Artist Profiles

Bhán tré
Driven by a desire to play the traditional celtic music they loved and respected and seeking an oportunity to perform their original tunes and songs geraldine davis, sue foley and rebecca humpfreys formed a band in 1998 calling themselves bhán tré (gaelic for three women –pron. Ban-tree).

Together the girls create a band which is dedicated to passionate performances with a focus on harmonies and entertainment.  Such is their appeal that they have supported international touring artists finbar furey & lunasa.

Bhán tré has made regular appearances at victorias major folk festivals including port fairy, maldon, beechworth and even making a foray into queensland during the woodford folk festival in 1999. In july 2000 the girls toured ireland, receiving a very generous welcome at the venues in which they performed and hope to return there in the future.

Bhán tré will be performing at the nicholas hotel as a part of the beechworth celtic festival sat 8th november 8.30pm – 12pm and again on sunday 9th nov from 2pm-5pm.  It is an oportunity for the whole family to come and enjoy the fun and passion that is the music of bhán tré.

Geraldine davis: vocals, guitar, bodhran, songwriting
Born ireland, now living in melbourne
Sue foley: vocals, bodhran, tin whistle, songwriting
Born bendigo, now living in melbourne
Rebecca humphreys: vocals, fiddle, tunewriting
Born albury, now living in melbourne

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Colin MacLeod
A native Scottish fiddler, officially emigrated from Scotland to Australia in 2004. He has now made Victoria his home and regularly appears at festivals in Victoria and beyond. With a fiddle style which has its roots steeped in both classical and Scottish music, Colin brings a warmth of tone and sparkle of energy to the Festival.

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Braemar
Based in Melbourne, Braemar, consisting of Eddie Lewis and Marc de Rijk, is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best Celtic duos delighting audiences around the country with an impressive performance resumé of classic Scottish and Irish songs.  The duo is renowned for lavish harmonies and for its “passionate commitment  …..   to continuing the tradition of the Celtic diaspora”.

At the Beechworth Celtic Festival in November 2007, Braemar mesmerised full houses at the Town Hall for two performances of **‘Lochaber No More’, a history of the Jacobite rebellions and the aftermath told in narrative and song.  Reflecting the outstanding performance, the show received a standing ovation on each occasion and there ‘was hardly a dry eye in the house’ such was the stirring of patriotic raw emotion.  The Scottish Australian Heritage Council is eager to support a performance of the show in Sydney in the near future and Braemar anticipates **‘Lochaber No More’ will be performed at Folk and Celtic festivals throughout the nation in 2008/9.

The duo prides itself that Braemar was approached to support the City of Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and provided entertainment at numerous civic occasions – the bid was successful and even the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Liz Cameron, might agree that Braemar had some small part to play in Glasgow’s victory!

Braemar’s albums, Beirt Leaids (2004) and Eire and Alba, Songs of the Gael (2006) were exceptionally well received by fans and critics alike.  The pair plans to launch there 3rd album Lochaber No More’ at the 2008 Beechworth celtic festival

**‘Lochaber No More’ was performed at La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus in Melbourne in October 2007 and at the Beechworth Celtic Festival in November 2007
“Highlight for us, and judging by the crowds in the hall and their standing ovation, the highlight for many others as well, was “Lochaber No More …….”

“Excellent.  Well done!!  Wonderful production of a very sad time for us Scots!  NORMA McPHERSON, RADIO PORT PHILLIP (3RPP)
“Opening sequence was haunting and fantastic – you guys seem to be in perfect harmony to me – great to listen to.  Acoustic guitars sounded great as did all other instruments.  Singing was also great, narration was perfect – clear and meaningful.  TONY BURROWS.

Read more about 'Lochaber No More'>>

Or Visit their site >>

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Sibin
The band Sibin (pron. Shebeen) was formed in Mildura in February of 1998. The original line-up consisted of two vocalists and two guitarists, whose musical focus was on traditional Irish folk music.  Over the past 12 years Sibin has evolved, having several line-up changes with each new member adding their own unique personality to the group.

The current line-up of Sibin has been together for almost 7 years.  The band includes one of the original members Mark Jenkins on lead vocals,  guitar & mandolin along side Charles Hendy on tin whistle & flute, Corey Barbary on banjo & electric guitar, Luke McCarthy on drums and Tim Williams on bass guitar.  Sibin now incorporate many styles of Irish music, from traditional folk to Celtic rock and contemporary.  Their main influences are The Pogues, Van Morrison, Dropkick Murphy’s, Flogging Molly, Brush Shiels, U2 and the Australian artist Paul Kelly.

