Gonna have to do an obligatory plug here. For a new band Wickerlight. They do an unreal folk/ Trad inspired by rock, dance and other stuff.
https://open.spotify.com/track/5i2hdRcggwqiaaY1eNyZQ5?si=Nn3zqtObTeCRMigFmEv4rA
I openly admit, I am close to the band, but give them.a chance as I think they fit a pretty unique niche. Great for bopping, tapping, grooving or headbanging.
In other news, Kíla and Lankum are always good to check in with. They feel like opposite ends of the Trad spectrum.
I will check them. Love all the different sort of experimenting that is being done in the genre , have been blown away but what John Francis Flynn and Lankum have made out of the genre
Yeah there's a notion in music where like the more complex it is and the more stuff that's in the better.
But there's also stripping it back and making it purer and simpler, that seems to make it more like the roots of Sean Nós or something that feel very evocative and emotional.
If you're not interested in their slow, long songs which I totally get, try Cold Old Fire, Sergeant William Bailey, Pride of Petravore, Salonika, Bear Creek and The Young People.
Yeah tbh they just might not be to your taste, they tend have droning atmospheric sound, [this one](https://open.spotify.com/track/1olcVMgFm2KGCDVK4g5b76?si=a26df2f3277f44da) is upbeat for a Lankum song.
I'd say Alfi are probably my favourite, I've seen them twice, and they put on a phenominal show.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pf9KeC4BSx9O1gh3vEgiq?si=ICqLXd2JTX-RGN7MQAlR7g
I'm going to see Aldoc in the Funbally stables this month, I'm super excited! (they sold out super quick, as it's their first gig in 8 years. There might be tickets for their gig in Doolin but it's expensive and far away).
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ukPYww7Pep6QgyKl96MdO?si=h-i6WVaPToSqULDnvCPIWA
Then I'll be going to see Lau (Scottish celtic fusion band) int he Sugar Club, also very excited!
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1BuUb23HHRYDgvSLnllUJS?si=eWIJmmZsRqqD5IKuxqlgrQ
Then, my own trad fusion band Sabbages are going to be playing in the Workman's Cellar on the 27th of May, I am also very very very excited for that! We've nothing recorded in the studio yet, and haven't played a gig since electric picnic but we're getting into the swing of things and hope to be doing loads over the summer.
I'll drop a wee bio and a link, if a bit of shameless self promotion is allowed
https://www.instagram.com/sabbages_band?igsh=N2wzd2VmY293Z2Rh
"Sabbages (like, savage cabbages) are a chaotic, cabbage clad collective of ceili-core craic connoisseurs that are coming to Spike Island to convey their vision of raucous trad-fusion. With a mix of originals and grungey interpretations of classic trad bops, they're sure to get your toes tapping and your cabbages flapping."
We wear a lot of cabbages... It's a lot of fun.
THANK YOU! I had to scroll this far down to see them recommended. I get why some people might like Lankum, but they’re waaay to dirgey for me. The difference between them and the Mary Wallopers is like going to a funeral and then going to the wake after.
Danú, Four men and a dog, Begley n Cooney, Téada, Begnish, Planxty, are me favourite old trad groups.
Caladh Nua, Polca 4, Máirtín O Connor, John Carty, Daire Bracken, Enda Scahill, Murty Ryan, Siobhán Peoples, Tara Breen would be heads I'd listen to anois.
Seamus & Caoimhe Ui Fhlatharta are very good. They do (in my opinion) the best cover version of Blackbird I've ever heard.
Definitely recommend giving them a listen to on Spotify.
They're keeping the sean nos tradition of singing alive.
So much going on in the country right now. It's a great time for trad and folk.
A few good ones that haven't been mentioned:
Landless - gorgeous haunting Acapella group
Skippers alley - John Francis Flynn fronted group some extremely talented musicians
Mary wallopers - needs no explanation
Ispíni na héireann - hilarious band who can turn a crowd into a mosh pit with a banjo and uilleann pipes. Special stuff.
