Sounds of Music in New England

New England comes alive each summer and fall with hundreds of performances by extraordinary musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers. The concert and festival circuit is especially vibrant as touring bands from around the world play alongside amazing bands from the region. Read about some of our favorite concerts and outdoor festivals coming up from June through October.

Irish/Scottish/Celtic Concerts

Donegal is well represented in New England in June, with popular crooner Daniel O’Donnell, pictured above, performing June 6 at Nashua Center for the Arts in New Hampshire, and then June 8 at Historic Park Theatre in Cranston, RI. On June 13, Donegal-based vocal power-house quartet Onóir makes its inaugural live appearance at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, MA. And don’t forget local talent and Donegal ex-pats such as Declan Houton and Seamus ‘Slim’ Langan of local Irish band Devri, who perform around Massachusetts all summer.

Speaking of local connections, the California Irish band Gaelic Storm returns to New England this summer, with Lowell native Natalya Kay as lead fiddler. They perform June 19 at the Historic Park Theatre in Cranston, and then on June 20 at the Lowell Summer Music Series in Lowell, MA.

On June 22, singer/songwriter Mundy (pictured above) from Birr, Co. Offaly, performs at the Irish Cultural Centre. Dancing with the Celts, a touring ensemble that grew out of a PBS special 14 years ago, performs at the Nashua Center for the Arts on June 28.

Dublin band The High Kings are back in New England for shows at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, NH on July 10, followed by the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center in Newport, RI on July 12.

Irish duo Trevor Sexton and Ger O’Donnell return to the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton, on July 22, their third concert there over the past year. Also returning to Boston by popular demand this summer are the Saw Doctors, above, performing on July 24 at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway.

The heralded Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI presents local duo Rakish (pictured above) on July 20, featuring fiddle star Maura Shawn Scanlin from North Carolina and guitarist Conor Hearn from the Baltimore/ DC area. Then on August 17, Blackstone presents world music stars Beppe Gambetta and Yann Falquet, followed on August 24 by Turas, a local band of great musicians led by Bob Drouin, original member and founder of Pendragon.

Celtic Thunder, pictured above, a world-acclaimed quintet from Ireland popularized by its PBS special, perform on September 18 at the Colonial Theatre of Laconia, NH, September 19 at the Historic Park Theatre in Cranston, Rhode Island and September 21 at the Nashua Center for the Arts in New Hampshire.

In autumn, Scottish folk band Talisk and audacious Irish dancing duo the Gardiner Brothers (pictured below) are together at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston on October 4.

Rounding out the fall season, the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland presents the Tannehill Weaver on October 4, and Copley Street featuring uilleann piper Joey Abarta and fiddler Nathan Gourley on October 11. James Keelaghan, considered one of Canada’s finest songwriters, performs on November 8, followed by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet on November 15, the Kingston Trio on November 21, Celtic duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas on November 23 and Canadian trio Cécilia on November 29.

Folk / Rock / Americana / World Concerts

A slew of folk artists and rockers perform in New England this season, starting with singer/songwriter Liz Longley (above) at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on June 7; Quartermasters Council, a sea shanty ensemble, at Blackstone River Theatre on June 8; and the West African Benkadi Drum and Dance group at the JFK Library in Dorchester on June 14.

Spectacle Live presents legendary artist Graham Nash (pictured above) at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth on July 18, and at the Historic Park Theatre in Cranston on July 19. The singer/songwriter is a Grammy Award winner and two-time inductee in the Rock n Rock Hall of Fame for his work with the Hollies as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. On July 25, Spectacle presents Americana roots singer/ songwriter Adam Ezra and his band in New Hampshire at Nashua Center for the Arts.

Rockport Music presents some amazing music at the Shalin Liu this summer, including Sam Bush on July 18, AJ Lee and Blues Summit on July 20, and the Hot Club of Cowtown (pictured below) on July 24, and the Sweet Remains cap off the summer schedule on September 4.

In August, the City of Quincy celebrates its 400th anniversary with two legendary shows. On August 2, country superstar Darius Rucker and special guest Austin Williams perform at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The following night, August 3, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty brings his Celebration Tour to town.

Other great shows in August include banjoist Sierra Hull (pictured above) at the Lowell Summer Music Series on August 10, Big Richard at Shalin Liu on August 16, Emmy Lou Harris at Lowell Memorial Auditorium on August 21 and legendary folk singer Judy Collins at Plymouth Memorial Hall on August 22.

Pink Martini, the eclectic ensemble specializing in jazz, classical and vintage pop, perform at Shalin Liu in Rockport on October 8, Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington on October 12 and Nashua Center for the Arts on October 13.

irishboston.org/events