Dirk Powell, Cedric Watson and Amelia Powell at the Orkney Folk Festival 2026
I was delighted to be invited to photograph the Orkney Folk Festival this year. I love folk music, Orkney, and photography, so what’s not to love about that invitation?
Straight after docking in Kirkwall on the Westray ferry, with a small diversion to Poundstretcher to get some Duracell alkaline batteries, I made my way to the BBC Studios for a performance by three people I couldn’t wait to hear.
Dirk Powell is the songwriter of Waterbound, a song you really should search for, and he’s one of the world’s leading experts on traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo styles. Just in case the word ‘banjo’ produces a PTSD response in you, his playing is superb and well worth hearing. He has won four Grammy Awards, and although he’s played with Joan Baez for a decade and toured with Mary Chapin Carpenter, it’s the fact he’s played with Rhiannon Giddens that interests me.
Here he is on fiddle:
He’s with Cedric Watson, someone who’s been nominated for four Grammy Awards, but never been awarded one. His background is in zydeco and Creole music; the blues and zydeco music of his native Texas and the Creole influences of Lafayette, Louisiana, where he relocated, make a fascinating mix. He’s a mesmerising live performer.
With them is Amelia Powell, Dirk’s daughter, and one of the most committed guitarists I have ever witnessed. I love seeing musicians where every note appears to be torn from their very soul.
They make a most astounding sound together and it’s a privilege to be in the BBC Studio for the pre-recording of this part of their evening show.
I attempted to play violin for eleven years, starting from a quarter size violin when I was four years old. I never got past being leader of the second violins for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Mozart was a genius but I wish I’d learned folk tunes instead.
There’s a great chemistry and mutual appreciation amongst them.
I particularly enjoy musicians who are truly ‘in the moment’.
Luckily for me, my photographic itinerary involves photographing them again over the Orkney Folk Festival weekend. And in Orkney, and for folk music, a weekend means what it should do everywhere, which is four full days
I can’t wait.
Here’s Dirk performing Waterbound as part of the Transatlantic Sessions from 2009.