Belly Up & ArtPower at UC San Diego
Lunasa
with Lunasa
Lunasa
Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honour of the Irish god Lugh, Lúnasa was formed in 1997 from members of some of the greatest Irish groups of the previous decade, an early review from Folk Roots magazine describing the band as an “Irish music dream team”. Having since performed over 2,000 shows across 36 countries, Lúnasa has won multiple awards and become one of the most influential bands in the history of traditional music. Collaborations with singers Natalie Merchant, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, and Tim O’Brien and high-profile concerts at The Hollywood Bowl, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Glastonbury Festival and Bercy Arena Paris helped broaden the band’s audience and cement it place at the forefront of contemporary Irish music.
Lúnasa’s current lineup consists of: Trevor Hutchinson, who achieved fame as the bassist with the The Waterboys: piper Cillian Vallely has played with Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades & Riverdance: Flute player Kevin Crawford, considered one of Ireland’s greatest flute players, was a member of Moving Cloud : award-winning fiddler Sean Smyth, who performed with Donal Lunny’s legendary Coolfin and accordionist Alan Kelly: Guitarist Ed Boyd made a name for himself in the UK folkscene with bands such as Flook, Kate Rusby, and Cara Dillon.
The band are currently celebrating the release of their 10th album “Live in Kyoto”, an album of new material that was recorded in the legendary Taku Taku club in Kyoto, Japan in Dec 2023.
“The result is a satisfying, well-tailored programme delivered with the distinctive blending of tightly reciprocal but almost casually dispatched ensemble playing that has become the quintet's signature." Songlines Magazine
“The playing here is exceptional, even by Lúnasa standards and while the music is very well done, it wouldn’t be as impactful were the recording itself not as good it is” The Irish Echo, New York
“On Live in Kyoto, you will find timeless, prodigiously performed, elegant, modern pieces that combine technical skill with deeply rooted Irish folk music traditions. The musicians deliver impeccable solos, ensemble pieces and brilliant instrumental interplay”. World Music Central
Lúnasa’s current lineup consists of: Trevor Hutchinson, who achieved fame as the bassist with the The Waterboys: piper Cillian Vallely has played with Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades & Riverdance: Flute player Kevin Crawford, considered one of Ireland’s greatest flute players, was a member of Moving Cloud : award-winning fiddler Sean Smyth, who performed with Donal Lunny’s legendary Coolfin and accordionist Alan Kelly: Guitarist Ed Boyd made a name for himself in the UK folkscene with bands such as Flook, Kate Rusby, and Cara Dillon.
The band are currently celebrating the release of their 10th album “Live in Kyoto”, an album of new material that was recorded in the legendary Taku Taku club in Kyoto, Japan in Dec 2023.
“The result is a satisfying, well-tailored programme delivered with the distinctive blending of tightly reciprocal but almost casually dispatched ensemble playing that has become the quintet's signature." Songlines Magazine
“The playing here is exceptional, even by Lúnasa standards and while the music is very well done, it wouldn’t be as impactful were the recording itself not as good it is” The Irish Echo, New York
“On Live in Kyoto, you will find timeless, prodigiously performed, elegant, modern pieces that combine technical skill with deeply rooted Irish folk music traditions. The musicians deliver impeccable solos, ensemble pieces and brilliant instrumental interplay”. World Music Central