The band has performed at many venues around Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, which include the Koroit Irish Festival, Beechworth Celtic Festival and the Red Cliffs Folk Festival, and numerous hotels ranging from The Royal Hotel in Queenscliff to Mildura’s O’Malley’s Irish Tavern.  They also continuously donate their time to many charity events such Relay for Life and the Pink Ball.

They have just recently completed work on their debut album titled “Things you can’t polish” which includes many old favourites such as Belfast Mill, A Rovin’ and Greenland Whale Fisheries all of which host a distinct Sibin flavour.

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O'Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers
The O’SHEA-RYAN IRISH DANCE GROUP have been in existence for over 50 years with Branches throughout Victoria including Albury-Wodonga, Echuca, Bendigo, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Kilmore, Warragul and Mildura, and during that time many excellent performers have emerged.

Members of the group have performed throughout Australia, Asia and Europe at a variety of events, Concerts, Parades, International Military Tattoos, outdoor and indoor functions, Multicultural events, charitable and corporate functions, Celtic and Folk Festivals.

Ages range from the very young to the ‘young at heart’. They are beautifully attired in costumes with Celtic designs embroidered on them, and their lively energetic dances are performed to the ‘toe-tapping’ music of  traditional Irish Jigs and Reels which are both lively and entertaining, and have always been greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all.

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Red Cat
*Kerry Dawson* Vocals, Bodhran, Acoustic thingies. Kerry has utilised her crystal clear voice with many different line-ups for many years in a variety of genres covering Rock, Jazz, Blues, Celtic, Folk and Eclectic originals. Kerry has performed lead and backup vocals with many bands including, Chance, Rohan Hammit and the Hound Dog Orchestra and Rebecca Barnard. Kerry’s commitment and versatility is what has kept her singing for so long.

*Mike Daley* Vocals, Guitar, Bodhran. Mike is a prolific singer/songwriter with many years of live work behind him, having played around Australia, England, Germany, Ireland and Italy; often crossing paths with, and collaborating with Rob Carroll. Mike has also written and been musical director for two critically acclaimed musicals; ‘The Long Mile’, and ‘Dare to Dream’.

*Rob Carroll* Vocals, Guitar, Banjo. Bodhran. Rob has an extensive history of live performance, jingle writing for TV/radio and session work. Rob has also played with several well known groups performing everything from Celtic to Contemporary. He has played at major Australian festivals including but not limited to, Port Fairy Folk Festival, the National Celtic Festival, National Folk Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, Beechworth Celtic Festival, and Celtica 07.

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Ricketty Bridge
A wonderful acoustic five piece folk/worldconcert/dance band. With great vocals, playing mandolin, banjolin, fiddle, recorders, double bass and percussion they are a favourite at festivals everywhere. Ricketty Bridge will have you dancing and singing along with their exuberant performance.

Celtic music brought us together but we soon found lots of other flavours, spices and stories bubbling underneath. We let our voices and fingers follow our hearts and now we are world travellers. They dare you to sit still.

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Humbug
In just a couple of years Canberra's ‘Celtic big band’, Humbug, has established itself as a truly popular and accomplished performer of Celtic folk music. With distinctive vocal harmonies and rich instrumental backing, Humbug’s material ranges from poignant Robbie Burns’ songs, to haunting traditional Irish and Scottish ballads and rousing renditions of favourite Celtic ‘sing-alongs’.

Since getting together in 2007, the band has grown to become Canberra’s own Celtic big band and regularly play at the Canberra Burns Club and The Merry Muse folk club. Festival credits include Beechworth Celtic Festival, Music at the Creek, the National Folk Festival, Turning Wave Festival and the inaugural Snowy Mountains of Music and Tuross Music Festivals.

Humbug members love a singalong and welcome the opportunity to use their experience to conduct singing sessions at festivals, clubs and parties. Their combined backgrounds - conducting and performing in community choirs and singing and playing various styles of folk and country music for 35 years - ensure a fun-filled singalong. Please contact us for further details!

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Claymore
Claymore’s reputation as outstanding entertainers has led them to perform at many local and international festivals, they have performed in New York, Scotland, France at the" Festival Interceltique", the largest Celtic festival in the world many times, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Launceston Tasmania, National Celtic Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Big Blues Day Out, Perth International Arts Festival, Brunswick Music Festival and many more. The band has played many live radio and television performances in Australia and overseas. With a mixture of traditional Scottish and Irish music and modern self penned celtic rock the band represents the best of new age Folk Music. Through a diverse and unique mix of sound’s featuring guitar, mandolin, fiddle, military snare, the highland bagpipes and even a didgeridoo, it is little wonder Claymore are one of Australia’s most popular festival acts. A not to be missed extravaganza.

