| Performers | Local Artists | Visiting Artists |
Visiting Artists
| Aniar | Between the Wars | Bhán tré |
| Colin MacLeod | Eddie Lewis | Highlander |
| Humbug | Miles to go Trio | OShea-Ryan Irish Dancers |
| Saoirse | Sibin | The Colonials |
| The Go Set | Zeptepi |
Highlander - Celtic Rock Band
In 2008 the band played its first international show in Jakarta headlining the annual 'Scotland in Concert' which helped establish the band as a truly international act.
Highlander received a standing ovation with the organisers claiming Highlander was the best act they have had. On the flight home the talk was all about a new album which was recorded in 2009 and released in 2010.
The album "North of the Wall" is testimony to the bands commitment to explore and produce rich and vibrant music. The diverse album is an arrangement of well know jigs and reels blended with original works.
"If the sound of Highland bagpipes stirs the blood and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end - then Highlander is a show not to be missed."
-----------------------------------------------------------Miles to go trio
The Miles To Go trio line up, originally an offshoot of the full Miles To Go band for smaller festivals and house concerts, began with performances at the Maldon and Beechworth festivals in Victoria in 2007.
The trio has now established it self as a concert/touring act in its own right, gaining in popularity at festivals around Australia and selling out shows on its 2009 South West tour of WA. In 2010 the trio made its first trip to the USA for the International Folk Alliance Convention in Memphis.
The line up features David Hyams with a range of different players - often depending on where we are touring! In the past the line up has featured Andy Copeman, Jennifer Tingley and Derry based fiddler JP Sweeney. For upcoming East Coast shows, we will have Melbourne based fiddler Jenny M Thomas and cellist Melanie Robinson. In WA we have shows lined up with flute player Stuart Paterson and cellist Anna Sarcich.
Website : www.milestogo.com.au
-----------------------------------------------------------Between The Wars
In 2009, two old friends got together in a room in a house. One played guitar and sang. The other played ukulele and sang. Taking influences from traditional Irish artists such as Christy Moore, the Wolfe Tones and the Dubliners, blending in the punk ethic and edge of Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys, and bringing in the folk storytelling of singer/songwriters such as Frank Turner, Billy Bragg and Shane MacGowan, the two old friends forged forward to create a celtic folk punk juggernaut, unlike anything they'd ever done before. They named it after one of their favourite Billy Bragg songs.
From the humble beginnings of these two friends in a room came the seven-piece onslaught of Between The Wars. In the same way that the Pogues and the Dropkick Murphys stayed true to their own genre while blending in a strong Irish influence, Between The Wars are setting Melbourne stages on fire with their clever and unique fusion of Irish folk music with punk rock. This makes it mainstream enough for everyone to find elements they can enjoy, without losing their edge and unique flavour.
Website :www.betweenthewars.net
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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
Website : www.bhantre.com
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Saoirse
Saoirse (freedom) are a vibrant vocal and dance group from Melbourne. Saoirse delight their audiences with their beautiful renditions of traditional Irish ballads and original works, they will join hands to offer some spirited jigs and reels to get your feet tapping. This enchanting group is comprised of Bernadette O’Neill (Belfast) on bodhran and vocals, Kerry McManus (Melbourne) on Accordian, whistle and vocals, Sile Coleman (Kildare) on guitar and vocals, and the wonderful Anthony O'Neill (Melbourne) on guitar. Saoirse are excited to be embarking on a musical 2010, performing at some great festivals, Port Fairy Folk Festival, and The National Folk Festival, and many other venues throughout Victoria. Saoirse currently have two released albums, "Singin' in the Scullery", 2007, and "Candlelight Sessions", 2009.
Website : www.myspace.com/saoirseoz
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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.
Website : www.sibin.com.au
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Aniar
ANIAR means "from the west" and is the name of this exciting band from the South West of Victoria, Australia. Aniar mix original songs and Celtic tunes with the sounds of the globe.
Featuring the beautiful and haunting vocals of Gemma Belfrage and Airlie Tait's flamboyant flute playing plus a driving rhythm section (Don Stewart - guitar and bouzouki, Andrew Hallett - acoustic bass, Gemma Belfrage - djembe), Aniar re-interpret the traditional and blend it with contemporary songs about Australian life to create music that is poignant, uplifting and great fun.
Website : www.aniar.com.au
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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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Colin MacLeod
Colin's musical journey started at the age of 7 when a music teacher asked a class of primary school pupils, 'Who would like to play the violin?' The first memory of playing a Scottish song by ear was one which had been learnt from a record. During the early years, Scottish music held pride of place beside its classical counterpart, both of which egged on the other to aspire to a higher standard of play. This was the case throughout high school. After high school, the love of Scottish music took over and the journey of expansion into bagpipe, ceilidh and Irish music began. Colin would be just at home playing in a concert hall, a pub session or at a ceilidh. Over the last nine years, the style has expanded to encompass South African rhythm aswell as Australian Bush.
Colin is currently based in Australia and audiences have enjoyed his musical moments in Europe, the US and South Africa.
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Eddie Lewis
Based currently in Melbourne, Eddie is formally of Braemar, this duo consisted of Eddie and Marc de Rijk, and were undoubtedly one of Australia’s best Celtic duos, delighting audiences around the country with an impressive performance resumé of classic Scottish and Irish songs.
Eddie continues this tradition and is renown for his passion for celtic music an and a passionate commitment to continuing the tradition of the Celtic entertainment.
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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 enditions 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!
Website : www.humbugsings.com
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Zeptepi
Full of energy and passion, Zeptepi are a refreshing blast of gloriously apocalyptic folk-rock music.
Influenced by the likes of The Waterboys, The Dubliners and New Model Army they released their third album 'Stormclouds' in 2010 - the first of the band's recordings to feature the inspired violin playing of Hayley Anderson and iconic banjo player CC Thornley.
Following no fashions with their own timeless sound and classic story-telling songs, in the last year or so Zeptepi have well and truly blown the roof off venues at festivals such as the Apollo Bay, the National Celtic, the Maldon Folk, the Westbury St Patricks & Port Fairy.
"The Pogues meet Weddings Parties Anything"
Website : www.zeptepi.info
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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!
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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, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Apollo Bay & St. Kilda Festival. Aside from extensive touring schedules, stages have been shared with The Living End, The White Stripes, The Bouncing Souls, Flogging Molly, Wolfmother & Weddings Parties Anything.
'Rising' The Go Set's 4th album in as many years, was recorded with US producer Jonathon Burnside (Melvins, NOFX, Sleepy Jackson) at Eastern Bloc studios in Melbourne. The band has labeled the new release as a move back to its punk rock origins, but with new forays into reggae and ska – styles not familiar for a folk/punk outfit.
Website : www.myspace.com/thegoset
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