JULIE Fowlis, the Gaelic folk singer who has taken the world by storm, plays the Royal Hall in Harrogate on Saturday, at 8pm, as Harrogate International Festivals concludes its month-long programme of music and literary events. Fowlis is the first Gaelic singer to appear on Later…with Jools Holland. The BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, has a legion of famous fans succumbing to her beautiful and powerful voice, including Bjork, Ricky Gervais and Radiohead drummer Phil Selway.

Her most recent studio album of traditional songs in Gaelic, Every Story, received five-star glowing reviews. Fowlis is forever recognised for singing the theme song to the Pixar animation Brave, which features characters voiced by Billy Connolly, Kelly Macdonald and Emma Thompson.

The song became a worldwide smash hit. Nominated as Best Artist at the Songlines World Music Awards 2015, Julie has won over audiences around the world.

This Sunday is the final concert with the magnificent 60-strong Flanders Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1960, its committed and passionate musicians are in demand throughout Europe thanks to their electrifying performances. Conducted by Jan Latham-Koenig, the Orchestra is joined by Freddy Kempf, one of today’s most successful pianists performing to sell-out audiences all over the world. A BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1992, the gifted Freddy has built a unique reputation as an explosive and physical performer not afraid to take risks.

  • The Flanders Symphony Orchestra will perform Schubert, Franck, Chopin and Brahms at Harrogate Royal Hall, 8pm. Box office: 01423 562303 harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
  • Last weekend saw Eddie Izzard, Rory Bremner and Brenda Blethyn add star quality to the 13th Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. Authors at the world’s biggest celebration of the crime genre included Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves and the Bafta award-winning TV writer, Paul Abbott (writer of Shameless, State of Play and No Offence). Lee Child, writer of the blockbusting Jack Reacher series, announced a second movie is to be adapted from the books starring Tom Cruise.