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Shirley Power & Colin Mockett
Shirley has the voice of an angel, Colin has the devil of a sense of humor.
They’re Beechworth favorites, having provided musical biography and comedy shows (Robert Burns, Thomas Moore, The Englishman, Irishman & Scotsman’s Wife etc..) as well as MCing the Saturday concert, hosting the Celtic Dinner and providing droll humor and inside information while commentating on the Grand Parade.
This year Shirley and Colin bring a brand new show Celts Have More Fun! a rich mix of beautiful Celtic music and laughter. The show features Shirley singing a choice selection of classic traditional Celtic songs, accompanying herself on guitar, autoharp and dulcimer, interspersed with great dollops of Celtic humor delivered by Colin. This show acknowledges the undisputed fact that Celts occupy top rankings in the world, not only in the realms of music but also in the sphere of comedy. Celts Have More Fun! is a wonderful mix of super song with gales of laughter. It displays Shirley and Colin at their very best in an unforgettable occasion.

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The Ploughboys
An eclectic mix of folk musicians, masters of their instruments and masters of their trade as story tellers and performers, the Ploughboys are nothing short of marvellous.

The Ploughboys combine original Celtic-rock, Nu-Folk, Acoustic, Australian Country and Traditional at its very best with great harmonies and beautiful musical arrangements leaving The Ploughboys a highly sought after Band on the gigging circuit the world over.

Be sure you do not miss this spectacular show!

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Cassidy’s Ceili
...a band so Celtic it'll turn yer ears green...

Songs and fiddle tunes from Canberra's premier pan-Celtic party band: from traditional Irish and Scottish favourites to some Pogues, Ploughboys and the odd Celtic tune from Hungary and Venezuela, plus rare gems from the little-known Donegal tango tradition.
And we play all those songs you didn't know you knew: traditional Celtic favourites concerning drinking, murder, war, cross-dressing (while at war), robbery (cross-dressing optional), drinking and the usual stuff about not being where you want to be with the one you would have liked to have been with.

And remember: ' Celtic' is a magic bag, into which anything may be put, and out of which almost anything may come... (J.R.R. Tolkien)

 

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Full Circle
Full Circle is Canberra's most exciting Celtic-Australian folk band formed in 1996, Full Circle won the Band section of the Canberra Irish club "Great Irish Music Competition" in 2000. The band is equally at home playing haunting airs on the Hardanger fiddle or playing full-on 'wall-of-death' Irish reels!

In Nov/Dec 2004 Full Circle made its debut international tour, to Beijing in the People's Republic of China where they played to sell-out audiences. The band played a series of live performances - including at the Great Wall Sheraton - and appeared on Radio Beijing.

Jerry (fiddles, bodhran) and Butch (guitars) are former members of Western Australia's chart busting Mucky duck, while Bruce the bass player is one of the best from Adelaide (Jerry's old stomping ground) "We all met up again in Canberra, and, having each come full circle, decided to form the band - hence the name..."

The band's extensive experience shows in their polished and vibrant performance style.Their sessions have been described as nothing less than an 'X-treme Celtic Music workout!' (National Folk Festival, Canberra Australia, 2003)

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Squeebz
Squeebz is a new unit of young, Melbourne-based musicians with a wealth of experience performing in a number of other successful groups in concerts and festivals all across Australia.

With a fresh and exciting approach to interpreting traditional Irish, Scottish, Old Time and Cape Breton music, this new configuration of talented and award-winning multi-instrumentalists promises to crank out some awesome music. Read more: Click Here

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The Go Set
Since the bands formation in 2003, The Go Set has been a unique musical experience. Four studio albums, relentless tours, raw & chaotic live shows united with powerful songs and a strong social conscience...

The Go Set have created a sound of its own by combining traditional folk instruments with distorted punk guitars & timeless rock n roll energy. The band has performed at Australia’s best venues & festivals such as the Forum Theatre, Falls Festival, Pyramid Rock, Queenscliff Music Festival...

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The Colonials
The Colonials were first formed in the late 1960's, so you can imagine they are a very experienced group of musicians! Over the last thirty something years, The Colonials have developed their own distinctive sound. Playing a great blend of traditional Celtic music and early Australian Folk, creating a Irish Australian colonial feel. It's like they've just stepped off the first fleet, smuggling over their instruments...

The Colonials are great for Irish or Australian events, concerts, festivals, or general celebrations. The five piece group features guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, whistle, uilleann pipes and vocals. Their musicianship and entertaining live shows have truly stood the test of time. Ooray!

 

Our website will be updated regularly to show listings of performers as we get booking confirmations.

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