LIVE @ SCOTFEST 2023
WHO’S BACK, AND WHO’S NEW!
CHECK OUT OUR AWESOME LINEUP!
SCOTROCK STAGE
Presented by Anheuser-Busch
A very warm welcome to energy and excitement of ENTER THE HAGGIS!
“If other bands are putting out the equivalent of late-night cable-tv shows, Enter The Haggis is making IMAX films.” – Asheville Mountain Xpress
For the better part of two decades, Toronto’s Enter The Haggis has combined bagpipes and fiddles with a rock rhythm section to create a distinctively eclectic sound, praised by The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and Canada’s Globe and Mail. Their songs offer singalong melodies and deep, meaningful lyrics which tell the stories of everyday hard working people, often faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Signature songs like “One Last Drink”, “Gasoline”, “Down With The Ship” and “Lancaster Gate” have had millions of plays on social media and streaming sites, have appeared in Hollywood movies, and have been performed and recorded by artists around the world.
Enter The Haggis is clearly comfortable on the stage and develops an easy rapport with audiences, sharing the stories behind their songs and laughing through tour anecdotes. The show is exciting and dynamic, featuring unpredictable and spontaneous moments.
“Enter the Haggis has become one of the great solid Celtic Rock bands in the U.S. They continue to grow their audience and are really some of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet. Their original music is unique from hard driving tunes to great sing-a-long rock ballads like “One Last Drink”. Plus some great audience banter and interaction make ETH a must see show.”
— Barry Stapleton, Milwaukee Irish Fest
“Energy and excitement! This group engaged the audience from the first beat and after doing an acoustic tune in the audience at the end of the show, became an instant crowd favorite.”
— Brett Elliott, Katherine Hepburn Performing Arts Center
“Enter The Haggis specializes in the high-energy rhythms of Celtic-influenced stomp, but constantly surprises with new instrumentation, clever lyrics, catchy melodies and a thought-provoking ballad or two thrown in for good measure. We’re all Haggis Heads here which is why we keep inviting them back year after year. Always fun!”
— David Lavalley, The Center for Arts in Natick
Welcoming back the fantastic CELTICA!
The majestic sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe soars above a powerful rock band. The masterly played violin expands the unique style with symphonic-epic melodies.
Influences of Irish Folk, Symphonic Metal and Scottish tradition merge with
the energetic Celtic rock music. This sound, as international as the musicians – hailing from Scotland, USA, Bulgaria and Austria. Fiery torches on the bagpipes and burning drumsticks, thundering against huge drums, create a captivating atmosphere. Flames shooting out of the instruments, entertain audiences worldwide.
Celtica conquered their fans by storm at more than 450 performances in Europe. From the legendary Wacken-Festival in northern Germany to southern Spain, and at numerous US and Canada tours. From New York to San Francisco, from Florida up New England, from Alaska to Hawaii. Their music videos inspire 6 million viewers on Youtube, and still counting.
“If you’re looking for something different, light and fresh, and full of musical thrills, meet the Screaming Orphans. ”
Philadelphia RH Magazine
“The sisters revisit their roots with stunning results.”
Americana UK
“Delightful, captivating and formidable…”
THAT MAG
We’re excited to welcome back THE YOUNG DUBLINERS!
After thirty years as one of the world’s leading Celtic Rock bands, the Young Dubliners have begun work on their tenth studio album while still maintaining their busy tour schedule.
Having survived the crushing impact of the lockdown on their industry they have returned stronger than ever and determined to bring their fusion of Celtic and rock music to as many people as they can.
Although the Young Dubliners sound is most commonly called ‘Celtic Rock’, that label can often be misleading. The Irish influence is certainly there, but it’s not the only influence that bursts through on their albums or live shows. After all, several of the band members have no Irish roots of any kind. “That was always the idea”, explains Roberts “The sound was intended to be a hybrid because we all come from different backgrounds. Even though I am from Ireland, a lot of the music I listened to growing up wasn’t Irish at all, but when I got here, I got homesick and developed a new appreciation for Irish Music. In truth the Celtic riffs can just as easily come from the American band members. Everyone writes now so you never know what you’ll end up with”
“Their sound defies categorization. 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.com
“(the songs) range from stadium-friendly extravaganzas to more intimate but equally outspoken pub-sized opuses…
…Lead singer Keith Roberts’ powerhouse vocals front a maelstrom of fiddle vamps, howling guitars and frenzied drums. But even so, the hint of rueful melancholy that lies at the heart of traditional Celtic music survives, transformed yet triumphant!”
–Christina Roden, Amazon Music
Welcoming back fan favorites FLATFOOT 56!
Playing a positive-natured brand of hardcore-tinged Celtic punk, Flatfoot 56 has been unleashing itself upon America and the rest of the world for over 20 years now.
Forming in 2000, the Chicago natives achieved nationwide attention with their first two label-backed records, 2006’s Knuckles Up and 2007’s Jungle of the Midwest Sea. These releases built on a heavy dose of previously established regional notoriety, helping the band gain steam early on.
