There are so many great Celtic bands. I'm not just talking about the standard ones you hear on Celtic radio programs. They are all over the world. And they are just amazing.
We all have our favorites. The Celtic Top 20 comes out on the last day of this year. That's when I will share YOUR favorite songs and tunes by Celtic bands on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast in 2020.
But for now, I get to share my favorites.
These were the Celtic bands and artists that I played the most on my podcasts. Their music moved me. So I just kept sharing it. They are listed in most-popular order. So check 'em all out.
As always, a huge thanks to Ask Stephen. Stephen compiles a list of ALL the bands and songs in every Celtic music podcast online. I'm extremely grateful for this amazing service.
1. We Banjo 3
Debuting in the U.S. in 2012, We Banjo 3 has since emerged as fast-rising touring darlings in the country that two of the members now call home. The Galway, Ireland, and Nashville-based quartet––comprised of two sets of brothers, Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley––continually push musical boundaries while maintaining an unwavering devotion to the essential audience experience.
WB3 seamlessly converge the shared and varied traditions of Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic music with pop-sensible songcraft to create a truly unique and gratifying signature sound. Brilliantly commanded instruments––banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and percussion––effortlessly elevate lead singer David Howley’s propulsive voice. Live on stage, their songs carry the listener along until, at the perfect moment, the band crescendos into catchy choruses with pitch perfect harmonies. We Banjo 3 deliver their music with such palpable rapport, stunning precision, and infectious energy, it’s impossible to pigeonhole what kind of listener might suddenly consider themselves a WB3 fan.
Watch the video for “Haven”
2. Jiggy
Jiggy continue the tradition of their musical ancestors while bringing a whole new exotic flavor to the table, more of a collective than an orthodox band, Jiggy’s mercurial line up mixes and melds Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves. Jiggy took the internet by storm with their video ‘Silent Place’ celebrating the global togetherness of dance and to date it has clocked up more than 35 million views. This has introduced the band to a brand new audience worldwide and their debut album TRANSLATE went to number 1 in the world music charts in Ireland, United States, Canada, France, Australia, Poland & UK and they are now a big hit with festival audiences across the globe.
Watch the video for “Silent Place”
3. The Selkie Girls
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. ?
Watch their video for “Star of the County Down”
4. Screaming Orphans
Screaming Orphans are four sisters with the good fortune to have been raised in the magic of Bundoran in County Donegal, Ireland. There is a great tradition of music to be found in Irish homes especially in the Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking areas which have produced the likes of Clannad, Enya and Mairead, Micheal and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill. Our home was no exception. From we were young, we've been singing and playing traditional Irish music but when we hit our teenage years we knew it was time to start our own pop rock band.
Check out the video for “Shine”
5. Ockham's Razor
Ockham's Razor creates a musical experience, not just a gig. They are a young, energetic band with Celtic roots that blends rock, bluegrass, gypsy, classical, pop and punk influences throughout our music. They include the audience in the show by getting off stage, into the audience and getting them dancing, singing along to the songs and breaking down that 4th wall that many bands put up between themselves and the audience. This creates a memorable experience for the the audience instead of a forgettable evening of “Who was that band?” The Yakima Folklife Festival described our sound as “Turbo-Celtic” and “Ethno-Punk”.
Ockham's Razor – Lark in the Morning from seattlerazors on Vimeo.
6. Barleyjuice
With six studio albums and a double CD collection in their sporrans to date, these five spirited yanks have made themselves one of the most beloved celtic rock bands in the US.
Frontman Kyf Brewer pens the majority of the group’s originals and lithely covers lead vocals, guitar, accordion, harmonica, mandolin, bouzouki, piano and bagpipes. He originally piped in the Loch Rannoch Pipe Band, and performed in Edinburgh’s Millennium March for Prince Charles. Kyf’s been a pro performer since his first band, The Ravyns, produced the hit “Raised on the Radio” for the 1982 film Fast Times At Ridgemont High, and his second internationally known group, Company of Wolves released their eponymous 1990 Polygram album to critical acclaim. Backing Brewer is a mad quartet of characters: guitar virtuoso Chris “Shep” Shepherd handles mandolin & conventional electric & acoustic guitars with his trademark flair and panache; captivating fiddler Kyle Blessing’s classical roots stray to bluegrass and country in the middle of the most authentic jigs & hornpipes; drummer Bogi Trifunovich is a powerhouse of driving decadence, while hopping bassist Eric Worthington is the musical snake-charmer of the deep and dulcet.
The ayes have it – Barleyjuice is a grand group of talented tunesmiths and prodigious performers, and the absolute best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt.
7. Lissa Schneckenburger
The down beat slams your body as the song grabs you and surges forward. You lean in to hear every word, as Schneckenburger’s voice sweetly sets the scene and then brings it to a boil, careening around each detail. The song ends before you’re ready, leaving you breathless with your heart thumping in your ears. You reach forward and hit repeat.
Raised in a small town in Maine and now living in Vermont, Schneckenburger grew up with music. She began playing fiddle at the age of six, inspired by her parent’s interest in folk music. In 2001 she graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with a degree in Contemporary Improvisation. She has been performing and teaching music around the world ever since. “To me, music creates community,” Schneckenburger says. “Music is what people sing along to, dance to, fall in love to… music brings people together. These songs are part of all of us, and it’s an honor to have had the chance to record them.”
Watch the video for “Labor On”
8. An Lár
An Lár („the center in Irish Gaelic) is one of the most vibrant Celtic Folk bands in Switzerland. They play original songs and tunes inspired by folk music from Ireland and Scotland and one can also note influences form places like Asturias and Brittany. Exciting arrangements, strong lead vocals and considerable skill on a wide range of instruments are typical features of the band.
Check out their music video for “The Return of the Dead”
9. Skeleton McKee
Skeleton McKee brings the best of rock and rollicking Celtic roots/folk/rock, pub songs, and a wee bit of trad, blues and Americana. This band keeps your toes tapping and your hands clapping with a dose of humor on the side. Skeleton McKee has made a big impact on the DFW Celtic music scene, with Celtic infused entertainment featuring great vocal harmonies, precision instrumentation and intricate rhythms. Skeleton McKee comprises jovial, experienced musicians who combine impressively diverse backgrounds to deliver the cream of the Celtic tradition. Once you experience a live show, you’ll know why their slogan is: “All For Fun and Fun For All!”
10. Runa
Celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary as a band, Celtic-American Roots music “super group”, RUNA, continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.
Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation.
Check out their music video for, “Dance in the Graveyards”
As usual, I am not listed here. But I did play music a decent number of times on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and Pub Songs Podcast.
Lets round out the list with the complete Top 20.
- Stringer's Ridge
- Eileen Ivers
- Alexander James Adams
- Heather Dale
- Tami Curtis
- Jesse Ferguson
- W Ed Harris
- Kilmaine Saints
- Syr
- The Gothard Sisters
Music is so important, especially in a year like 2020. We had a pandemic that sidelined hundreds of Celtic artists. Here we are at the end of the year. Most of these bands haven't had many gigs since it started. My heart goes out to all of these struggling artists. Many of them make a living with music. So not having gigs is financially devastating.
I want to ask a BIG FAVOR. Please find a way to support one of these amazing artists. Here's a quick list of five things you can do.
1. Subscribe to their mailing list.
2. Buy digital music.
3. Buy CDs, shirts or other merch.
4. Add one of their songs to one of your streaming playlists.
5. Email a track to one of your friends. Tell them to check out the band.
Oh! You can also ask them to check out one of my podcasts to hear more music by these artists.
