THE GATHERING
Kick-Arse Irish Band, The Gathering Irish Band is fronted by award winning Irish musician Mick McHugh. The band pride themselves on getting their audiences up and having fun with their high energy Irish dancing trad tunes and well-known rousing Irish sing-a-longs, blended with an array of popular and classic covers from Avicii and Mumford, to Creedence and Johnny Cash!
“Reliable, creative, collaborative and never fail to get the room rocking!”
Barry Corr, CEO Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce
Says Mick McHugh, “The Gathering is about Irish music at its essence - getting people together and having a great time”. In fact, The Gathering musicians often get out on the dance floor with their audience! The Gathering brings together some great contemporary Irish-Australian musicianship to put their unique stamp on Irish music. They have recorded for ABC Music, toured internationally, and entertained at major festivals such as Port Fairy Folk Fest and Australian Celtic Festival. The Gathering are regulars at Irish Murphy’s in Brisbane and Finn McCool’s in Fortitude Valley and at Surfers Paradise. Be sure to bring your dancin’ shoes and singing voices for this craicin’ (fun) Irish band!
AUSTRALIAN CELTIC WOMEN
Be transported to another land to celebrate your Celtic heritage with the Australian Celtic Women. ‘Formed to bring together the richness of celtic heritage while also celebrating our own unique celtic heritages whether one or two or more generations back." The Australian Celtic Women show brings together an all-female musical ensemble to transport you back to rolling hills, misty moors, and heavenly voices, with tantalizing harmonies, dazzling costumes and whirlwind fiddle playing. Stunning visual effects, angelic voices, costumes and choreography combined with the richness of Celtic instruments provides an unforgettable performance full of warmth, memories and exhilaration with the audience crying out for more. With years of experience in opera, musical theatre, folk, pop and Celtic music; each individual brings together all the best elements of music in one show.
LIMERICK MCB
A four-piece band from Bris, who are famed for being the shiz. Sittin' top of their game, Limerick is the name, And spreading Celtic rock is their biz! When joined by The Shamrock Dancers, performances get even fancier. The audience will roar, as hard shoes hit the floor, Leaving everyone craving more! Australian Celtic Music Awards winners, Limerick bring together 4 highly talented and entertaining musicians who have a passion for hi-energy music. Joined by The Shamrock Dancers, Limerick put on a show that will get your heart pumping, performing a line-up of toe tapping, beer stomping, sing a long, Celtic rock, traditional tunes, originals and modern crowd pleasers 😃. Limerick is one of the top QLD based Celtic bands and has been a feature band at many of the best venues and festivals across QLD & NSW, and has had the privilege of performing with and alongside world renowned artists. · Performed alongside Andrew Strong at The Tivoli Theatre Brisbane as support on Andrews 2024 Australian Tour. · Performed with Gerry O’Connor at the 2024 Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, Year of Ireland. · Performed with Paul Anderson at the 2023 Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Inness, Year of Scotland. Limerick has released 2 EP’s and a CD available to download or stream from all online music platforms. Band Members Tim Cody - Guitar Belle Hendrik - Bass Rabbit Robinson - Fiddle Craig Tobin - Drums The Shamrock Dancers Molly McAlmney Sarah Mohtady Sarah Kelly Yassie Mohtady
GRAEME McCOLGAN - THE SCOTSMAN
Graeme “The Scotsman” is a Scottish musician, ceilidh dance caller and event planner who traded Glasgow’s drizzle for Sydney’s sunshine in 2021, launching himself into Australia’s folk scene. With his guitar or 8-string ukulele in hand, he blends evocative vocals with everything from 200 year old Burns tales to modern upbeat folk tunes, captivating audiences nationwide. From regional community events up to national festivals, Graeme’s performances resonate with a passion for storytelling and a deep connection to his homeland. His melodies serve as a bridge between past and present, embodying the spirit of folk music while forging new paths forward.
KURRAJONG SONG
Laura Diete and Lissa-Kathe Rummery are a duo that bring Folk/Celtic songs back to life. Their roots are in the ground in Killarney QLD and they love to fill the air with the sounds of their songs. Their repertoire is traditional and new accompanying their harmonic vocals with guitar, Celtic harp, accordion whistle and percussion.
