About

"...an outstanding young fiddle player"
​– The Folk Diary
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Rowan grew up in the foothills of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland surrounded by traditional music. Both his father, Charlie (of De Dannan) and his mother, Frances (who taught him the fiddle) were key figures in his musical development.  
         The author of three traditional tunebooks, he has also written articles for several magazines and led fiddle workshops at festivals all over the country. A familiar face in ceilidh bands across the UK and a constant of the session scene, he first performed at folk clubs & festivals with Georgia Lewis, with whom he recorded an EP and full-length studio album.
        His solo album, Mountscribe, ​was released in 2018 to critical acclaim after winning the "Future of Young Folk Award" at Bromyard Folk Festival.

In 2019, Rowan received a creative bursary from EFDSS for his SONGHIVE compilation album which he set up to raise awareness of the plight of the bees; he took over the running of Brighton Acoustic Club; and also started a research project on sean-nós singing in the Connemara Gaeltacht with an award from Help Musicians UK. He also works for Fay Hield on her project, Access Folk, which explores ways to increase and diversify participation in English folk singing.

Recently, Rowan has mostly been performing and writing with his award-winning folk trio, The Wilderness Yet, and his oldtime duo, Old Spot.

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Rowan also runs Scribe Records – an independent record label and publishing house for folk & traditional music. He has had a hand in recording, mixing, producing & designing over 20 records in the past 5 years.

Media Mentions

Reviews

"There are many accomplished fiddle players playing today, old and young. Rarer are those who can combine their playing with singing of such clarity and quality. Rowan Piggott is assuredly the latter... Accentuated by the crispness of his fiddle playing, his vocals are a standout among the increasingly crowded group of emerging talents on the British scene."

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"...a perfect illustration of Rowan’s talents... his life-and-soul energy is inclusive and infectious...his singing has a nimbly sprung quality which mirrors the deft sweep and agility of his fiddle strokes... a proud and very assured debut which will surely enhance Rowan’s existing high profile even more considerably!"

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"...not only does Piggott demonstrate a deep understanding of and ‘feel’ for tradition, he also exhibits a fine ability to add his own edge to this music. The blend of songs and tunes fit perfectly, each combination revealing a consummate skill... Mountscribe is a debut long waited for; many will be pleased to hear of its arrival, and none will be disappointed..." 

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"An experienced performer with an eclectic and impressive musical pedigree... somehow you can tell that Rowan Piggott is a likeable fella, just from the way he hits a fiddle with a hairy stick. That's a rare gift."

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★★★★ "Craggy and luminous prospects, yet dense and earthy at the point of intersection... one of the best young musicians on the folk scene..."

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