Entertainment
Barley Boys
The Barley Boys play high energy original, traditional, and contemporary Irish music; with a mix of Country, Island, Rock, Ballads, Jazz, Bluegrass and Blues. Their inspiration for Celtic music comes from researching their lineage; trips to Ireland solidify the sense of heritage. The individual talents of The Barley Boys produce powerful drums, melodic bass, high energy fiddle and innovative guitars all join together to form a new full and exciting sound. The band members are Michael Babick: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Lead Vocal and Songwriting. Arty Artymiw: 5 String Elec-tric Violin, Background Vocal. Michael Kurman: Electric Bass Guitar, Background Vocal. Andy Meyer: Drum Kit, Percussion.
Barleyjuice
With five studio albums and a double CD collection to date, these five kilted yanks are currently one of the most beloved celtic rock bands in the USA. Kyf Brewer's signature whiskey-soaked vocals perfectly trademark the group's quick-witted and catchy originals, and partner Keith "Swanny" Swanson is no slouch, lithely covering additional lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, whistle, bouzouki, and bagpipes. Both originally piped in the Loch Rannoch Pipe Band, and performed in Edinburgh's Millennium March for Prince Charles. While Swanson was once a member of New York's legendary Flailin' Shilaleghs, Kyf's been a pro performer since his first band, The Ravyns, produced the hit "Raised on the Radio" for the film Fast Times At Ridgemont High, and his lead vocals and writing skills soon after earned Company of Wolves high accolades for their eponymous Mercury/Polygram debut.
The ayes have it - Barleyjuice is a grand group of talented tunesmiths and prodigious performers, and the absolute best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt.
Blackwater
A dynamic blend of traditional Celtic instrumentation, modern rhythms and strong vocal harmonies form the essence of Blackwater.
For over 10 years, this 5 piece PA/NJ band has been pleasing fans with high energy talent described as "Sheer Ceili aerobics!" From street corners and pubs to concert halls and festival stages (and just about everywhere in between), the band never fails to delight their audience and deliver a memorable performance of traditional, contemporary and original Celtic Music.
On their own, each is an accomplished performer…but together, these five friends and musicians are Blackwater and their shared talents create a unique style that is "Purely Original...Unmistakably Celtic...Traditional with a Twist!".
Brother
Fusing signature vocals and guitar with the deep pulse of the didgeridoo, the soaring highs of the bagpipes, and tribal percussion, BROTHER is wholly original. The band’s powerhouse live performances are an energetic celebration, captivating and engaging the audience from the first song to the last. Brother evolved its trademark sound while touring extensively in the United States and in Canada, Japan, France, Egypt and Australia.
Brother live today is a powerhouse celtic tribal trio. The band's legendary live shows have reached a whole new level, with soul brothers Angus, Dalbo and Drew filling the stage with their energy and sound. The band has shared stages with Joe Walsh, John Entwhistle, Linkin Park, and Alicia Keys and are the only independent band to have played the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
www.brothermusic.com/fr_home.cfm
Bua
A quintet comprised of some of America’s most talented, young musicians, Bua have been described by Irish Music Magazine as “the essence of a superb band,” their sound “a throwback to the playing of the 1960s and 1970s, keeping the music down the path of tradition” and their 2006 release, Live at Martyrs’, “a work without gimmicks, where the musicianship is of the highest quality.”
It is no surprise then that Bua, lending to its Irish Gaelic meaning of ‘innate gift,’ have quickly raised to the status of America’s premier traditional Irish music ensemble.
Burning Bridget Cleary
Called “the Allman Brothers of Celtic fiddle bands, only prettier” (Mike Weekly, Pottstown Mercury), Burning Bridget Cleary features the musical talents of Rose Baldino and new member, Deirdre Lockman, who lead the band with high-energy and tightly woven harmonies in both fiddle and vocals. The driving rhythm and bass end is supplied by Philadelphia native, Lou Baldino on guitar, and percussionist, Peter Trezzi, on djembe drum.
In the spring of 2011, Burning Bridget Cleary completed a weeklong tour of Ireland where they performed at seven different venues from Dublin to Galway. While there, the band had a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to visit the rural Tipperary cottage of their namesake, Bridget Cleary, who is remembered as "the last witch burned in Ireland". Another musical tour to Ireland is in the works for June 2013. Known for their captivating sound and engaging stage presence, Burning Bridget Cleary is currently one of the hottest young acts on the Celtic and folk music circuits.
Cassie and Maggie MacDonald
Fun, exciting, charming and talented Cassie and Maggie MacDonald are a dynamic Celtic sister duo who have emerged onto the music scene as the ones to watch.
