Féile an Phobail’s spring festival, Féile an Earraigh, is set be the highlight of the music calendar this spring with highlights including the legendary Penguin Café Orchestra, the renowned Transatlantic Sessions, and spectacular double headliner nights at the festival marquee.
Headlining this year’s spectacular Clonard Monastery concert on Friday 5th February will be the world famous Penguin Café Orchestra. This ten piece musical phenomenon heavily influenced by folk, bluegrass, avant garde classical music and pop, has enjoyed a continuing cult status, especially for tunes such as ‘Telephone and Rubber Band’ or ‘Music for a Found Harmonium’. Penguin Café is providing a fresh take on the original sound, bringing the music to life with a new line-up and moving it forward, in addition to introducing new compositions.
The festival opens with Celtic Connections: Transatlantic Sessions, bringing a taste of the award-winning BBC show to the stage of the Belfast Waterfront on Thursday the 4th February. Revisiting shared roots and forging new common ground between today's finest Celtic and Americana musicians are Ireland's Cara Dillon, America's Sara Watkins, known for her fiddling and vocal skills as member of Nickel Creek; 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' soundtrack star Dan Tyminski on guitar and mandolin; Old-timey fiddle and song master Bruce Molsky; and festival favourite Tim O'Brienwith sister Mollie. From across the Irish Sea come Burns prodigy and songwriter Eddi Reader and the matriarch of Scots Gaelic song, Karen Matheson of Capercaillie. Last, but my no means least, expect bravura solos, jaw-dropping ensemble medleys and gorgeous song accompaniment from the ultimate house band!
Additionally to the Clonard Concert, Friday night is also the first session night at the festival marquee, located in Bank Square in the city centre (opposite Kelly’s Cellar and Mourne’s Seafood). This night of traditional Irish music, dancing and craic will feature a double headline act by the David Munnelly Band and The JJKs. The David Munnelly Band exploded onto the scene with hit albums in Europe & Japan, dual CD releases in North America, and a full tour schedule. "They are a creative force at the true epicentre of Irish traditional music" (liveIreland.com).
The JJKs is a once off festival-special line-up, hand picked and drawn together by John Joe Kelly; well known for his ferocious and intense bodhrán sessions. The line up features John Joe himself plus Derek Hickey on accordion, Ewen Vernal of Capercaillie on bass, Marcus Maloney on banjo and Tony Byrne on guitar. The coming together of these great artists will be a true celebration of exuberant traditional music.
Saturday night continues in the same high energy, world class vein when the Peatbog Faeries take central stage. Based on the Isle of Skye, they have been described as ‘the future of Celtic Dance Music’. They incorporate many influences which take them from traditional jigs and reels through jazz, hip hop, reggae and more. This is high octane Celtic dance music so be prepared to dance! The band have toured all over the world and won numerous awards, including the ‘Best Live Act’ at the prestigious Scots Trad Music Awards.
The festival closes on Sunday night with a most spectacular finale; another double headliner concert treat at the festival marquee. The double headliner consists of Irish traditional band Beoga and the multi award-winning folk band Lau.
Beoga was drawn together in 2002 after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh. From the beginning Beoga was endowed with massive musical talent, featuring the twin dueling accordians of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray. In 2005, the lineup was complete, with the addition of Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle. Beoga (Irish word for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music.
Lau have an equally impressive story to tell. They are winners of ‘Best Group’ in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2008 & 2009. They are a formidable trio of three of the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional music today. Their now infamous live shows are a must-see experience with an energy and musicianship which is spellbinding. They perform a collection of both traditional and self-penned songs which highlight their unique take on folk music. Highly regarded musicians in their own right, the combined talents of Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O’Rourke make for a fantastic and all-conquering trio. It is no surprise they were once again triumphant at this years BBC Folk Awards. The double headliner of both Beoga and Lau at the festival marquee will make for the most memorable end to an incredible festival line up.
Tickets are available from www.feilebelfast.com; the Belfast Welcome Centre, (028) 9024 6609; Féile an Phobail, Teach na Féile, 473 Falls Road, Belfast, (028) 9031 3440; and An Chultúrlann, 216 Falls Road, (028) 9096 4188.