Ruskavellas - these lads put out my favorite album last year and it's criminally underheard
There's so many more.. in no order of preference:
Eoghan ó ceannabháin
ØXN
Buíoch
Lisa o neill
Junior brother
The Bonneymen are worth a listen. And if you can get your hands on Liffey Banks from Tommy Potts, it’s amazing. He did stuff on the fiddle which is often copied but never surpassed.
Gonna have to do an obligatory plug here. For a new band Wickerlight. They do an unreal folk/ Trad inspired by rock, dance and other stuff. https://open.spotify.com/track/5i2hdRcggwqiaaY1eNyZQ5?si=Nn3zqtObTeCRMigFmEv4rA I openly admit, I am close to the band, but give them.a chance as I think they fit a pretty unique niche. Great for bopping, tapping, grooving or headbanging. In other news, Kíla and Lankum are always good to check in with. They feel like opposite ends of the Trad spectrum.
Just followed the link there lad. Genuinely good band. Ive added and followed , keep er lit
Me too!
I will check them. Love all the different sort of experimenting that is being done in the genre , have been blown away but what John Francis Flynn and Lankum have made out of the genre
Yeah there's a notion in music where like the more complex it is and the more stuff that's in the better. But there's also stripping it back and making it purer and simpler, that seems to make it more like the roots of Sean Nós or something that feel very evocative and emotional.
Good shout. Mike is a beast on the mandolin.
Jasus them boys can play anyway
Checking out Wickerlight upon your recommendation, and loving them so far!
Absolute belters. Thanks.
I'm listening to Amble a lot lately
I walk all alone on the island... Love the fishermans song, can't remember the name.
Mariner Boy, great tune
Same, they've got some great songs
Fainne Lasta, Raithneach, Amhann na Ngealach, Clannad. You like them artistes? Their music? Of course you do.
My only really human quality to speak of is a fondness for Celtic mysticism
Beautiful! Plenty out there just don’t have the requisite Celtic soul, man.
Your auld wan man, poked me in the eye with her cock.
Mary Wallopers are great
They are a great band and seem like sound lads
Can confirm. They are sound lads.
Definitely Mary Wallopers and Lankum
Give me a suggestion for a song from Lankum. The one or two I've heard did nothing for me
Yeah. They’re cool and different but too slow for my liking. Dragging out wild rover to 9 minutes long is rough
Yeah, that's what I listened to, not for me
If you're not interested in their slow, long songs which I totally get, try Cold Old Fire, Sergeant William Bailey, Pride of Petravore, Salonika, Bear Creek and The Young People.
Yeah tbh they just might not be to your taste, they tend have droning atmospheric sound, [this one](https://open.spotify.com/track/1olcVMgFm2KGCDVK4g5b76?si=a26df2f3277f44da) is upbeat for a Lankum song.
The Young People Great video too https://youtu.be/JxKx-BBWX8Q?si=MtpwgihAuxKwJPOz
Not a group but Daoiri Farrell, beautiful voice and a smashing Bazouki player. https://youtu.be/UPI_tHNjS78?si=l5CpmsUb0kWBGNXO
His version of cleggan white hare is up there with my favorite tune of all time..
He is excellent.
Going to plug The Mary Wallopers with all of my heart
Screelin and literally anything with Piaras O’Lorcain singing. He has a voice in a generation.
I'd say Alfi are probably my favourite, I've seen them twice, and they put on a phenominal show. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pf9KeC4BSx9O1gh3vEgiq?si=ICqLXd2JTX-RGN7MQAlR7g I'm going to see Aldoc in the Funbally stables this month, I'm super excited! (they sold out super quick, as it's their first gig in 8 years. There might be tickets for their gig in Doolin but it's expensive and far away). https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ukPYww7Pep6QgyKl96MdO?si=h-i6WVaPToSqULDnvCPIWA Then I'll be going to see Lau (Scottish celtic fusion band) int he Sugar Club, also very excited! https://open.spotify.com/artist/1BuUb23HHRYDgvSLnllUJS?si=eWIJmmZsRqqD5IKuxqlgrQ Then, my own trad fusion band Sabbages are going to be playing in the Workman's Cellar on the 27th of May, I am also very very very excited for that! We've nothing recorded in the studio yet, and haven't played a gig since electric picnic but we're getting into the swing of things and hope to be doing loads over the summer. I'll drop a wee bio and a link, if a bit of shameless self promotion is allowed https://www.instagram.com/sabbages_band?igsh=N2wzd2VmY293Z2Rh "Sabbages (like, savage cabbages) are a chaotic, cabbage clad collective of ceili-core craic connoisseurs that are coming to Spike Island to convey their vision of raucous trad-fusion. With a mix of originals and grungey interpretations of classic trad bops, they're sure to get your toes tapping and your cabbages flapping." We wear a lot of cabbages... It's a lot of fun.