Born in Halifax, with strong roots in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the girls have been wowing audiences across Canada with their unique blend of original and traditional Celtic music. Cassie's fiddle playing has been described as "sweet and elegant with just the right amount of raw power" while Maggie's piano playing has an irresistible drive that will leave your foot incapable of staying still and complements Cassie's playing perfectly.
Together these delightful sisters bring more than your average fiddle and piano duo; Cassie is an award winning highland and step dancer and also sings harmony for Maggie. In addition to her piano playing, Maggie sings lead, plays guitar, banjo, accordion and is also an accomplished step dancer. Their music fits together seamlessly encompassing various styles from Cape Breton reels to Antigonish polkas, Quebecois fiddling and footwork to down east standards. Their vocal harmonies are sweet yet powerful and their step dancing exact and exciting, showing off their youthful charm and energy.
Emish
For over a decade, members of Emish have been performing in various professional groups including anything and everything from Traditional Irish, Irish Rock and Punk to Symphony Orchestras. Individually, they have toured as far as Europe and Japan honing their performing skills- all preparing them for the day that they would collectively form Emish. With the versatility and well-seasoned skills, combined with on-stage foot stomping energy and off-stage charisma, Emish has been making fans from one coast to the other. Their music includes "emishified" traditional songs and tunes with their own original compositions that create a sound described as "Celtic Rock with an edge".
Whether they are playing on the main stage at a festival, theatre halls or pubs, Emish brings an energy packed show with witty banter on stage, leaving their fans asking for more.
Four Leaf Clovers
The Four Leaf Clovers are a dynamic foursome of young gents with diverse personalities and a mutual love for all things Irish. The group is comprised of Peter “The Comic” Gambino, age 15, Alex “The Historian” Brown, age 15, and two brothers: Vincent “The Scholar” Behe, age 17, and Dominic “The Musician” Behe, age 15. The Four Leaf Clovers came together two years ago at their homeschool co-op, when the boys spontaneously struck up a rendition of The Rocky Road to Dublin. What began as a lark soon turned into a serious musical pursuit, with the group’s appearance at Celtic Fest being one of the highlights of their career. Accompanied by tin whistle, guitar, and accordion, the boys lend their sweet harmonies to a repertoire that includes ballads, sea chanties, and pub favorites. Fresh, energetic, and full of charm, the Four Leaf Clovers are stars undeniably on the rise!
http://the-four-leaf-clovers.weebly.com/
Girsa
We have all known each other since we were very young, growing up participating in Irish music and dance in our community of Pearl River, New York.
Most of us come from musical families, with our parents having learned Irish traditional music from such greats as Martin Mulvihill, Maureen Glynn Connelly, and Pete Kelly. Some of our parents and their lifelong friends carry on this great tradition by teaching music in the community.
We loved playing together so much that we started our own band just over 6 years ago and called it Girsa, which means “young girls” in Gaelic. We’ve been having tons of fun ever since!
Glengarry Bhoys
A passion inspired by their respective musical backgrounds; skills honed in the Glengarry melting pot music scene; an against-the-trend-pig-minded-approach to playing their self-penned songs in the battle-scarred pubs of Eastern Ontario, were the necessary ingredients that spawned what is now an internationally acclaimed alternative-roots band: the Glengarry Bhoys.
Described as bold, unorthodox, vibrant, and evocative, the Glengarry Bhoys hybrid of Canadian Highland Scots and French Canadian musical idioms has evolved into a sound that is weighty, authoritative, and extremely entertaining. A Glengarry Bhoys show is both a musical and visual experience. Blending old and new their music is stirring and unerringly nuanced – always within earshot of the melodic Scottish tradition!
Ice Wagon Flu
ICEWAGON FLU is one of the most original bands to come onto the music scene in years. Since 2001, the band has created a fun mixture of genre bending world-music pop, which has solidified a growing cult following and insured a place in Indy rock. While releasing four full length studio albums, one EP, included on five compilations, and six film soundtracks.
"Jokesters on a musical adventure that takes the audience to Ireland, and to the Calypso Islands." (Pulse Weekly)
They've been called The Rolling Stones meets XTC meets The Hothouse Flowers meets They Might Be Giants meets The Pogues, but you shouldn't believe any of that crap. The Flu are exactly what they say they are--The Greatest Band of All Times.
Jameson Sisters
This lively duo combines harp, mandolin, and guitar with soaring vocals. Ellen Tepper developed an interest in early harp music when growing up in Vienna, Austria. Terry Kane was immersed in her families Irish culture, dancing, playing and singing. Terry has studied Gaelic for over a decade. This duo plays many styles of Celtic music from ancient tunes on the Irish wire-strung harp or Gaelic sean nós songs to lively jigs and reels on the Celtic harp or contemporary Irish songs.
