Headlining the final concert of Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering on the Saturday night will be Irish singer and bouzouki player Daoirí Farrell, accompanied by bodhran player Robbie Walsh and uilleann piper Michael O’Connell.
Recently awarded ‘male vocalist of the year’ by LiveIreland, Daoirí has been described as “one of most important singers to come out of Ireland in recent years”. Armed with several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and a new album produced Irish music legend Donal Lunny, the rich vocals and charming personality of this ‘True-born Irishman’ (title of his 2016 album) is bound to ensure a sell-out concert. Organisers extend grateful thanks to Culture Ireland for their sponsorship of this evening. Providing musical support for Daoirí Farrell’s concert will be Peddyr Cubberley Trad Trio – Manx flautist and talented tune-smith, Peddyr Cubberley, with Malcolm Stitt (guitar) and Russell Cowin (bodhran).
Friday evening at Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering will see the premiere of an exciting new Breton-Manx collaboration between two charismatic performers from Brittany; singer Lors Landat and accordionist Thomas Moisson – and two well-known Manx performers; harpist Mera Royle (winner of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician 2018) and keyboard/fiddle player and composer David Kilgallon (King Chiaullee, Chronicles and Mec Lir). This unique concert is sponsored by Thornton Chartered Financial Planners, and it promises to be an unmissable evening of new and traditional music celebrating the firm friendship between these two Celtic nations!
Top Scottish harpist Rachel Hair will be joined by guitarist Ron Jappy and they will be promoting their new album, ‘Sparks’ at Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering. Rachel is already well known in the Island as Culture Vannin’s harp teacher and she currently teaches over 20 young Manx harpists.
Opening Yn Chruinnaght’s Celtic Gathering concert series is Welsh Celtic supergroup, Mabon, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. With seven albums under their belts, Jamie Smith’s Mabon present a wide dynamic range, from quiet, reflective melodies and songs to loud and exciting music which has brought audiences to their feet around the world. Sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the Mabon concert will also feature Manx music legends, The Mollag Band who will be setting off to represent the Isle of Man at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in August.
No headliners, ALL these bands are amazing! From Rajasthan to Gambia, Nigeria to Serbia, Brazil to Romania! three bands each night, and all for £45 early bird tickets (£25 each night tickets available later). Weekend tickets available now at Celtic Gold, Peel, Corlett’s Jewellers, Castle Street Douglas , ShaktiMan Ramsey and Thompson Travel Port Erin.
No headliners, ALL these bands are amazing! From Rajasthan to Gambia, Nigeria to Serbia, Brazil to Romania! three bands each night, and all for £45 early bird tickets (£25 each night tickets available later). Weekend tickets available now at Celtic Gold, Peel, Corlett’s Jewellers, Castle Street Douglas , ShaktiMan Ramsey and Thompson Travel Port Erin.
There’s no other band out around like Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Led by fiddling wiz Gordie “Crazy Legs” MacKeeman, the roots quartet features all-star pickers and singers, with everything from down-home country to reckless rockabilly to intricate bluegrass. Now the boys are back in town with their fourth and latest release, Dreamland.
The band spent the past year exciting crowds all over the world, from Denmark’s Tonder Festival and the U.K.’s Cambridge Folk Festival, to Merlefest in North Carolina and the Blue Mountains Music Festival in Australia. Crowds love them everywhere they go, thanks to Gordie’s charm (and flying fiddle and feet) and their unique blend of just about every roots genre going. They love it all, old and new, and put on a variety show that has the fans dancing, laughing and singing along.
Dreamland is a big step forward for the group, as it features the greatest number of vocal tracks they’ve ever featured on an album. That highlights the development of the quartet, with all four members writing and singing their own material, and bringing their own strengths to the table. From the Cajun rocker “Sittin’ In A Bar” to classic country sounds in “Strength In Numbers” to the beautiful lullabye of the title track, the group is showing their writing skills match their playing talents. It’s a versatile, wide-ranging showcase that mirrors the live show, with four singers and multi-instrumentalists.
The members are all musical Swiss Army knives, able to pull out whatever instrument or style is needed. Peter Cann handles acoustic and electric guitars, banjo and vocals, Thomas Webb can be found on stand-up bass, guitar, banjo, steel guitar and vocals, Jason Burbine moves between drums, bass, guitar and singing, and while Gordie is mainly on fiddle, he’ll grab the guitar, sit behind the drum kit and sing lots too.
On Dreamland the band wanted to capture all that versatility, and went off in search of a producer who could work in lots of styles. They found him in Mississippi native R.S. Field, best known for his work with Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle, Tim O’Brien and Allison Moorer. “It’s nice to work with someone who gets the sound,” says MacKeeman. “It has bluegrass elements, it has rockabilly elements, it has old-time elements, but to us it’s all the same thing. That’s why we wanted someone who understands rockabilly base as well as old-time fiddle and accordions.
In addition to songs written and sung by each member, there’s room for some great cover tunes. There’s a fiddle and banjo-fired version of the old ’60’s hit by The Hollies, “Stop Stop Stop,” and beloved P.E.I. songwriter Gene MacLellan’s “Just Want To Be Loved By You.” And the biggest surprise is a mysterious number that turns out to be “Run With Us,” the theme song from the ’80’s Canadian cartoon classic, The Raccoons. “The original is very 80’s pop,” says MacKeeman. “But we do it so different, it’s been great, it’s fun seeing people get that eureka moment when they realize what it is. It usually doesn’t take very long.”
Dreamland is an album that moves from highlight to highlight, showcasing everything the band has to offer. There’s no filler here, it’s packed with their very best songs and very best styles. “I’m one of those people that has to enjoy everything on an album, and that’s what we were shooting for, an album that holds people until the end,” says MacKeeman. “And we always like albums to be a souvenir of our live show. To bring people back to that feeling they got seeing us live.”
That feeling? The playing, the singing, the music, and those crazy legs? Feel the fun, with Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.
The annual PCC narropera performance. Mozart’s Figaro opera is one of the most beautiful in the whole opera repertoire, with an entertaining story and wonderful music. Narropera fascinates by drawing the listener into a ‘Tale for Grown-ups, told in speech and song’.
Mez & the Fezzes is an all-star band featuring members of the Van Morrison Band, Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and Madness.
Between them they have worked with BB King, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Robert Plant, Joss Stone and many many more.
Led by drummer/lead singer Mez Clough, the Fezzes play an infectious mix of rhythm & blues, rock ‘n’ roll, surf and swing. They keep the dance floor rocking with classic tunes from the likes of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino as well as cult movie themes from Quentin Tarantino.
The band has performed at the Madness ‘House of Fun’ Festival and top UK Vintage event Twinwood Festival.
