The Best Celtic Folk Music Bands
Contents
The Celtic music scene is full of talented bands playing traditional and contemporary folk music. Here are ten of the best Celtic folk music bands currently making music.
Celtic Folk Music
Celtic folk music has its origins in the music of the Celtic people, who are thought to have migrated from mainland Europe to the British Isles, and Ireland, in around the 5th century AD. The music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, and its focus on melody and harmony. Celtic folk music has become popular in recent years, and there are now many Celtic folk music bands that are performing across the world.
What is Celtic Folk Music?
Celtic folk music is a genre that is heavily influenced by the traditional music of the Celtic cultures. While there are many different styles within this genre, all of them share a commonality in their use of traditional Celtic instruments and melodies.
Some of the most popular Celtic folk bands come from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. These groups often fuse traditional Celtic music with other genres like rock or pop, resulting in a unique and memorable sound.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, check out some of the best Celtic folk bands below. You’re sure to find something you love!
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band that was founded in 1962. Since then, they have released over 30 albums and become one of the most well-known Celtic folk bands in the world. Their music is heavily influenced by traditional Irish music, as well as other genres like jazz and blues.
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are another Irish folk band that has been around for over 50 years. They are known for their innovative fusion of traditional Irish music with other genres like rock, pop, and classical. They have won six Grammy Awards and been nominated for numerous others.
Capercaillie
Capercaillie is a Scottish folk band that was formed in the early 1980s. They have released over 20 albums and are widely considered to be one of the leading forces in contemporary Scottish music. Their sound blends traditional Scottish instrumentation with elements of rock, jazz, and world music.
The History of Celtic Folk Music
Celtic folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland and Scotland. It is characterized by its use of traditional Celtic instruments and themes. Celtic folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with many modern bands incorporating traditional Celtic elements into their music.
The history of Celtic folk music can be traced back to the 18th century, when the first Irish and Scottish immigrants arrived in North America. These immigrants brought with them their own unique brand of folk music, which was quickly assimilated into the existing musical traditions of the region. Celtic folk music has also been influenced by other genres of music, including rock and roll, jazz, and blues.
In the 20th century, Celtic folk music became increasingly popular, with bands such as The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers achieving international success. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Celtic folk music, with many modern bands incorporating traditional Celtic elements into their music.
The Different Types of Celtic Folk Music
Celtic folk music is a type of folk music that originated in Ireland and Scotland. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the Irish flute, fiddle, and accordion, as well as its traditional song forms, such as jigs, reels, and ballads. Celtic folk music has been influential on the development of other genres of music, such as country music and bluegrass.
The Best Celtic Folk Music Bands
Celtic music has a rich history dating back centuries. The genre has evolved over time, and there are now many different subgenres of Celtic music. Celtic music is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, bagpipes, and flute. Celtic music is also known for its complex harmonies and rhythmic patterns. If you’re a fan of Celtic music, check out some of these bands.
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical ensemble founded in Dublin in 1963, by Paddy Moloney, Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, with Moloney remaining as the only constant member. They are known for performing traditional Celtic music, though they have also incorporated elements of modern popular music into their repertoire.
The Chieftains have released over 40 albums and have won six Grammy Awards. They were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2008. They have also been nominated for three Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. In 2012, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
The current members of The Chieftains are: Paddy Moloney (uilleann pipes, tin whistle), Matt Molloy (flute), Kevin Conneff (bodhran), Sean Keane (fiddle), Derek Bell (harp), Michael Duggan (bouzouki), and Triona Marshall (keyboards).
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are one of the most popular and well-known Celtic folk music bands. They were founded in 1962 and have been touring and recording ever since. They have released over 30 albums and their music is known for its energy and lively pace. The Dubliners are also known for their traditional Irish songs and ballads, many of which have been adapted from old Gaelic folk songs. Some of their most well-known songs include “The Wild Rover”, “The Galway Piper”, and “Danny Boy”.
The Pogues
The Pogues were a highly influential Celtic folk band formed in London in 1982 by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer. The band’s musical style combined traditional Irish folk with punk rock, and their lyrics were often politicized and Rastafarian-inspired. The Pogues are credited with helping to popularize Celtic folk music in the UK and Ireland, and their 1986 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God is considered one of the greatest folk-punk albums of all time.
Flook
Flook is a Irish/Scottish Celtic Folk music band that was founded in 2004. The band is composed of Alanna McArdle on fiddle, Sarah Smout on flute, and Brian Finnegan on tin whistle. The band has released four albums, the most recent being “Gravity” in 2016.
The Bothy Band
The Bothy Band was a traditional Irish music band formed in 1976. The original band members were Paddy Glackin (fiddle), Donal Lunny (bouzouki), Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (keyboards), Andy Irvine (mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, harmonica), Dónal Lunny (bodhrán), and Paddy Reilly (guitar). The band’s sound was a distinctive blend of traditional Irish music with a rock and roll sensibility. They were one of the most influential bands in the history of Irish music, and their music has been hugely influential on subsequent generations of Irish musicians.