BECK-SIAN
Haunting, Enchanting, Ethereal & Celtic Music Beck Sian was born in Melbourne, Australia. Her mother is Welsh, and her father was born in England, but is from an Irish family. With Welsh and Irish blood, it seems only natural that Beck was going to be drawn to all things Celtic – everything from the artwork and mythology, Druidic reverence for nature and trees, tales of banshees, wraiths and faeries, to the musical instruments and haunting singing-styles. Beck Sian's original music is often influenced by the natural environment and folklore surrounding her, as well as the mystical side of things - tales of ghosts and the supernatural are a common lyrical theme. Related to English singer Kate Bush, it was her influence and artistic inspiration (as well as having a talented artist for a father) that sparked Beck's own desire to dance, sing and create. She is an award-winning songwriter, and has released four albums, with a fifth on the way. After ten years of touring and living in the U.K. and Europe, Beck has now returned to Australia with her harp, guitar, shruti box and tin whistle and is excited to bring her ethereal music to the Celtic Festival. Beck will be accompanied by guitarist and singer David Brimacombe. "A multi-layered unique artiste with a vocal gift to carry her anywhere." Judith Durham (The Seekers)
KEJAFI
Kejafi has cultivated their own sound within the Celtic music world. They bring their unique take on modern and traditional folk songs and tunes from Scotland, Ireland and Australia as well as adding to the repertoire of the genre with fresh, original tunes. Kejafi is Fiona McVicar on violin/vocals, James Gastineau-Hills on violin/viola and Ken O’Neill on octave mandolin/guitar. In 2024, the band recorded their second album “The Road” with a host of guest artists from the traditional, jazz and classical worlds to create a fresh and contemporary sound to folk and traditional music in Australia. The Folk Federation of NSW described the album as “a finely crafted collection of tunes and songs that time-travel between the traditional and the contemporary, not only demonstrating Kejafi’s musicianship but also showcasing their new repertoire of self-penned tunes”. The Road was also a finalist in 2024 Australian Folk Album of the Year held by Folk Alliance Australia. The band released their first album ‘Coast’ in 2019 followed by their second album “The Road” in March 2024. They have performed widely, including at the Sydney Opera House, National Celtic Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival, Baltimore Fiddle Fair filmed live on Sydney Harbour and multiple times at the Australian Celtic Festival, St Albans Folk Festival, Yass Irish and Celtic Festival and Sydney Folk Festival. They have also shared the stage with the wonderful Catriona McKay & Chris Stout, fiddle player Manus McGuire, bagpiper Chris Gray and Susan O’Neill.
LORNA WARNE
Lorna has been performing since she was very young and has always been fuelled by her passion for inspiring and moving others through the power of music. A talented musician, Lorna’s music has graced the stages of various Celtic and Folk festivals, captivating audiences with its unique blend of tradition and originality. She creates and produces her own music, all while incorporating a unique Celtic flair that pays homage to her roots. She blends traditional and innovative elements, including the Celtic Harp, the Bodhrán (Celtic drum), effects pedals and the beautiful Gaelic language. Lorna is passionate about keeping Gàidhlig alive in her music and also offers workshops from time to time to learn some Gàidhlig phrases & songs.
REBECCA WRIGHT & DONALD McKAY
Rebecca & Donald have been sharing their traditional Scottish and contemporary blend of folk for over a decade now, since they fell in love in the Scottish highlands and got married in a castle on the banks of the Clyde (okay, it might not have technically been a castle, but it looked enough like one!) Rebecca Wright and Donald McKay’s music has been likened to that of a good Scotch whisky: delightfully smooth, full of character and highly addictive. Donald was born in Paisley and raised in the hills southwest of Glasgow, while Rebecca is Brisbane born and bred. Accompanied by cello, requinto guitar and bodhran, they sing their favourite Scottish hits from the 1640s to now, with a few shanties thrown in for good measure. They have toured in Scotland, New Zealand and Australia, and have played at Woodford and National Folk Festivals, Australian Celtic Festival, Fassifern Highland Gathering, and The Gathering in Ipswich to name just a few. In November 2019 they played to a full house at Brisbane City Hall for the Lord Mayor's Lunchtime Concert, presenting an hour long concert for St Andrew's Day, "Scotland the Brave". More recently they have presented shows in conjunction with Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Anywhere Festival.
MICK McHUGH CELTIC KIDS SHOW
Mick McHugh, lead singer of The Gathering Irish band, will bring his Celtic Kids Show to CelticFest, where he’ll perform songs from his two ABC Kids Celtic music albums - Celtic Music for Children: Traditional Irish and Scottish Folk Songs, and Celtic Music for Children - Nursery Rhymes. The kids - big and little - can sing and dance along through the bubbles on the grass at the Meadows Marquee to favourites such as ‘I'll Tell Me Ma’, ‘The Rattlin Bog’, ‘Galway Girl’ ‘Molly Malone’ and ‘Danny Boy’. In Mick’s Celtic Kids Show, inspired by Celtic mythology, kids will meet Pooka and Dragon as they learn all about friendship, kindness, self-esteem and not judging others by appearances. Set in the magical Fairy Forest, kids can dance and sing along with Pooka and Dragon to some of the best Irish toe-tapping, hand clapping, foot stomping, energetic sing-a-alongs this side of the Fairy Kingdom!
MORETON CELTIC FIDDLE CLUB
The Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club is a group of energetic and talented Celtic musicians who meet monthly to play and learn Celtic and Bluegrass tunes. Musicians as young as 4 and adults as old as 80 join in and play together in rehearsals and performances. MCFC started in 2007 and is known for being one of the most entertaining groups in the Celtic fiddle group scene. They perform regularly at community and private events and functions, as well as Celtic festivals in Queensland and NSW. In addition, many members have had the opportunity to attend and perform at camps, workshops and masterclasses in Australia and abroad. You can catch Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club in the Meadows Marquee on Sunday 5 October at 12.30pm!
QUEENSLAND IRISH CHOIR
The Queensland Irish Choir is a non-auditioned, community choir established in 2014 under the inspired direction of Musical Director David O’Keeffe and Accompanist Tim Li. There are about 50 members in the choir, which normally performs at least three concerts a year, including mainly Irish melodies but also Celtic melodies originating from all over the world. Members do not need to be Irish to join, but must have a love of music, endless enthusiasm, a ready smile, and a commitment to rehearse regularly and to participate in the choir’s concerts. The QIC will perform twice on Sunday 5 October, in The Pavilion, and will also run the Pop-Up Celtic Choir half-hour workshop between performances.
