Festival Sounds!
Music is a huge part of Celtic culture, and there’s lots of it to be had this weekend at the New Brunswick Highland Games in Fredericton. Here are just a few of the names that will be sharing the stage over the next 48 hours.
Rubicon
Rubicon is a trad rock band from West Cork, Ireland. Clonakilty, Ballydehob and Glengariff are our hometowns of the four members. They play the good old Irish songs and tunes in a very rocky arrangement. Well known classics like “The Rocky Road to Dublin” and “Spancil Hill”, accelerating fiddle and whistle tunes, guitar riffs ala Guns ‘n’ Roses, all mixed together creating their music with a drive that gets the audience dancing. On Stage, Rubicon delivers a very lively performance. Francine on lead vocal and whistle and Dolcie on Fiddle and vocal, are the two front ladies, top musicians, very Irish, very lively (and good looking too!!), everybody loves them. Eamonn on E-guitar and vocals, Hänsel on midi Accordion/Synthesiser deliver the rocky side of the music. One moment they accompany a slow song with sweet guitar chords and synth washes, the next moment they change to a good rock/dance groove, pushing the jigs and reels played by the ladies to a climax. A band well experienced playing festivals, pubs and functions, delivering good music and a great show.
Performing:
Friday in the Open Air Concert 7pm
Saturday in the Ceilidh Tent 7pm-9pm
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One Acre Lot
One Acre Lot consists of four enthusiastic and energetic musicians who love to play Celtic and folk music from their home province of New Brunswick, Canada. From roots-traditional, to country, to novelty and original compositions, “One Acre Lot” is about fiddle, folk and fun! “One Acre Lot” is from Sunbury County, NB and plays 20 – 30 events per year including local festivals, shows, community events, fundraisers, and private parties and functions. In 2011 they released their first CD of primarily fiddle tunes and an original song. In 2012, they were part of the Music New Brunswick member’s stage at the East Coast Music Week in Moncton and they are looking forward to additional performance opportunities.
Performing:
Friday night in the open air concert 7pm
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Katherine Moller
ECMA and MusicNB Awards nominee Katherine Moller is one of New Brunswick’s most versatile musicians. Whether she is playing classic fiddle tunes in a crowded pub or the music of Bach on a concert stage, her love and respect for the instrument and its wide-spread appeal have brought her considerable acclaim as one of the province’s true fiddle ambassadors. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Katherine studied music theory and classical music before receiving a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to study fiddle in Ireland in pursuit of a greater understanding of Celtic fiddle styles.
With three recordings of her own, Take The Happy Road (2007) and By Request (2010), and Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Haired (2011), Katherine is without a doubt one of New Brunswick’s most highly regarded representatives of the fiddle and its extensive versatility. Katherine currently resides in Harvey, New Brunswick, near the birthplace of Canadian fiddle legend Don Messer.
Performing:
Friday night at DJ Purdy’s in the Delta 8-10pm
Saturday in the Ceilidh Tent 2-2:50pm
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Ten Strings and a Goat Skin
Ten Strings And A Goat Skin are rooted in traditional music and celebrate the music of the Acadian, Francophone & Irish cultures. By integrating modern rhythms and interpretations to their music, this group creates an infectious energy and sound that speaks to all age groups. In 2011, they released their first bilingual album entitled Tri. This album has earned them the Roots Traditional Recording of the Year Award at the 2012 Music PEI Awards. This album was also nominated for the Roots Traditional Group Recording of the Year Award at the 2012 East Coast Music Awards (ECMA). This group hosts ceilidhs on a regular basis at the PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow, PEI. Furthermore, they perform at many local festivals and benefits as well as corporate and private functions. This group brings new life to well-known and much-loved melodies, in the same way that a new pair of laces brings new life to an old pair of boots. These three musicians and best friends are all high school students at l’École François-Buote in Charlottetown. Jesse Périard, Rowen Gallant and Caleb Gallant are Ten Strings And A Goat Skin.
Performing:
Saturday in the Ceilidh Tent 1-1:50pm
Saturday in the Ceilidh Ten 3-3:50pm
twww.tenstringsandagoatskin.com
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HATBand
A great Maritime sound rising from the roots and strengths of its members, HATband plays a bouncy mix of traditional Celtic and Maritime tunes, original songs and ballads and even a little rock and roll. They have been together for ten years but, individually, they have been entertaining and honing their skills for decades. They’ve recorded a CD and played all over New Brunswick at festivals, pubs and events. HATband stands for the Hayes, Andrews, Toner band.
Performing:
Saturday in the Ceilidh Tent 4-4:50pm
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Before the Mast
The name ‘Before the Mast’ refers to ordinary sailors (often referred to as foremast jacks) on board sailing ships that were berthed in the forecastle (fo’c’sle or fo’c’s’le) which was forward of the foremast or before the mast. Before the Mast was formed in 2007 and since then has performed extensively throughout New Brunswick in venues ranging from church halls and historic inns to community stages and lively bistros. The group was especially pleased to be asked to sing twice at the Miramichi Folksong Festival. In addition, we have sung on board HMS Bounty when she visited St. Andrews, as well as a number of times for the Carleton Martello Tower Music Series. Before the Mast was also invited to sing at a Canada Day concert in the outdoor amphitheatre at Fundy National Park. Last fall the group traveled to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for a joint concert with the Yarmouth Shantymen and this spring Before the Mast had two successful concerts with Riversong, an a cappella women’s group from the Moncton area.
Performing:
Sunday in the Ceilidh Tent 1-2:15pm
www.beforethemastseashanties.com
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Different Folk
Different Folk is formed of Kim Moller (vocals and bodhran), Will Toner (vocals and guitar) and Katherine Moller (fiddle). An upbeat group, they perform a mix of maritime and folk-rock with a blend of beautiful vocal harmonies and lively fiddling.
Combining a melodious mix of Maritime music with contemporary arrangements of Celtic favourites, and then adding a generous helping of foot stomping fiddling; Different Folk is just what you need to get that kitchen party started! Tight vocal harmonies with a knack for having fun and a guarantee to liven any event, big or small. So come, join in and sing along. You too might find yourself to be one of the Different Folk!
Performing:
Sunday in the Ceilidh Tent 2:30-3:45pm
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