The most-requested act on guest surveys, the Pipers are playing (again) in Peoria! The Chillis have never been more in demand for their infectious style of feel-good music which appeals right across the age range to people all over the world. They have a pool of the very best musicians from Scotland and across the globe – many holding World Champion titles and all serious players with impressive credentials and qualifications. Awarded ‘Best Live Act in Scotland’ twice, the band likes to call themselves Bagpipes with Attitude, Drums with a Scottish Accent, and a Show so Hot it Carries its Own Health Warning!
Another favorite returns to Peoria! The Byrne Brothers are a multi award winning family band and Irish dancers from Donegal and one of the biggest names in traditional Irish music today. They’re all County Champions on their instruments and Ulster Champion Irish Dancers. Having moved to Orlando Florida in 2018 they became the youngest ever Cast Members of Walt Disney World. The Byrne Brothers are taking Traditional Irish Music and Dance to a whole new level!
Socks in the Frying Pan are a multi-award-winning trio from County Clare on the West coast of Ireland, the universal hub of Irish traditional music. Their dynamic vocal harmonies, virtuosic musical ability and
their onstage wit has captured and captivated audiences the world around. One of the most sought-after groups in Irish music today, the worldwide ‘Sock Invasion’ continues! Returning to Peoria after a 7-
year hiatus.
Singer/songwriter, Neil Byrne has performed and toured as part of Celtic Thunder and the duo Byrne and Kelly. Neil’s talents have earned him multiple charting records as well as worldwide recognition.
A native of Co. Wicklow, Neil’s music comes straight from the heart. “I wanted something that would excite me, something that would make me cry, something that would make me laugh, something I would find myself dancing to without trying and most importantly something with a cool vibe. I was after a common thread throughout…. I could visualize the live performance, an unconventional, energetic, charismatic, quirky show all in one mix.”
Having stormed the U.S Irish Festival scene for years with the band SLIDE, this duo are now set to continue the legacy. With elements of Folk, Roots and the Traditional in the soulful voice and electrifying banjo of Curley, complimented by the mastery of Broderick’s driving bouzouki playing, this marks one of the latest magical combinations of Irish Traditional Music. They are now regarded as some of the finest
exponents of Irish music worldwide. Catch ’em while you can.
2022 MG ALBA Musician of The Year nominee Ryan Young brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music, receiving international praise for his spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. He was
twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and twice a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of The Year. His sound is very distinctive and takes the listener on
an emotional and adventurous journey in any performance.
Irish virtuoso guitarist Shane Hennessy has established himself as one of the leading guitarists on the world stage, known widely for his fingerstyle, flatpicking, and percussive guitar-playing approaches. His
energetic live performances and his cinematically-vivid compositions tie in influences from Bach to Beyoncé – and everything in between! With a unique style of solo guitar playing that encompasses the
range of a whole band – covering drums, bass, rhythm and lead lines – Shane builds a complete sonic world entirely on his own.
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note. Today, Pennsylvania-based House of Hamill is a fixture on festival stages across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Come see and hear their sophisticated indie Irish folk!
Formed in the summer of 2014, Still Shine is a group of like-minded, seasoned musicians blending acoustic roots and progressive bluegrass. Mixing mandolin, harmonica, acoustic guitar, banjo and upright bass, and tight harmonies they’ve quickly gained a following around the local Midwest. Along with some well received original music, the band performs an upbeat, energetic show you won’t want to miss! They’re sure to get your toes a tappin’ and your shine on!
Songs of Gaelic origin exhilarate the heart and soul like no other. Meaning trip or journey in Gaelic, Turas delivers fantastic flurries of woodwind melodies and an ample arrangement of strings, whistles and an Irish adaptation of the Greek bouzouki. Turas is answering the call to their Celtic roots, and the beat of their Irish bodhran is sure to lift your spirits up and away with the fairies.
Taisce is a Chicago-based fiddle and harp duo featuring Lillian Reasor and Annie Fondaw. Their music is deeply rooted in Irish and Scottish folk traditions but pulls from a variety of wide-ranging sounds and influences, including classical and improvisational techniques. Both accomplished players, Reasor and Fondaw have knit together a thoughtful collection of Celtic tunes both old and new.
Better known simply as The Zukes, this group is an Irish/Folk band from right here in Peoria and they perform regularly at pubs, festivals, parties and concerts across the area. Come see what all the excitement is about and you’re sure to be clappin’ along and tappin’ your toes!
Barry Cloyd is a Midwest based full time touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/historian performing 200+ shows of all types per year. Expert percussionist Tom Jones, a longtime resident of the Central Illinois’ Celtic music scene brings a wealth of songs, stories and skills to the stage. Come listen to this duo, and you won’t be disappointed!
Formed in 2010, Skibbereen plays Celtic music, but with a nod toward many other popular styles. So, if Skibbereen sounds like a rock band on one song and a reggae band on another, it’s the band’s M.O. of borrowing, adapting, and finding new ways to arrange traditional tunes. Just as Celtic music has influenced others, Skibbereen sees themselves as an extension of where this music has traveled and evolved. And it’s a beautiful thing.
Broken Brogue is a four-piece Irish band based in Decatur, Illinois that plays a variety of Celtic music rooted in the time-honored artistic traditions of Ireland and Scotland. Noted for their relaxed and warm-hearted performing style, their performances are informed by the diverse musical backgrounds of the members, which include the Irish-born, the doctoral educated, the pipe band veteran, and the classically trained violinist. Be sure to check them out!
One night in 2018, three women walked into a pub, each wielding an instrument. They were shirttail musical kin, though never having played together until that serendipitous moment when their three-part harmonies and stringed instruments blended together beautifully. Today, ukulelist Emily Williams, guitarist Christina Eltrevoog, and Irish fiddler Sarah Arter are known as The Morning Larks, delighting audiences with original compositions, traditional Irish ballads, lively fiddle tunes, and unique interpretations of Irish songs.
Join local pub favorite, The McDowell’s, as they weave their tales of good times, love, misery and heartbreak … sometimes all in the same song! Their following is mighty, and they welcome you into their ranks.