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Live Bands
Celtic, Folk & Traditional Music
for Your Listening Pleasure
New Performer Showcase Section:
Saturday - Celtic Sands, Beltaines
Fire
Sunday - Chris Waltz, Pladdogh
Our Main Stage sound is done by Laurence Herman,
Electron Pro Audio, Davis, CA - Email | Web Site
Prepare yourself for a wild ride with Wicked Tinkers! Pioneers of the growing
Tribal Celtic movement, the Tinkers have been playing haunting, heart-pounding
bagpipes and irresistible, tribal drums as a professional touring band since
1995. With the addition, several years back, of the mesmerizing drone of
the Australian didgeridoo and Bronze Age Irish horn, the magic was complete.
Sit back and be transported to an earlier time in Scotland and Ireland, when
battle cries filled the air and strange, unheard-of creatures roamed the
night. Or better yet, get on your feet and let your body move to ancient
rhythms and forgotten sounds.
Born of the timeless tradition of the all-night music session, Molly’s Revenge
is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band known for its unique and infectious on-stage
enthusiasm. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song
— set against a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, and mandola accompaniment —
guarantee an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music.
Molly’s Revenge has performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing
arts events in the USA, and prestigious events in Australia and China. Their
arrangements of traditional jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to
date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting
for more.
Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 18 years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area-based act release twelve critically acclaimed CDs and play more than 2,000 gigs. It's also enjoyed an evolving line-up that's enabled its musicianship and creativity to rise with each new member-something highlighted by the group's current roster.
Peter Daldry is from Clydebank Scotland, near Glasgow. He came to the states 15 years ago where he worked and taught music at a summer camp for kids in Santa Cruz, California. He enjoyed it so much he came back every year. Peter decided to move to Santa Cruz in 1994 and now resides in Santa Clara, California. Peter is also a member of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco.
Peter is a singer, songwriter and plays Guitar, Mandolin and Bouzouki. He performs Traditional Scottish and Irish music for all occasions.
Neil O’Neill was born in the Clyde valley town of Johnstone, Scotland. He began singing at 6 years of age finally taking up the guitar around age 16. Early musical influences included his parents Scotch/Irish repertoire sung around the house, as well as his grandfather’s great tenor singing at family gatherings: Scottish folk standards, WW I & II songs and John McCormack, this together with Liturgical church music.
His performing arts career subsequently developed in two directions: into rock bands (playing Cream, Beatles, pop standards, and blues), then into the acoustic music of the singer-songwriter era: Bob Dylan, Donovan, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Simon&Garfunkel, Jim Croce et al. Always a strong ongoing influence, Celtic folk and the ethnic musical forms of the world later gained prominence. Today, Neil O’Neill performs solo Celtic/Popular music, and with his band the Celtic Tyger.
The Browne Sisters and George Cavanaugh are one of the most popular music groups to perform in the Western United States. Their silvery harmonies, beautiful arrangements and entertaining personalities have created a permanently loyal and enthusiastic following, from their fellow Americans to homegrown Scots and Irish.
Diane, Pamela and Laura's lead vocals are enriched by cousin George's rich, unaffected voice and original guitar style. The addition of Scotland's own John Allan on electric and acoustic guitar has also allowed the group to move more in the direction of their own still-easy-on-the-ears version of Celtic Rock. This combined with their perennially popular arrangements of traditional and modern Gaelic songs, Scottish and Irish selections as well as original material, gives them a range of appeal and artistic expression unique in the world of Celtic entertainment."
With a newly-released album, Celtic Sands has been exciting audiences throughout
California with their edgy improvisation and masterful interpretation of traditional
Celtic music. Featuring Ben Roberts on fiddle & mandolin, Lara Garner on
harp, whistle, keyboard & bodhran and Greg Jones on guitar,these versatile
musicians play a wide array of instruments, and their energy and love of the
music keeps listeners of all ages interested.
Sometimes elegant and ethereal, sometimes verging on rock, Celtic Sands
bridges traditional Celtic with contemporary musical styles, including their
own original songs. Recent performances have had them playing at festivals,
TV and radio, and esteemed venues throughout the region. Some of those venues
include the SF Celtic Festival, with the SF Sunset Youth
Symphony and at ATT Park.
Beltaine’s Fire is a five-piece Celtic Hip Hop Fusion project based in the
San Francisco Bay area. Their music blends melodies inspired by the music of
the Irish and Scottish Diasporas with funk, rock, and hip hop elements to create
a sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and history and completely
original.
Since forming in 2005, the group has been actively performing in the Bay
Area, playing everything from bars and clubs to festivals and rallies. They
released their first album last December and are currently in the process of
recording their second. Their current lineup is Drums, Bass, Banjo, Cello/Mandolin
and Vocals. here is a space where the protest ballads of the Irish and Scottish
Rebel Bards and the directness and passion of conscious hip-hop music intersect.
Beltaine’s Fire occupies that space.
Inspired by the rich heritage of Celtic music, Pladdohg infuses a variety
of rhythms and riffs that transform traditional Irish, Scottish and English
tunes into 21st -century “California Celtic”. By layering shanties, jigs and
reels with funky beats and high-energy vocals, this band breathes new life
into old favorites.
With the release of their debut CD, “More Songs About Drinking and Fighting,”
Pladdohg is enjoying increasing popularity as a Northern California festival
and pub band. Featuring the classic sounds of vocals, flute, mandolin
and bodhran over a contemporary guitar, bass and rhythm section, Pladdohg has
created a style of music that is entirely their own. Their infectious
rhythms and unique blend of instruments and vocals give rise to music with
the kick of a fine Scotch whiskey and the smooth flavor of a California Cabernet. A
perfect blend to serve at any party, park or pub gathering!
Composer, Vocalist, and Songwriter Chris Waltz performs an eclectic blend
of Celtic, Spanish-Sephardic, Gypsy Flamenco, and contemporary folk music featuring
original and traditional songs sung in Irish/Gaelic, Spanish, & English.
Waltz has been hailed as the Josh Groban of Celtic Music showing off the more
sensual romantic side of Celtic Music while still remaining true to the traditional
style. Chris is one of the few male Gaelic Singer's around.
Chris has performed at churches, concert and folk venues all over the country
including the Grass Valley Celtic Festival enabling him to share his strong,
yet elegant stage presence with many people. Chris was accepted by Riverdance
as a future lead singer, but since then the company reverted the show to it's
original production eliminating his role. Waltz was a chorus singer with the
Sacramento Opera during the 2007 season. Waltz has opened for Celtic Supergroup's
like Dervish. Ellie Blair, Celtic & Beyond, KTAO Radio: “Chris Waltz’s
enigmatic, sensuous voice will transport you to ancient lands. He’s a vocal
viruoso, a musical mystic, & brilliant songwriter, with a natural sense
of Celtic world music.”