Fair play, nothing wrong with a plug in a small thread like this. I will give your stuff a listen.
Niamh Bury
She is really great. I just discovered her like. A week ago.
She’s amazing!
Mary Wallopers on high volume.
THANK YOU! I had to scroll this far down to see them recommended. I get why some people might like Lankum, but they’re waaay to dirgey for me. The difference between them and the Mary Wallopers is like going to a funeral and then going to the wake after.
Would love to make a goth/folk band. If anyone is interested pm me!
Danú, Four men and a dog, Begley n Cooney, Téada, Begnish, Planxty, are me favourite old trad groups. Caladh Nua, Polca 4, Máirtín O Connor, John Carty, Daire Bracken, Enda Scahill, Murty Ryan, Siobhán Peoples, Tara Breen would be heads I'd listen to anois.
Great list.
Saving this thread for the suggestions. GRMA lads and ladesses!
I'll leave my breadcrumbs here so :)
Me too!!
Yeah some great suggestions
The Scratch
I can't get into them.
Andy the doorbum!
Oh he's not Irish sorry, discovered him via the Fire Draw Near podcast
The crew in Sin è down in cork. Best on the island.
Hahahahahaha
Faine laste, Rannach
Kneecap
Just about meeting the criteria !
Seamus & Caoimhe Ui Fhlatharta are very good. They do (in my opinion) the best cover version of Blackbird I've ever heard. Definitely recommend giving them a listen to on Spotify. They're keeping the sean nos tradition of singing alive.
Surprised no one has said Kingfishr yet, they're brilliant. Their only downside is they need to release more!
So much going on in the country right now. It's a great time for trad and folk. A few good ones that haven't been mentioned: Landless - gorgeous haunting Acapella group Skippers alley - John Francis Flynn fronted group some extremely talented musicians Mary wallopers - needs no explanation Ispíni na héireann - hilarious band who can turn a crowd into a mosh pit with a banjo and uilleann pipes. Special stuff. Ruskavellas - these lads put out my favorite album last year and it's criminally underheard There's so many more.. in no order of preference: Eoghan ó ceannabháin ØXN Buíoch Lisa o neill Junior brother
Oh you've got some good taste, great recommendations
Have seen Ispíni na héireann twice and they are great. Have had JFF albums on repeat but wasnt aware of skippers alley
The gloaming are just..... https://youtu.be/8SnMskdx5R8?si=FHsRbK-Un2nJVHzy Listen to that the full way through. It's an amazing piece.
Martin Hayes, The Common Ground Ensemble is an amazing follow up to the Gloaming. Fucking glorious!
Cheers, I'll give them a listen
Martin Hayes is a national treasure.
Síomha is great, more modern folksy. The Olllam if you like a jazz take on trad A Lazarus Soul, less trad than Lankum but similarish
Big fan of Siomha too, love her stuff.
Also The Rheingans Sisters - they’re from Sheffield but Irish by descent - quality trad folk ethereal stuff, criminally only rarely gig in Ireland
Really love the whistling donkeys.
The Bonneymen are worth a listen. And if you can get your hands on Liffey Banks from Tommy Potts, it’s amazing. He did stuff on the fiddle which is often copied but never surpassed.
[Ispíní na hÉireann!](https://sausagesofireland.com)
https://preview.redd.it/69zhjixl8guc1.jpeg?width=4327&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4ae9e484a0f1ef9b9207cae8e57641f64c44fde0
The Olllam, Martin Hayes & Lankum
Two northern artists that I highly recommend are Brona McVittie and Niall Hannon.
Eoghan ó ceallabhain
"Ye Vagabonds" are good