Button Boxes & Moothies

17/05/2026

We were so incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Professor Ian Russell MBE over the weekend.

Ian was a huge inspiration to so many people in so many ways. He founded Button Boxes & Moothies back in 2003 and as well as playing the button box himself was incredibly supportive of players of free reed instruments who have attended the festival over the years.

Ian will be greatly missed by many people in all corners of the globe. Our sincere condolences go to Norma, who has been so supportive of the festival over the years, and to their son Joe and grandson Tomas.

01/05/2026

Autumn Fling tickets are now on sale! They can be booked at:

https://www.ticketsource.com/button-boxes-and-moothies-2026

A day of tuition on English concertina with Dr Frances Wilkins and B/C button box with Luke Daniels, followed by an evening concert in Old Aberdeen.

£85 for the day, £75 for Friends of the Elphinstone Institute (£20 per year, join through the website), £40 for full-time students and under-18's.

Ticket includes:
*Tuition from 9:30-4:30pm (lunch from 12:30-1:30pm)
*Evening concert with Frances Wilkins, Luke Daniels and friends
*Lunch and refreshments
*informal music sessions over the weekend

Please note that Elphinstone Institute membership (£20 per year) can also be purchased through the ticket shop, and gives a £10 discount on tickets.

If you have any questions, please get in touch

Luke Daniels

Aberdeen City Council

20/04/2026

We are excited to announce the Button Boxes & Moothies Autumn Fling!

A day of tuition in B/C Button Box (Luke Daniels) and English Concertina (Frances Wilkins) followed by an evening concert in Old Aberdeen.

£85 for the day (including lunch and refreshments), £75 for friends of the Elphinstone Institute. All abilities catered for.

For more information and to reserve a place, please contact Frances on [email protected].

Tickets go on sale on 1st May!

There will be music sessions over the weekend including an opening session on the Friday evening.

11/02/2026

It was so nice to read Kisna Panesar's write-up of the 2025 Button Boxes & Moothies festival.

It is always good to receive positive feedback on an event, but particularly special to hear how the invited guests have enjoyed and benefited from the occasion. Kisna is a fantastic Anglo concertina player who is currently completing her BA in Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It was a pleasure to have her as a performer at the festival!

Read the blog at:
https://www.traditionalmusicforum.org/blog-post/?newsid=26807&fbclid=IwY2xjawP5bLJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE2elE1TzZYbGpPY2pHWkk5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg1tBC-H4d4aKRDgOGv8lgKXPXbpQcJ8IOWnNFZ-kds6SkSMhN_hLXpiV3Ql_aem_ls_I9P70GlQDnk3ossxjYQ

✨ New Blog ✨
Button Boxes & Moothies Festival 2025: A Weekend to Remember - by Kisna Panesar

From lively workshops and inspiring conversations to performing alongside seasoned players, and seeing a strong representation for women in free-reed traditions, concertina player Kisna Panesar reflects on an uplifting weekend in Aberdeen at the Button Boxes and Moothies Festival 2025.

👀 Read now through the link in the comments.
📸 Photo by Alan Donaldson

26/11/2025

A few photos from the wonderful Rambling House concert - a highlight of the Button Boxes & Moothies weekend this year! Culminating in the 'Battle of the Bands'!

Thanks to Elphinstone Institute MLitt student Barb Briggs for taking the photos on the night.

26/11/2025

The variety of workshops over the weekend are a large part of what makes Button Boxes & Moothies so unique, and this festival we introduced come-and-try events on the Saturday. We were delighted that so many people came to try out the instruments and take part in some of the many workshops on offer.

Here are a few photos of participants, taken by Elphinstone Institute MLitt student Barb Briggs over the weekend.

24/11/2025

We were honoured that the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor David Cameron, officially opened Button Boxes & Moothies last weekend with a fantastic reception at the Town House. Please see below his post about the event (and photos)

21/11/2025

A few pics from a wonderful fifth Button Boxes & Moothies festival. Next one in 2029!

More pics to follow..

Many thanks to Barb Briggs, current MLitt student in Ethnology & Folklore at the Elphinstone Institute, for taking the photos.

Aberdeen City Council
University of Aberdeen

16/11/2025

Incredible first half of the weekend with the opening reception in the beautiful Town House and lunchtime concert in James Mackay Hall.

Looking forward to more wonderful music from our festival artists today with plenty of workshops and a lunchtime and evening concert in James Mackay Hall (Kings Conference Centre) on campus.

Please note the venue for this evening's closing concert is James Mackay Hall and not Kings Pavilion as previously advertised.

Come along down to the festival venue today to find out more of what has been going on. Refreshments provided, wonderful antique accordion display and pop-up exhibition on Jews Harps plus free talks.

15/11/2025

A nice feature on STV news yesterday for Button Boxes & Moothies and free reed instruments!

Many thanks to Anne Smith for putting together this great feature, highlighting what an important part of North-East culture free reed instruments have played in the past.

Aberdeen City Council
University of Aberdeen