Hailing from the Isle of Skye, the Peatbog Faeries are one of the leading bands in the new interpretation of traditional Scottish music.
Crossing so many genres that they become extremely hard to define. A good effort (one of their own I think), is psychedelic bagpipe funk.
Not to be confused with 'tartan techno'!
From Applecross in the West Highlands of Scotland, Derek produces a blend of Funk, Blues and Afrobeat with a twist of Celtic flavour including occasional Gaelic content. Loaded with driving fretless bass rhythms and lots of guitar. Listen to '10 Out Of Illusion' for a view from the croft as told in the dawn of the 21st century.
Bob Delyn a'r Ebillion are a Welsh folk-rock band fronted by poet, bard, singer and harpist Twm Morys. Their songs are sung in Welsh, with several in Breton (singer Nolwenn Korbell also features on two of their albums), strongly influenced by traditional songs and legends, but with an original, fresh take. This is also evident in the music, a unique mix of contemporary rhythms and instruments, with strong presence of Celtic harp and haunting sax.
They have released four albums, Sgwarnogod Bach Bob (Bob's Little Hares), Gwbade Bach Cochlyd (Little Red Faces), Gedon and Dore.
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Shooglenifty is a six-piece band that combines traditional Scottish instrumental folk with a wide assortment of modern styles, including blues, rock, ambient, trance, electronica, and others. They take a leading role in the recent Celtic Fusion movement, along with similar artists such as Peatbog Faeries and Croft No. Five.
Since reforming in Spring '09 UK band Elephant Talk have been stunning audiences with their unique 'Urban Folk' sound.
Sarah Joy (vocals)
Matt Tarling (fiddle, effects, programming)
Jon Maybey (guitar, mandolin, loops, programming)
They skilfully combine authentically played traditional acoustic music with a wide range of electronica including: dub, dubstep, drum and bass, trance, nujazz and techno. This is proving to be popular with a wide audience in music venues, festivals and events throughout the UK and Europe.
Saltfishforty are Douglas Montgomery (fiddle/viola) and Brian Cromarty (guitar/mandola/vocals). Combining the traditional music of Orkney, Scotland, with original compositions, they released their debut album, Goose Music, to critical acclaim in May 2003. In 2004 the duo were nominated in the 'up and coming artist of the year' category at the BBC Scottish Traditional Music Awards. Their second album, Orkney Twister, was released in December 2005.
Belfast-born uilleann piper John McSherry and Detroit natives Tyler Duncan and Michael Shimmin have been dreaming of .the olllam. for the last decade. With a name inspired by the king’s own ollam bards of Irish lore, the trio wanted an ensemble that naturally represented their combined experience in a multiplicity of styles. McSherry, one of the best uilleann pipers in the world and a founding member of legendary Irish group Lúnasa...
Michael McGoldrick (b. 1971, Manchester, England) is a flute and tin whistle player of great renown. He also plays the Uilleann pipes. He has been a member of several influential bands. In 1994 he was awarded the BBC Young Tradition Award, and, in 2001, he was given the Instrumentalist of the Year award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. McGoldrick was a founder-member of Celtic rock band, Toss the Feathers while still at school. He also competed in the Fleadhanna with Dezi Donnelly (fiddle) and John-Jo Kelly (bodhrán) whom he had met at local Comhaltas meetings.
Planxty was an Irish folk music band consisting of soon-to-be-legendary musicians Christy Moore (vocals, acoustic guitar, bodhrán), Dónal Lunny (bouzouki, guitars), Andy Irvine (mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, hurdy-gurdy, harmonica), and Liam O'Flynn (uilleann pipes, tin whistle). The band was formed in 1972, and quickly revolutionized and popularized Irish folk music, touring and recording to great acclaim. The band broke up twice; first in 1975 and again in 1983. The band re-united again in 2004. Their final performance (to date) was in 2005.