Whether you’re a die-hard Celtic music fan or your interest tends to heat up more around St. Patrick’s Day, we have a band for you! We’ve assembled 17 of them here for you to add to your holiday playlist, or to check out in your spare time. Each of them has earned a spot on the list because they have something special to offer, so take a listen—and enjoy!

1. The Gothard Sisters

These three sisters rose to prominence for a reason! Their exuberance shines as they play and sing together, and nearly any music lover will find something to like in their collection of songs. Their sound reflects the meaning of their last name, Gothard, which literally means “good and hardy”. Listen to them for the harmonies and the unique brand of contemporary Celtic folk (and other influences) that they provide. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll probably find yourself reaching for their music far past when the St. Pat’s holiday has gone by. They really are that good.

I've grown to love their music more and more as they years go by. I also love that they are Lord of the Rings fans, as you can hear on this Hobbit Playlist episode of Pub Songs & Stories.

2. Christy Moore

Christy Moore’s music has been around for a very long time in the Celtic music scene—both as a founding member of the well-known Irish group Planxty, and also with a career of his own. What began in the 1950s with piano lessons blossomed into a story that has spanned many decades, and Irish music that is seasoned and rich. You’ll hear ballads and rousing folk rhythms when you listen to his music, but don’t be surprised to hear a political point of view in some of his songs as well. He’s never been shy about speaking his mind. He was one of my main influences when I started playing Irish music, and he's still a favorite.

3. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

If vocal “pipes” are as important to you as the bagpipes are in Celtic music, then be sure to give Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh a listen! Her vocal timbre is such a pleasure to listen to, no matter the song. If you know this genre of music she’ll be no stranger to you, as she also was the lead singer of Danú for over a decade. Her one-of-a-kind sound packs an appeal for sure, and she’s often found collaborating with other musical artists as well. Also, if you enjoy the flute, she’s magic with that instrument too! It was so incredible seeing her live on one of my Celtic Invasion Vacations.

You can hear her talk about one of her Fairy tunes on my Pub Songs & Stories podcast.

4. Jesse Ferguson

You may have already found Jesse Ferguson if you spend some time on YouTube checking out Celtic music. His channel features himself—playing with himself on many songs; as well as some down home, in-home singing and playing that makes you feel like you were invited to a friend’s house for a personal performance! Of course, Ferguson also has a presence elsewhere with his albums, and a fine voice that can fill a room—and warm a heart. He offers a nice selection of spirited folk music, plays all the instruments, and sings all the harmonies on his songs. Very impressive!

Jesse hosted an episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and introduced me to a bunch of great Canadian Celtic bands.

5. Ed Miller

If your Celtic music tastes tend to run more along the Scottish route, Ed Miller is a must, because he’s “the real deal”. He’s been performing for over 35 years, and has a PhD in Folklore as well. This interesting blend of experience crafted a musician that is not only skilled, but truly fascinating in many ways. In addition to his music, Miller is also a radio host, speaker, and teacher of Scottish folksong at various locations across the United States. Know that this isn’t campy Scottish music, it’s the good stuff, presented by someone who really “gets it”. A joy to listen to!

Ed was by far my favorite singer when I lived in Austin. His storytelling his just mind-blowing. I learned a lot of great songs from him. He also hosts his own Scotland-centric radio show.

6. Ockham's Razor

Seattle gives us something completely different in Ockham’s Razor—more along the lines of Celtic rock, but with a smattering of other influences as well. Those who prefer an updated Celtic sound will naturally gravitate here to listen. Their music is just super catchy! They are difficult to describe succinctly, but deserve a spot on this list just as much as anyone, as they have truly created their own sound. If you are looking for something outside of the typical folksy scope of things, this is more than you could ask for. They’re just super cool.

I love their music. But it was amazing to have Kris Clements join me for a Pride Month episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I learned a lot about Kris' history with Celtic music.

7. Brad Tuck

As a more recent solo artist, Brad Tuck is still no stranger to the Celtic music scene—he is also the drummer for Shanneyganock, a band in his native Newfoundland. In 2018 he released his first album, and has been doing so ever since. So easy to listen to, the music he offers up has a very wide appeal. It’s easy to see why listeners find his songs such a pleasure. Some of the tunes are energetic, while others are quite mellow, and Tuck is comfortable in all of them. His music is well-produced and the arrangements are smart and polished.

It did not take long for me fall in love with Brad's music. It's upbeat, polished, and catch as hell. I can't wait for the next album or EP to be released.

8. Syr

Did someone say Celtic Folk Rock? Well! Syr is an excellent choice in this particular genre. Driving rhythms, rock instrumentation, and a heavy dose of Celtic flavor all combine into an excellent musical stew here. This South Carolina band has tried their hand at everything from battle songs to ballads, and it can be a lot of fun to explore their catalogue of music. One thing’s for sure, no matter what type of song they are delivering, you’ll be sure to hear the passion in it. They sing each song as if it were their last.

It's the energy and creativity that fires me up about this band. It's different from most of the Celtic Rock on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. And different is amazing!

