March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 49 F

Who’s Playing The Annapolis Irish Festival This Year?

If you were at the Annapolis Irish Festival last year, you know what a good time was had by the nearly 25,000 festival goers. This year looks to be even bigger and better with the a Friday night special concert preview and salute to our troops sponsored by the Maryland Renaissance Fair. Busch Gardens returnsas the sponsor for the Little Leprechaun Land!  But what about the music?

Well, here is a little taste of what’s to come.

And if you are looking for some free tickets, make sure you follow us on our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and our newsletter. We always have surprises and you never know when a freebie might pop up.  But just what is Irish music of today?  For those who don’t know, sit back, relax, tap your toes and  take a look and listen to some of the acts who will entertain you on July 12th and 13th!

Gaelic Storm steps back into the ring with the dazzling #1 Billboard World Album Chicken Boxer, a heavyweight record that comes out swinging with a mix of empowering anthems and traditional ballads. With sales of more than 1 million, the group has now had three albums debut at number one on the Billboard World Albums Chart. In recent years, they have performed on the same bill with acts ranging from the Zack Brown Band and the Goo Goo Dolls to Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett, at events as varied as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to Milwaukee Summerfest. With their signature acoustic production, Gaelic Storm blends indy – folk world grooves with Celtic tradition to serve up a ringside seat for a pugilistic poultry pounding sound.

Rousing and raucous, Scythian (sith-ee-yin) plays kicked-up Celtic and world music with hints of Gypsy and Klezmer, all infused with a touch of punk-rock sensibility. Take a pair of classically trained dueling fiddlers, toss in a rhythm guitar and the occasional funky accordion, then power it with the driving rhythm of a jazz percussionist, and you’ve got the ingredients for a show you won’t soon forget. Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music has one goal in mind: to get people on their feet and dancing. Their repertoire ranges from traditional and contemporary Celtic and folk music to the alluring and dramatic strains of Gypsy and Eastern European tunes, and then crosses back over the border to pick up some good old-fashioned bluegrass licks.

The Screaming Orphans are the four high-spirited sisters from Bundoran, County Donegal, Ireland. They have carved a great reputation of being a captivating and entertaining live band in America and abroad.

From an early age, the sisters sang and played traditional Irish music as their mother’s back-up band in Ireland and across Europe. When they hit their teenage years, they formed their own rock band — the Screaming Orphans.

They have always admired the diversity of the American music scene and that was instrumental in their decision to relocate to America. Living in New York City has inspired them to explore new and exciting song writing and performance concepts that reflect their Celtic roots but crosses many cultural boundaries.

If you’re wondering about the band’s name…when the sisters decided to start their own band, and their mother no longer was the lead singer and their father the manager, they became “orphans.” They “scream” for attention in the music industry to be heard by each other.

Albannach is Scots-Gaelic for “Scottish” or “Scotsman”.  That‘s exactly what we are. Albannach are all born and bred in Scotland and our purpose in life is to share our intriguing culture, history and heritage by means of our music.

Albannach are not just another Scottish ‘Pipes & Drums’ band…we bring a new and exciting form of music to you. A championship winning piper, an extremely talented main drummer, bass drummers and bodhran musician bring you a brand new approach to percussion and Celtic music. Our style of music is exciting, energetic and enchanting and we promise to leave you begging for more.

Formed in 2006, Dublin 5 (formerly The Rovers) have taken the Celtic music scene by storm thanks to an eclectic mix of traditional roots and blazing instrumentals with an amped up rock twist. Their musicianship and show is nothing short of high octane. Their fan base is continually expanding and covers people of all ages from all walks of life.

Fronted by Ray Murphy (lead guitar) from Dublin, Ireland and backed by Jenn Garmen (fiddle), Eddie McGowan (bass and bagpipes), Jim Martin, (percussion), and drummer Kevin Shook, they are sure to keep you on edge until the final track has been played.

The ROGUES have performed for over 1 million people. In 2010 they won Album and Group of the Year and headlined in Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo. The ROGUES have released 9 albums, boast 7 combined World Pipe Band Championships, and have appeared with the US Air Force Symphony Orchestra. For nearly two decades the performances of this CeltRock Folk Classical group have electrified audiences on two continents. Their hard-won road successes have established them as artists with bona fide international acclaim. Renowned for their musical skill, quick wit, and engaging stage show the ROGUES have mastered the art of creating an immediate connection with their audiences. The ROGUES are fast becoming a household name with music lovers around the world, loved by young and old of all backgrounds.

Kilmaine Saints, a Harrisburg Pipe & Drum band became friends in 2009 after learning that they each shared a love for music and a background in Punk Rock 101. They conspired to create a Celtic rock band that would “play for beer” the following St Patrick’s Day. The Saints have continued to pound through blistering, high-energy live sets that keep people wanting more. In short, Kilmaine Saints are equal parts Irish swagger, Scottish pride, and whiskey. This explosive, high-energy Celtic rock band will lift your hearts, your spirits, and your pint when you’re not looking!

Take a solid foundation in traditional Irish, rock it up with a pinch of country/bluegrass fusion, and you’d just be starting to describe the sound of Crossing Celtic. Call it Irish…with a twist.

The members of Crossing Celtic are no strangers to the Irish-American music scene. Audiences will find themselves on their feet, singing and clapping as Crossing Celtic brings their style of high energy “feel good” fun to every performance.

Seamus Kennedy is an Irish singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, all-around entertainer, and author. He’s incredibly talented and fun!

He has a huge repertoire that includes traditional Irish music, classic Country & Western, American standards, Scottish ballads, and kids’ shows: entertainment for “the wee ones.” Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, he has been entertaining audiences all over the United States for almost four decades. An accomplished guitarist with a ready wit and a vast store of songs, he travels the country performing for thousands of people each year.

Kennedy’s ability to combine a total command of the music with humor makes him unique in the industry. His strong interactive entertainment skills and his participation with his audiences have helped him create an exceptionally loyal fan base everywhere he goes.

 

To get your tickets ($20 in advance) please click here!

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