A Spectacle Of Celtic Music

By Irish Boston Tourism Newsroom

Three immensely popular Celtic bands are returning to New England this summer, thanks to the tireless efforts of Spectacle Live, a concert promotion and venue management group led by Lowell native Pete Lally.

First up is Gaelic Storm, pictured, performing at Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington on June 14. The band became famous thanks to the soundtrack to the hit movie, The Titanic, and has been touring the country for the past two decades. The group’s rich storytelling, masterful melodies, professional stagecraft and devotion to Celtic traditions have cemented its reputation while making scores of new fans along the way. Gaelic Storm recently added two new members to the band – Natalya Kay on fiddle and Parker Hastings on guitar – and both bring their own youthful energy and musicianship to bear.

Local favorite Natalya Kay grew up in Lowell, where she learned to play Irish fiddle from teacher Laurel Martin and honed her chops by entering the city’s annual Banjo and Fiddle Contest each summer. Natalya is quickly becoming a fiddle star in her own right and is now living in Nashville, TN when she’s not on the road.

Next up is The High Kings, pictured below, who perform at Cary Memorial Hall on July 10, Nashua Center for the Arts in New Hampshire on July 11 and the Jane Pickens Film & Event Center in Newport, RI on July 16.

The renowned Dublin quartet includes Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy and newest member Paul O’ Brien. Together they have re-invigorated the Irish ballad tradition with their powerful voices and strong musicianship, becoming global ambassadors of Irish heritage and storytelling in the process.

Their New England concerts are part of the group’s Rocky Road Tour and is part of a worldwide schedule that takes The High Kings to Germany, USA, Canada and Australia this year alone. Rocky Road promises to be a vibrant showcase of Irish culture, energy, and musicality.

And finally, Celtic Thunder, pictured below, perform at Plymouth Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA on September 18. First formed in 2007, the group consists of Emmet Cahill, Neil Byrne, Damian McGinty and Ronan Scolard, all powerful vocalists who are stars in their own right, but whose voices blend together for a distinctive Celtic sound all their own.

In addition to their flawless performance of traditional Irish melodies, the group also performs international popular songs and some original pieces too. The quartet is backed by a marvelous band of top-flight musicians.

This year marks the 18th tour of North America for Celtic Thunder, a remarkable tenure that is a testimony to the group’s passionate fan base and its capacity to reach audiences across the land.

spectaclelive.com