Direct from The Shetlands, fast and furious folk band Fiddlers Bid (pictured) head to Saltaire’s Victoria Hall on Friday.

Praised by critics as playing like “angels and devils” and having “enough energy to power a small town,” the band that formed while at school is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Fiddlers Bid, made up of four fiddlers backed by guitar, harp, bass and piano, see their ten-date Stay Young And Fresh Tour dipping south of the Scottish border for just four shows, of which Saltaire is the first.

Named after one of Shetland’s oldest traditions of inviting a fiddler to a wedding or party at the last minute in the hope of getting free entertainment, Fiddlers Bid have an international reputation for bringing the spirit and passion of such Shetland gatherings to the stage.

They have played around the world, taking in Europe, Australia, Japan and America. Their most recent album won Scots Traditional Album of the Year and they were nominated for Best Live Band at the 2011 BBC folk awards.

Friday’s support band will be The 309s, playing US country and swing in the styles of the 1920s to the 1950s. They are back after closing the open-air stage to a rapturous audience at this year’s Saltaire Festival.

For tickets, or for more details, visit saltairelive.co.uk.