English

Over the past two years An Droichead has quickly and professionally established itself as the premier traditional music venue in South Belfast. Moreover, this is a reputation that has travelled throughout Belfast and beyond; one which has granted us access to the very finest of international and local traditional music talent. Concert nights are a beacon of musical celebration here at the Lárionad. The atmosphere is always commented upon by our first time visitors, and is one of the reasons that our concert nights are now regularly sold out. The fact that promoters and artists alike are aware that they will play to a full house and to an appreciative and knowledgeable audience enables us to attract the cream of traditional artists to south Belfast.

Friday 27th August 2010

Buille & Líadan

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £10.00

Buille was formed in 2004 by Armagh born brothers Niall and Caoimhín Vallely along with Paul Meehan and Brian Morrissey as a vehicle to perform a body of new tunes written in a traditional style with contemporary arrangements. The resultant sound was picked up on by Donald Shaw and Vertical Records who immediately offered to produce and release the groups’ debut album. “Buille” which was released to rave reviews and was described in the Irish Times:

“Buille is as fresh a breath that’s blown through traditional (and roots) circles in a long, long time.”

With these musicians there was an intensity and concentration that I hadn’t yet seen. For me great music takes you away and stirs you up. With Buille, players and audience alike were caught up – ever so slightly on edge – until the incredible journey was over.

Sarah Hunter Live review from Hebridean Celtic Festival

The uniqueness of Líadan lies in the deeply traditional essence of their music and in each band member’s ability to shine both instrumentally and vocally. Líadan’s stage presence exudes a group personality that is both vibrant and engaging. Their tune playing features striking string and reed rhythms and accompaniments, while always keeping the melody central to their arrangements. Coupled with that, the members are highly talented vocalists, displaying an astounding ability to move audiences with their settings of traditional and sean-nós songs in the Gaelic and English language, using acapella, harmonies and instrumental arrangements.

‘The next major global force in Irish traditional music’

Irish Music Awards 2009:

‘Best Young Irish Traditional Act’ and ‘Best Newcomer’. Nominees.

Saturday 28th August

Lumiere & Guidewires

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets £10.00

Lumiere is Éilís Kennedy and Pauline Scanlon; two exceptional vocalists from Dingle, County Kerry Two distinct voices one unique sound, Ireland. Together as Lumiere, they offer a distinctly feminine sound and feel, where voice is the primary instrument and Ireland as motherland is re-imagined. With Lumiere, the song and its delivery are the primary focus, technical concerns give way to feeling as song and singer effortlessly merge. Their live performances are a truly memorable experience.

“The perils and triumphs of daily life are writ large on this collection from two newly paired west Kerry singers, Éilís Kennedy and Pauline Scanlon. Their name, Lumiere, and major label support hint at their potential to reach well beyond a “traditional music” audience”. Siobhan Long Irish Times Review.

Guidewires have an all-star line up with Irish music’s most famous concertina player Pádraig Rynne, Breton music’s hottest name Sylvain Barou on Flute, one of Ireland’s most recognisable names Tóla Custy on fiddle, top producer and performer Paul McSherryKarol Lynch on Bouzouki. on guitar and one of the fastest growing stars in Irish music,

All members have had renowned fame individually within music. Their love and passion of this music has brought them together to create this unique and groundbreaking band “Guidewires”. The bands debut album “Live” was released in Sept ‘09 and is described by The Irish Times as ” A spectacular, multicoloured debut”.

Early 2011 will see the release of their second album. Many of the new sets can be heard in this concert for the first time and show that the band continue to push music to the edge of its boundaries. Be prepared for a night of electrifying tunes with arrangements that are sure to make you fall in love with this bands music.

Sunday 29th August 2010,

Kathleen MacInnes Band & The Damien O’Kane Trio

Doors 7:30pm

Tickets £10.00

Kathleen MacInnes: With her second album due for release late Autumn and having recorded the soundtrack for Ridley Scott’s “Robin Hood” 2010 has been a busy year for this amazing vocalist for south Uist. Kathleen has unique vocal colour and an ability to breathe dramatic life into her songs, and her debut album “Og-mhadainn Shamhraidh” was awarded best folk album on its release in 2006. Accompanying Kathleen on stage for the evening will be three of traditional music’s most renowned performers and composers;

Iain MacDonald, has been a founding member of, played and toured with the finest of Scottish traditional music bands including ‘Ossian’, Wolfstone’ and the ‘Battlefield Band’. He is currently Artistic director of ‘Ceolas’, the Gaelic Arts Festival in South Uist.

Accordionist Blair Douglas was a founder member of the bands Runrig, Mactalla and Cliar, and has created a series of highly-regarded recordings under his own name. In 2008 Blair was voted Composer of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

Laoise Kelly subverts all clichéd images of Irish colleens with harps by playing driving instrumental music and has been involved in more than 50 recordings with artists Sinéad O’Connor, Tríona, Maighread and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, , The Chieftains, Mary Black, Donal Lunny and Kate Bush,

Damien O’Kane Trio

“Gorgeous songs, blistering tunes”

Damien O’Kane

Damien’s musical career has earned him credit as a creative and exciting musician and singer. His banjo playing has given him a reputation as one of the finest Irish players on the scene today, he is also a noted singer focusing on songs from his native Ulster.

Fresh from touring with Kate Rusby he his probably best known for his work with Shona Kipling and Flook. He is fast becoming know as one of the finest singers on the traditional music scene.

Joining Damien on stage for the evening will be none other than John Joe Kelly and Gerard Thompson.

John Joe Kelly ‘…to say John Joe Kelly plays the bodhran, is like saying Mount Everest is a bit of a climb’ – Sidmouth Music Festival, Paul Saunders.

Gerard Thompson is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s finest acoustic guitarists and regularly appears with artist such as Alan Kelly, Cathal Hayden, Finbar Furey, Ralph McTell,and At First Light

Damien released his first solo album “Summer Hill” on 3rd May 2010 to rave reviews.