While each record received its fair share of acclaim, the quintet exploded onto a new level with 2010’s Black Thorn. Landing the band on a total of 9 Billboard Charts, Flatfoot 56 proved it could consistently reach an expanding audience while treading in a genre not often associated with widespread success. This success was advanced even further with song placements in the hit TV series “Sons of Anarchy” and the video game “Watchdogs”.
Introducing all the way from bonnie Scotland, for their USA debut, please show up in force and give an awesome Oklahoma welcome to THE PICTS!
The Picts have played extensively throughout the UK and Europe headlining Scotland’s hogmanay celebrations in both Glasgow and Stirling.
They have played at festivals such as the World Pipeband Championships, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and T in the Park; Scotland’s biggest music festival at the time. Likewise in Europe The Picts have played at events such as the Interceltique Festival of Lorient, France (The world’s biggest Celtic festival)
CEILIDH PUB STAGE
Presented by Tennent’s Lager
A warm welcome back to 6′ 10″!
The Humble Beginnings of a Roving Soul
6’10 is the folk/Americana incarnation of Tobin Bawinkel, frontman for Celtic punk stalwarts Flatfoot 56.
In comparison to the hectic sounds of his other outfit, this is a more subtle approach through heartfelt and emotional journeys against the backdrop acoustic instrumentation. Bawinkel is joined by bandmates Josh Robieson(Mandolin, Ukulele/vox) Mike Pettus (Ukulele Bass/vox), Keith Perez (Cajon/vox) and Vanessa Bawinkel (accordion/vox).
6’10 have already shared the stage with established acts such as Sundowner, Deals Gone Bad, Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), Mike Farris, Flatfoot 56, Vic Ruggiero (Slackers), Michael Graves, The Bones, The Last Resort, and the Mahones.
We’re look forward to seeing PLUNK MURRAY!
We’re a drinking club with an Irish music problem…
What we’re about? Five friends that love music and are bound together by it, friendship, and doing something fun. Celtic music is not limited to Ireland or Boston, but it’s in the hearts of those who love it. Some of us have been in bands together, some of us have served together, and worked together, but when we get together in music, this… THIS is where we shine!
“Plunk Murray is a fantastic, diverse and slightly rowdy band that keeps all ages entertained with an eclectic mix of traditional, modern, and trans-genre hard folk music…”
Michael Logan- musical director for Sherman Celtic Festival
Also back for a 3rd year WAXIE DARGLES!
Stillwater’s loudest little Celtic band
“Talented musicians that entertain you with music and songs. Always entertaining and upbeat.”
“Great band playing really good music with sing-a-longs”
It’s great to have returning from Virginia ROOK RICHARDS!
Mike (Rook) Richards is a singer-songwriter based in Alexandria, VA and is currently performing throughout the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas while writing his next record to be released with Straight Shooter Music in Nashville TN with whom he signed an introductory radio deal with in 2019. Rook’s eclectic mix of influences include John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Wonder, and Kenny Loggins amongst many others.
CELTIC FOLK/TRAD STAGE
Presented by Belhaven Brewing
Welcoming back another fan favorite TULLAMORE!
“Tullamore, quite simply, show themselves to be undeniably world class…”
Now in their 24th season, a steady slate of performances throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the US have made Tullamore one of the Heartland’s premiere Celtic bands. Fueled by Rachel Gaither’s stellar vocals and hot fiddling, Mary Hanover’s beautiful voice and personal charm, Michael Coakley’s soaring tenor voice and tasty accordion stylings, and Mark Clavey’s creative genius and love of folk and Celtic music, Tullamore’s sound is unmistakable – an American-folk body with a traditional Celtic soul. Their take on Celtic music is rich and clear vocals, tight harmonies and instrumentals, and cool and clever arrangements. Across the country and across the ocean, from arts-centers to pubs, Irish Festivals to Scottish Highland Games, Tullamore are favorites wherever they go.
Looking forward to seeing THE SELKIE GIRLS!
One of the premier ensembles of the genre in the North Texas region.
Originally formed in 2013, The Selkie Girls have firmly established themselves as a mainstay in the North Texas folk music scene. With dozens of music and art festivals under their belt, as well as numerous television appearances, the band has toured throughout the States, never failing to captivate audiences with their unique instrumentation, lush harmonies, and dynamic arrangements. The band (Alli Johnson: vocals/guitar, Jaycie Skidmore: vocals/flutes/penny whistles, Dave Ervin: vocals/guitar/mandolin, Joel Black: upright and fretless acoustic bass, Martin McCall: percussion, and Linda Mudd: harp) draws upon a vast repertoire of ancient and contemporary ballads, traditional Irish and Scottish songs (often sung in the native tongue), and foot-stomping jigs and reels, creating a truly eclectic and affecting musical experience.
It wouldn’t be the same at Scotfest without the FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH!
Mike (Rook) Richards is a singer-songwriter based in Alexandria, VA and is currently performing throughout the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas while writing his next record to be released with Straight Shooter Music in Nashville TN with whom he signed an introductory radio deal with in 2019. Rook’s eclectic mix of influences include John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Wonder, and Kenny Loggins amongst many others.
MORE BAND ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON!
