By Graeme Strachan

THE RED HOT Chilli Pipers opened Dundee’s Fest ‘n’ Furious annual folk extravaganza at the Caird Hall last night with an energetic and lively set.

The Chillis—Stuart Cassells, Willie Armstrong, Kevin MacDonald, Steven Graham and Malcolm McEwan—were the runaway winners of this year’s BBC1 variety show When Will I Be Famous? and performed with vocal accompaniment from the crowd.

Traditional singer Sheena Wellington, who is creative director of the event, said the Chillis had delighted organisers by agreeing to return to give workshops for musicians today.

“We’re just thrilled to have them,” she said. “They not only wowed the studio and TV audience, but the expert panel as well.

“They are brilliant musicians who put on the most exciting show around.”

They were joined by the cream of the new generation of Scottish musicians—six finalists from BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award, including overall winner Catriona Watt.

The other musicians on the TMSA Young Trad Tour 2007 were Edinburgh fiddler Mike Vass, Gaelic singer Darren Maclean, Glasgow button-key accordionist Martin Hunter, Canadian born piper Calum MacCrimmon and flautist Calum Stewart from Garmouth in Morayshire.

Accompanists this year were Innes Watson on guitar and Mhairi Hall on keyboard

Sheena Wellington said this year’s festival is “bigger and better than ever.”

She thanked event funders Dundee City Council, the City of Discovery campaign and the Scottish Arts Council.

Fest ‘n’ Furious was launched by Lord Provost John Letford at the Wighton Heritage Centre in the Central Library yesterday.

Guests at the event were entertained by fiddlers Elisabeth Flett and Moraganne Elder and by harpist Simon Chadwick, who treated the audience to music played on a replica of the 15th-century clarsach known as the Queen Mary Harp.

Opening the event, Mr Letford said that, as home of the music collection of 19th century Dundee merchant Andrew Wighton, the city has found a place at the heart of the traditional music scene.

This year’s programme features a varied line-up, with acts including the Young Trad Tour, the Peatbog Faeries, the Hunger Mountain Boys and the Earl brothers, Sheena Wellington herself, Angus band the Duke of Portland and Catriona McKay.

As well as the performances, the festival includes a workshop programme for musicians and singers.