| Camden’s Finest By Grainne McLoughlin
London’s biggest annual music and dance festival is set to get under
way in Camden this weekend. Boasting more musicians, artists and teachers
than ever before, the seventh annual Return To Camden has something for
everyone. Grainne McLoughlin finds out what’s on offer.
So what can people expect from this year’s Return to Camden Town Festival?
For 10 action-packed days some of Ireland and Britain’s top traditional
players and dancers will entertain and teach in a programme of concerts,
céilís, workshops, sessions and talks for adults and children at all levels.
A 2005 Return To Camden Town Festival magazine containing articles, artist
biographies, sheet music and full event details is available from the Festival
hotline, price £3, or at festival concerts and ceílís.
Where and when will the various events take place?
The festival itself runs for 10 days, from Friday, October 21 through
to Sunday, October 30. It’s being launched at the London Irish Centre on
Friday. Events throughout the 10 days will take place at The London Irish
Centre, Camden Town and in neighbouring venues.
How far has the festival developed since it began in 1999?
It’s now in it’s seventh successful year and in that time we’ve seen
the festival go from strength-to-strength. This year concerts will feature
one of Ireland’s top bands, the pride of Donegal and internationally-renowned
Altan.
There are also a number of rare London appearances by flute-player Matt
Molloy — of The Bothy Band and The Chieftains — in the company of fiddle/flute/banjo
maestro John Carty and the acclaimed guitarist Arty McGlynn.
There’s also an even rarer outing for four members of one of Ireland’s
foremost musical dynasties in Kerry’s Begley Family, as well as the chance
to catch the concertina virtuoso Noel Hill with De Dannan’s Alec Finn.
Hungry Grass, who are set to launch their debut album here are also expected
to be a huge hit at the festival.
And what about the dance element to the festival?
There’s plenty to attract Irish dance fans, with ceílí nights in the
company of The Four Courts and Heather Breeze ceili bands, as well as dance
classes led by acclaimed tutors Eileen O’ Doherty, Aidan Vaughan and Leora
Barrett.
And as ever there’ll be plenty of dance and music workshops led by the
dance tutors and musicians appearing at the festival and a plethora of sessions
in nearby pubs and the London Irish Centre itself.
Full more details on the festival contact
www.returntocamden.org
or contact the festival hotline: 07871 088121.
Bands and artists to look out for...
Altan
No Irish band in the last dozen years has had a wider impact on audiences
worldwide than Altan.
Started by Belfast flute player Frankie Kennedy and Gweedore singer and
fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, they were gradually joined by accomplished
musicians including Ciarán Curran, Mark Kelly, Paul O’Shaughnessy, Donal
Lunny, Brian Masterson, Steve Cooney, Ciarán Tourish and Dermot Byrne.
In 1996 Altan were signed to Virgin, gaining gold and platinum albums.
Their appearance at the Return To Camden Festival provides an unmissable
opportunity to experience Altan’s music in an intimate setting.
www.altan.ie.
Matt Molloy, John Carty and Arty McGlynn
Matt Molloy and John Carty have recently teamed up to become the latest
flute and fiddle duo in the long line of greats hailing from North Connaught
including combinations such as James Morrisson and John McKenna, the McDonough
Brothers and Peter Horan and Fred Finn.
Together with virtuoso Arty McGlynn they have been exploring the unique
and wild music of the North West corner of Ireland.
Their flute and fiddle duo promises to be an exciting act for opening
night.
The Begley Family
Family of nine musical brothers and sisters from Co. Kerry. Séamus Begley’s
most recent CD Ragairne (Revelling at Night), recorded with guitarist Jim
Murray, was voted 2001 Traditional Album of the Year in both Hot Press and
The Irish Times.
Breanndán Beaglaoich is highly regarded for his skills as an accordion
and melodeon player and singer. Breanndán has recorded with The Chieftains
and presents TG4’s current traditional Irish music programme Geantraí.
Hungry Grass
Hungry Grass are a five-piece outfit playing their own brand of energised
traditional Irish and original music, from fast and furious reels to soulful
ballads with a strong emphasis on improvisation and spontaneity.
The band have performed across Europe — from weddings in Iceland, cruise
trips in Scandinavia to the Savoy Hotel, Wimbledon Tennis Championships,
the Irish Embassy and the Royal Festival Hall. They have also played for
the Mayor of London and performed at London’s South Bank.
Other artists to watch out for...
Noel Hill & Alec Finn
Frankie Gavin & Carl Hession
The McCarthy Family
The London Lasses & Pete Quinn
The Four Courts Céilí Band
Helen Roche
Mary McPartlan
Séamie O’Dowd & Eddie Lynch
Slip Jigolos
Brian Conway & Brendan Dolan
Carmel Gunning
Billy Teare
Leora Barrett
Heather Breeze Céilí Band
Mick Mulvey & Simon Wroe
James Carty
Damien Mullane & Jackie Wynne
Siansa
Colette O’Leary & Paddy Gallagher
Eileen O' Doherty
Aidan Vaughan
John O’ Regan
Liam Scanlon
Billy McCormick
Andy Lambert & Michelle Milan
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