9. Heather Dale

An independent musical artist, Heather Dale is a Celtic folk singer who puts her own spice on things. Those new to her music may want to start with the song, “Mordred’s Lullaby”, which really took off on YouTube. It’s dreamy and pretty and emotional all at once. Her voice is transcendent—soaring through the lyrics and setting a distinct mood for each and every track she has crafted. It’s worth a mention that the band that backs her is also quite up to the task, and that definitely makes a difference in the quality of the music. It hits on all counts.

One of the things that really stood out to me was seeing her perform live. Heather is an amazing storyteller. You can hear it on the recent Celtic Woman episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. If you're a Patron of that podcast, you definitely need to hear her story of “Mordred's Lullaby”. It's as magical as the song.

10. Tartanic

Tartanic speaks right to the heart of the Celt. The hum of the bagpipes. The thump, thump, thump of the drums. The stinging, singing rhythms and soulful cry of them blended together—and still, they manage to bring something new to the sound with their arrangements. This is visceral music here. Nothing subtle about it—and that is its charm! Truly a slice of heaven for anyone who loves these traditional instruments. You could just listen to it for hours and hours on end! Outstanding.

The naming conventions of Celtic tunes has always interested me. I love that it interests Tartanic too as you can hear this podcast.

11. Scythian

This band hails from Washington DC and offers a blend of Celtic and Americana in their musical style. They started out as a group of friends performing on the street, and this solidified over time into an official status which has since played well over 1,000 shows in the time they have been together. You’ll hear a good dose of country flavor in many songs, but this band really isn’t neatly categorized. (You’ll have to see for yourself what you think.) No matter where you place them musically, they make a fun listen!

They've also been dominating the Celtic Top 20 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast these past two years. Definitely a band to follow.

12. Matt & Shannon Heaton

Husband and wife duo Matt and Shannon Heaton are a great choice for those looking for a traditional music sound that is still fresh and interesting to take in. It’s always amazing to hear how much music just two people can produce! Guitar, flute, vocals, they make it their own—without in any way abandoning the underpinnings of what makes them timeless songs. The warmth of this pairing flows through and is a real focal point here. They'd likely have a place in just about anyone’s collection of Celtic music.

Shannon also hosts Irish Music Stories. She shares a lovely story about her set “The Shady Spot” on Pub Songs & Stories.

13. Jiggy

Simply put—Jiggy is a jam! The grooves cut by this Celtic band are pretty dang fantastic—and very unexpected! You really never know what is coming next. It’s tough to manage changing things up during a song without it sounding too disjointed. Jiggy does it and makes it sound like it couldn’t be any other way. Each tune evolves and you get the feeling that there’s no script for what it happening—in the best possible sense. If you like cool mash-ups, don’t miss this band. You won’t hear any music that's quite like it.

The Jiggy videos on YouTube will get you up and dancing, no matter your race, creed, or color!

14. We Banjo 3

Although this band recently separated to pursue individual projects, there’s still a decade of music to explore from their archives, and it’s super enjoyable. Hailing from Galway, We Banjo 3 plays a blend of Celtic Americana that relies heavily on strings (and yes, Banjo is a part of that!). As with many Celtic bands, their history was steeped in jamming together until they found themselves official! We couldn’t resist adding them here because they really have some lovely music to offer.

We Banjo 3 is another band that is topping the Celtic Top 20 every year since I added them to the show.

15. Wolf & Clover

A blend of old and new, Wolf & Clover are a little different than some of the other bands here. They don’t limit themselves to old time tunes, nor are they squarely planted in the current offerings of Celtic music. They are very inclusive in what they play, and it works surprisingly well! A super pick for listeners that enjoy both traditional sounds and modern melodies. You can have it all with this band!

They're a new addition to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, but I hear great music coming from them.

16. Poitin

With a six piece band, you can make a whole lot of music—and when it’s Celtic music—that’s a fantastic thing! While bands like Wolf & Clover are choosing songs from a wide scope, Poitin are often more focused on a particular type of music on each of their albums, and it's often steeped in history. What you’ll hear is the skill that comes with over 20 years of playing as a band, the ease with which each musician yields to the next as they move effortlessly through the songs. Very nice!

They are one of the earliest additions to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast with their “Congress Reel” set (AMAZING!). Their latest album, One for the Road, brings back that fire!

17. Socks in the Frying Pan

Ending this list on a fun note—we have Socks in the Frying Pan, and you can certainly tell by the name that this is a band that won’t be boring! Indeed, this trio hails from County Clare and has blazed quite a trail since they came on the music scene. Not many groups have had such a fast rise to popularity, but is not hard to see why they’re gaining notoriety—they’re just that good. Although their style is traditional, you won’t find it to be the typical fare…they riff on melodies and add their own brand of charm to each and every track.

I loved their first album. It took me quite a few years to get subsequent albums to the show. And I'm glad I persisted. The keep putting out great music.

So there you have it! A great list of Celtic bands to spice up your St. Patrick’s Day listening—with everything from the most traditional tunes to the more experimental! Each of these bands was chosen because they provide a truly wonderful listening experience—and we hope you enjoy sampling them all!

If you haven't done so yet, check out these 3 Essential Celtic Podcast for St Patrick's Day. None are from me. But… I'm sure you can guess what the bonus podcasts are!

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