Both Ellen and Terry hold degrees in music and are full-time musicians available for events during the weekday and weekends. The Jameson Sisters are in demand for Celtic weddings, festivals and private parties.
Matt & Shannon Heaton
Every Irish traditional musician has a collection of peak session memories: the spontaneous night of tunes after hours in the back of a pub, the house party in rural Clare with that wonderfully ancient concertina player, the songs swapped backstage at a festival.
Matt and Shannon Heaton share many similar Irish music memories, because they have performed together from their first meeting in Chicago in 1991. Behind their Irish flute- and guitar-driven tunes and stirring songs is a deep well of mutual memories, setbacks, and triumphs.
Runa
Runa draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.
Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Fiddlers’ Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Hazel O’Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Barcó, and the Guy Mendilow Band.
Scythian
Dubbed by The Washington Post as “one of DC’s most energetic and eclectic bands” Scythian (sith-ee-yin) belts out a high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music with one goal in mind; to get people on their feet and dancing. These classically trained musicians are natural showmen who seamlessly blend kicked-up Celtic, folk and world music, and deliver it with a punk-rock sensibility. Combine this with the driving rhythm of a jazz percussionist, and you’ve got the ingredients for a show you won’t soon forget. In a single song, they transport an audience across the globe with the alluring and dramatic strains of gypsy fiddles, the bounce of a Celtic reel, and then cross back over the border to pick up a klezmer hook and some good old-fashioned bluegrass licks. Scythian are alchemists in their use of crowd participation. As The Washington Post states, their results are always the same: “…the band’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.
Seamus Kennedy
Seamus Kennedy has a huge repertoire that includes traditional Irish music, classic Country & Western, American standards, Scottish ballads, and kids' shows: entertainment for "the wee ones." Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, has been entertaining audiences all over the United States for almost four decades.
An accomplished guitarist with a ready wit and a vast store of songs, he travels the country performing for thousands of people each year. Kennedy’s ability to combine a total command of the music with humor makes him unique in the industry. His strong interactive entertainment skills and his participation with his audiences have helped him create an exceptionally loyal fan base everywhere he goes.
He's incredibly talented and fun!
The Celtic Rebels
The Celtic Rebels have been performing in pubs and at private parties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Jimmy Farrel leads the band with over 30 years of Irish music under his kilt. The Celtic Rebels are sure to please all with a wide range of songs from beautiful ballads to energetic drinking songs.
Jimmy Farrel who performs on 6 and 12 string guitar and vocals is accompanied by Bob Scarr on bass and electric 6 string guitar, with Jim Thompson on piano accordion and backup vocals.
The band roster consists of Jimmy Farrell, Bob Scarr and Jim Thompson
The Town Pants
With a decade’s worth of headlining Roots and Celtic festivals to selling out nights at rock venues, The Town Pants own brand of Celtic roots rock rebel spans five albums so far, backed up with a legendary live show that’s garnered them fans internationally from New York to Norway.
And while The Pacific Northwest may not be the first place you would expect to hear rollicking Celtic roots music, but The Town Pants are determined to change that. The Vancouver, Canada based band combines aspects of Irish traditional, folk rock and roots Americana, fusing their signature dual lead vocals to create their own unique brand of high energy "West Coast Celtic." that remains in the heart and head long after the music stops. There are lots of Celtic folk rock bands out there, but rarely does a band have this combination of passion, energy, animation and spirit that makes for some of the most imaginative songwriting you’ll find in the genre.
Timlin and Kane
Well known in the Philadelphia area, the duo of Timlin and Kane has been playing to great acclaim for audiences throughout the East Coast and beyond for over thirty eight years. Gerry was born in Ireland where he developed an early interest in traditional Irish music and Tom Kane, born in Philadelphia of Irish/Welsh stock, heard the music from his earliest remembrances. Over the years, Gerry's love of music expanded to include Scottish, American, Canadian, and Australian folk music as well. He moved to the USA in the early seventies where he teamed up with Tom. While playing the clubs and pubs of that time, Gerry and Tom played popular folk music and began to incorporate more Irish traditional and folk music that their audiences continue to enjoy. Timlin and Kane continue year after year to delight audiences with their offbeat humor which is a great part of their appeal as well as pure and compelling presentations of the traditional and contemporary Celtic music they love They are invited back year after year to all the major venues they play as their music and approach is always fresh and the audience always entertained.