Astrid Williamson

Event information

Shetland born singer-songwriter Astrid Williamson returns with her tenth studio album, Shetland Suite, a collection of traditional songs and instrumentals reimagined for the 21st century. A tribute to her late mother Shetland Suite comprises of an evocative fusion of folk, electronics and field recordings and is due for release on Incarnation Records in September 2024.

Williamson rose to prominence in the early 1990s with her band Goya Dress. Their first album, Rooms, was produced by John Cale (Velvet Underground). To date she has released a further eight studio albums including classical work Requiem & Gallipoli, lately reviving own label Incarnation Records to release, Into The Mountain (2022). 

She studied classical piano and composition with Judith Weir (current Master Of The King’s Music) at Scotland’s Royal Conservatoire, and over a career spanning almost three decades, as a vocalist, musician and co-writer, she has collaborated with various artists including Johnny Marr & Bernard Sumner (as part of Electronic), Arthur Baker, Stereophonics, Leo Abrahams, This Mortal Coil / Hope Blister originator Ivo Watts-Russell, and Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance/Hans Zimmer).

She also appeared in Rob Newman’s BBC comedy series The History of The World Backwards as musical director, song arranger and performer.

Her songs have appeared in films including Bill Forsyth’s Gregory’s Two Girls.

“Her vocal delivery approaches John Martyn levels of emotional impact.” (The Sunday Times).
“Williamson’s voice is a thing of lustrous power.” (UNCUT).
“Astrid’s songs are elegant, erudite and sexy.” (MOJO).