Talisk has been shredding stereotypes and igniting stages worldwide for nearly a decade, stacking up a jaw-dropping 15 million streams, selling 10,000 albums, and captivating sold-out crowds from Paris to Tokyo. Now, the Scottish trio is heading to Womadelaide to unleash their signature brand of high-octane folk—complete with concertina, fiddle, guitar, and an arsenal of pedals that make three people sound like a ten-piece orchestra.
They’ve racked up a slew of major accolades—five awards between BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland, plus two BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards—and wowed more than a million viewers on BBC One’s Hogmanay show in 2022. Last year, they topped it off by headlining Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom during Celtic Connections 2024, proving that their meteoric rise is no fluke.
As well as Womadelaide, Talisk will also perform to already packed shows in Melbourne and Sydney, and the Port Fairy Folk Festival, as well as three nights in New Zealand. With a sound that’s half celebration, half revolution, these three are about to redefine the idea of folk—one blistering set at a time, unleashing their festival-shaking, foot-stomping, genre-busting sounds. Strap in!
You’re about to touch down in sunny Australia. What’s got you most excited?
Mohsen Amini: We’ve done flying visits before, but this is our first proper tour—and we can’t wait. Charlie our guitarist actually lived in Australia for a couple of years, so he’s got the hotspots mapped out. And, of course, it’ll be nice to count on the sun actually shining every day!
Your live shows are famous for their pure, unfiltered energy. How do you keep that fire going night after night?
MA: Honestly, we love life, we love music, and we get to do the best job in the world. That buzz from the crowd is enough to power you through any tiredness. We’re basically living in a fantasy land—playing tunes, seeing people dance themselves silly. What’s not to love?
Your sound is a wild mix of old-world folk and modern punch. How did you land on this “folky rave” formula?
MA: We started off pretty acoustic, just a standard folk trio messing around with arrangements. Then we added pedals, stomps, synths, octave effects—anything to make a three-piece sound like ten. I’ve got foot pedals for sub-drops, percussion, even synth lines, so it’s basically the one-man-band busker vibe, except on a big stage—and hopefully less gimmicky!
Ever tempted to add vocals?
MA: Would you add beef to a trifle? Both are great, but not together! That’s my philosophy. Folk tunes and big instrumental sets are our thing, so no, we’re not throwing in random lyrics anytime soon.
Any Womadelaide artists you’re dying to see or jam with?
MA: I’ve heard rumours that Bonny Light Horseman will be there and it will be ace to see them —they’re amazing. Honestly, Womadelaide is this massive kaleidoscope of sounds, so we’ll be scoping out as much as we can.
What do you want the Irresistible audience to know?
MA: Benny Morris is single—tell the world! He’ll be the one shredding onstage and maybe taking phone numbers afterwards.
You’ve had some wild adventures on tour. Funniest story?
MA: One that springs to mind is when I spontaneously married my best friend in Denmark—long story, but the local mayor was there, and apparently had the power to officiate! Our girlfriends weren’t too impressed, but it made for a great story. Gig-wise, headlining the Barrowlands in Glasgow was unreal. We also ended 2024 playing the Hydro Arena in front of thousands. For a band that started out in little folk clubs, it felt like completing a level in a video game.
What about tunes you love?
MA: We each have different tastes. Charlie’s into John Mayer’s “Wheel,” Benny’s all about “Paris” by The 1975. For me, I don’t know, oh that’s a hard question.
What about “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil – Iconic Aussie Band? A song about returning the land to our First Nations people.
MA: I love that, yep put that down! I’ll write it down too and be sure to listen to them!
What do you want Aussie fans to take away from a Talisk show?
MA: The Merch! Also, we want them to leave sweaty, a few pounds lighter from dancing, and thinking, “What on earth just happened?!” We’re all about that joyous chaos, so come in with an open mind, and we’ll bring the folky rave.
Whether you’re a folk purist or a pop devotee, their live show is a rush of energy you won’t forget. You’ll dance, you’ll sweat, and you might even snag a date with Benedict Morris.
WOMADELAIDE
7-10 March 2025
Botanic Park/ Tainmuntilla
