Adam Holmes at Wee Bear Cafe

ADAM HOLMES’ 4 albums, Heirs and Graces, Brighter Still, Midnight Milk and Dreamweaver have cast an impressive shadow across the UK Folk Scene and gained him Scottish Album of the Year Nominations (in 2014, 2017 and 2018) and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominations. His songs have featured widely on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3, BBC Scotland, Edith Bowman’s BBC Scotland Quay Sessions show and Virgin Radio, amongst many others.

Brought up in Portobello and steeped in the traditions of folk music, the staff at one of the liveliest, smokiest and most famous Folk music pubs in Britain, Sandy Bells, used to make a space at the end of the bar so that an eight year old Adam could get the best view of the singers and musicians. That was the very place that Adam first picked up the skill of learning music by ear!   

As an adolescent, Adam found focus through the medium of music and his dedication to his craft led to a place in the semi finals of the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2009. His lyrics resonate like old folk songs, set to melodies rooted in the haunting slow airs and church hymns that echoed throughout his childhood. 

His masterful songwriting and enchanting voice has, over the years, seen him work and share stages with; Martin Simpson, Karine Polwart, John Prine, John McCusker, Graham Coxon (Blur), Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Martin Green (Lau), Adrian Utley (Portishead), Becky Unthank (The Unthanks), Dominic Aitchison (Mogwai), Anais Mitchell, Aidan Moffat, Karine Polwart, John Wood (Nick Drake and John Martyn Producer), Simon Heyworth (mastering engineer and co-producer of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells) and  Eddi Reader.

He has shared bills with; Laura Marling, Van Morrison, Karine Polwart, Lau, Richard Thompson, Jason Isbell, The Avett Brothers, Sturgill Simpson and Chvrches.

Keen to bring his music to smaller communities, we are delighted to welcome Adam to the Wee Bear music family! – Tickets available via the link below or directly from the cafe.