’ them down x
Thank you 🙂 Now I am off to your blog – to catch up.
That looks like a very fun festival. I love to see this type of band performing on the street that you can see them close up. I use to see only one or two performers. They sound wonderful!
Thank you for your comment! Yes, they make people smile, and it is great 🙂
What great music it must have been, Inese! I love the expressions you captured on the faces of “The Scotch” while they performed. I can tell just by looking at them that the music was wonderful. Hugs on the wing.
Thank you Teagan! It was a great fun 🙂
I haven’t heard of them before, but will look out for them in Scotland.
They are in Edinburgh tonight 🙂
And I am at home in Glasgow! Oh well…. another time.
You are so lucky to be in an area with so much to do! This event sounds like so much fun and the group was very good!
Three days of fun, and the grand parade Sunday night. We love SPRAOI. I think there were at least 28 performers – music or act. Some of them have been invited more that once, and it is always nice to see familiar faces. Scotch performed last year, but I didn’t write about them. It is impossible to cover everything.
Sound excellent. You can hear the punk and particularly ska influences. There are a few Balkan bands that promote this type of music as well. ( I see they were playing just a few miles away from me on Saturday night there. I was actually out at a pal’s surprise birthday party, so I couldn’t have gone even if I’d known in advance, but I’ll keep my eyes open for their next visit.) 🙂
Cee Tee, keep an eye on their Facebook page for their schedule. Gogol Bordello was one of the influences. I love this kind of music. We had our own band, Gypsi swing, but they broke up a couple of years ago.
sounds like a fun band
to move & smile to 🙂
I love people who make others smile 🙂
Looks like a wonderful event. And great music!
We look forward to this festival every year 🙂
I can see why!
An interesting post, with equally interesting musicians. I enjoyed this.
Thank you! They are fun to watch 🙂
Awesome post! And these guys sound great 😀 I´m sure you had fun at the festival 😉
My favorite festival. Get only better each year.
Those are the good ones 😊
Wonderful post, Inese! These guys rock! Totally love their style! Thank you for sharing now I will only have to wait for their next tour in Germany 😄😘xxxxxxx
Thank you Sarah! If you know somebody who wants to throw a party, you might spread a word 🙂 Scotch will make the party perfect 🙂 xxxxxx
I will share it on my Facebook page! 😀 They are a great band! xxxxxxx
Thank you! 🙂 xxxxxx
You´re welcome! 😀 xxxxxx
What a wonderfully uplifting post. I now want to go to one of their concerts wherever…and maybe next year to Waterford, a place I love. Interestingly, I thought about you the other day. I have been a little remiss in commenting etc…as have had a lot of family stuff to take care of, but now I am freeing up….and a band like Scotch is exactly what I want and need 🙂 Janet xxx
Thank you Janet! I haven’t been around the blogosphere this summer. Only had energy to keep the weekly blogs posted. Yes, these guys can cheer up anyone 🙂 Come to Waterford for the next SPRAOI 🙂 xxx
I would love that 🙂 0x