Celtic music is an umbrella term capturing a wide array of musical styles and moods; think the driven anthems of Flogging Molly, the ethereal ballads of Enya, or the spirited pub anthems of The Dubliners.
While popularly associated with music from Ireland and Scotland, it also includes the “music of Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Brittany, Northumbria and Galicia,” and their respective diasporas according to Celtic Life Magazine.
Whether it’s up-and-coming artists who are recreating time-honored traditions with their own spin, or well-established, international touring artists who have ensured the creative health of Celtic music, this winter and spring Swallow Hill Music is proud to present a collection of artists that reflects the breadth of Celtic musical communities throughout the world.
It all begins on Sunday, January 19th with Kalos. This multi-generational acoustic trio’s music is inspired by the maritime traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia, and North America. With each of the band’s members coming from Scottish immigrant families, they create music that, in the words of accordion player Jeremiah McLane, “feels like meditation compared to the clatter of social media.”
The Bow Tides may be making their Swallow Hill debut on February 7, but their players are decidedly well-known to its audiences. This powerful Celtic band features a trio of Irish fiddlers – Ellery Klein, Jessie Burns and champion Irish dancer Katie Grennan – who are all known for their time with the celebrated Irish-American supergroup Gaelic Storm. In praising the band, American fiddler and National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient Liz Carroll says “their music is rousing, then poignant, and at all times heartfelt.”
Though rooted in Scottish musical traditions, John Langan of The Langan Band told Bluegrass Today their influences “are too many to list” before quickly adding, “I’d say all sorts from classical, jazz, metal, electronic dance music to folk and roots from all over the world.” The Langan Band released their latest album, Plight O’Sheep, in 2023 to much acclaim, and they perform at Swallow Hill on February 28.
With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, The Young Dubliners take the stage on March 8. Founded in 1988, The Young Dubs’ raucous live shows earned them comparisons to The Pogues and The Levellers early on in their career, a reputation they’ve only cemented in the ensuing decades.
And speaking of St. Patrick’s celebrations, on March 15, Denver’s own Gobs O’Phun return to Swallow Hill for their 31st Annual St. Pat’s Concert. Brothers-in-law Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth make up this band that performs traditional Irish and Scottish diddies that tell stories framed with historical notes and spontaneous, humorous banter.
Capping it off are Swallow Hill favorites Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, who return on March 16. Billed as “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,” Fraser is equaled by Haas on the cello to span the full spectrum between intimate chamber music and ecstatic dance energy. With quick wit and disarming humor, Alasdair and Natalie will introduce a tune’s deep history only to have audiences out of their seats and dancing by the time it ends. This inspired duo is not to be missed!
Tickets for these concerts are on sale now. Thank you for supporting live Celtic music in Denver with Swallow Hill!
Celtic and Irish music concerts at Swallow Hill Music
Kalos on Sunday, January 19 at 7 pm
Innovative interpreters and composers of Celtic roots music who explore the dark corners floating on its edges, delivering an alluring musical complexity full of spontaneity and joy.
If you like: Martin Hayes, Gnoss, Väsen
The Bow Tides on Friday, February 7 at 8 pm
A powerhouse Celtic ensemble led by three Irish fiddlers: Ellery Klein, Jessie Burns and champion Irish dancer Katie Grennan, who are all veterans of the Irish-American supergroup Gaelic Storm.
IYL: Gaelic Storm. Reverie Road, Altan, Lunasa
The Langan Band on Friday, February 28 at 8 pm
This dynamic trio creates an un-pigeon-holeable mix of traditional Scots music, Eastern European Gypsy, Progressive Jazz, and American Old-Time.
IYL: Lau, Mama’s Broke, John Francis Flynn
The Young Dubliners on Thursday, March 8 at 8 pm
“The Young Dubliners can be seen as Ireland’s answer to Los Lobos, with a similar combination of traditional folk music, raucous electric rock, and forward-thinking experimentation.” – AllMusic
IYL: Flogging Molly, Gaelic Storm, The High Kings
Gobs O’Phun on Saturday, March 15 at 8 pm
Annual St. Patrick’s Concert! The feel of a family living room experience with songs that tell stories that resonate with any cultural background.
IYL: The Dubliners, The Irish Rovers, The Clancy Brothers
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas on Sunday, March 16 at 7 pm
Musical partners Alasdair Fraser, “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,” and brilliant Californian cellist, Natalie Haas, blend a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition with cutting-edge string explorations.
IYL: Talisk, Tommy Peoples, Martin Hayes