Realta + Luke Daniels support

Described by Irish Music Magazine as “a full-bodied pipe and whistle extravaganza, Réalta carry on the Bothy Band tradition of taking tunes by the scruff of the neck and firing excitement through them like hot flames!”

Based in Belfast, this award-winning multi-instrumentalist group have travelled extensively bringing their unique take on Irish traditional music to international audiences with an enchanting programme of dance music interspersed with the occasional air and song.

While Conor Lamb and Loïc Bléjean pursue the melody on uilleann pipes and whistles, guitarist and vocalist Deirdre Galway explores the harmony and rhythms within the tunes.

All-Ireland champions Dermot Mulholland and Dermot Moynagh complete the line-up with dynamic accompaniments on double bass, bouzouki, banjo, bodhrán and voice, making this one of the most exciting acts on the Irish music scene today.

The release of their second album, Clear Skies, has brought Réalta widespread critical acclaim, with the Irish Times summing things up by writing “Réalta have grown bigger, bolder and braver and this is one of the best CDs to have come out of Ireland this year!”.

A performance by Réalta is joyous, energetic, foot-stomping and unforgettable.

Over twenty years Luke Daniels has recorded and produced 20 acclaimed records, had numerous live sessions and airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 3, and performed at many the UK’s top festivals.

The Guardian describes him as “a musical force to reckon with.” Originally from Oxfordshire, though now Glasgow-based, this folk singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist was featured in fRoots and hailed as “a genius” whilst his songs have been described as “future classics” by Songlines magazine.