The Glasgow Barons Early Music Festival

Now in its second year, the Glasgow Barons Early Music Festival returns with an expanded programme celebrating the rich soundworld of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. Set within the historic surrounds of Govan Old Parish Church—a 12th-century landmark and home to the famous Govan Stones—the festival creates a striking blend of musical heritage and architectural atmosphere. This unique three-day event invites audiences into intimate, resonant spaces where centuries-old music comes vividly to life.

This year’s lineup features world-class ensembles and artists known for their period expertise and expressive performance. The acclaimed Dunedin Consort headline Saturday’s candlelit concert with a German Baroque programme featuring works by Buxtehude, Biber, and other masters of the sacred tradition. Festival openers The Hepburn IV, a St Andrews-based vocal quartet, offer a richly woven tapestry of Renaissance polyphony with music by Josquin, Palestrina, and Lassus.

Other highlights include a late-night performance by Iuchair Ensemble, tracing a mystical arc from Machaut’s medieval chant to Poulenc’s haunting modernity, and a solo violin recital by Benjamin Shute, who bridges Bach with Brahms transcriptions in an emotionally charged lunchtime set. On Sunday, baroque soprano Mhairi Lawson joins lutenist Alex McCartney for a programme of early song, from Purcell to Scottish folk airs, followed by a public masterclass for singers and lutenists.

Brass enthusiasts can look forward to The Wallace Collection, who reimagine Haydn’s chamber music using historic instruments like serpent, ophicleide, and saxhorn—described by audiences as “steampunk Haydn” in sound and spirit. Across the weekend, the festival pairs its musical offerings with accessible ticketing, community engagement, and a warm, inclusive spirit that reflects The Glasgow Barons' ethos of cultural regeneration in Govan.

Following the success of its 2024 debut—praised for its “sampler album” approach and site-specific atmosphere—the Early Music Festival is quickly becoming a fixture in Scotland’s classical calendar. Whether you're a seasoned early music aficionado or new to the genre, this festival offers a rare and beautifully curated experience in one of Glasgow’s most atmospheric historic settings.