The Irish tradition is like a battery that has been recharging itself for centuries. The energy and joy of life that you get from it flows back into it with every session, every concert, and keeps the cycle going. Those who participate give a lot and receive a lot in return. Happiness that can be shared with others is always stronger than that which is experienced alone. Collective memory and collective consciousness connect. It is fascinating that the tradition is simply there and you can participate in it so easily, even though everything in our world is becoming more expensive. It is "gold dust in your pocket," which you find anew each time you slip into the suit of tradition.

So let's see what gold nuggets the tradition has conjured up for us in the 53rd year of the Irish Folk Festival Tour.

We are looking forward to seeing you! Of course at the IFF with four program points that couldn't be more different, yet come together as the highlight of the evening in a colorful rainbow during the session. An Irish myth states that at the end of the rainbow there is a treasure hidden. This treasure is to this day a symbol of longing, happiness, and the dream of the unattainable. And perhaps that is exactly what has fascinated us all along: that you go in search of it – well aware that the end of the rainbow is never to be found.

Come with us on the search!

More information: https://www.irishfolkfestival.de


ALL BANDS:

BRIAN LEACH • Master of the hammered dulcimer

The music of Brian Leach is a spherical sound universe – traditional, progressive folk on the hammered dulcimer, full of depth and magic. Traditional melodies blend with wide, freely improvised sound arcs and pulsating rhythms. The hammered dulcimer – a zither found in many cultures – is relatively rare in Irish tradition, but is ideally suited to it, as the instrument combines both melody and accompaniment. Brian says: “When I compose in the idiom of traditional music, I dive into places and ideas, carried by encounters with people and landscapes. Irish music comes – so I believe – from the land, the sea, the earth, the cliffs, and the wind that surround us. It is a living tradition because these elements still have something to tell us. It is the composer’s task to listen and convey this message.” Brian’s cosmic sound opens gates between worlds: ancient layers of Celtic tradition merge with a fresh, visionary energy. His custom-built dulcimer sounds like no other – new, surprising, unmistakable – and captivates the audience. He has also incorporated dulcimer techniques from other cultures, from the Balkans to India. His compositions have been performed in the National Concert Hall Dublin, and he is frequently a guest on BBC Radio and RTÉ Television.

BRIAN HAITZ & BRENDAN MULHOLLAND • A duo of many sounds

The Irish Folk Festival is musically like a tasting menu: fine, hand-picked bites that create a longing for the green island and its music. With their performance, Brendan Mulholland and Brian Haitz show how intensely just two musicians can captivate an audience. Wooden flute and delicate guitar merge into virtuoso instrumentals, complemented by selected songs. Their music leaves a feeling of lightness and inspires – real food for the soul. Brian Haitz, a multi-instrumentalist and singer, was awarded Young Musician of the Year at the Sidmouth Folk Festival. His career has taken him into the studio and on stage with Irish folk greats like Paddy Keenan and Alan Doherty, as well as world musicians like Rüdiger Oppermann. Brendan Mulholland hails from County Antrim in Northern Ireland and is regarded internationally as one of the outstanding flutists of his generation. His expressive style, marked by distinct "blue notes" and unmistakable vibrato, can be heard on numerous recordings. Renowned artists and bands like Mary Dillon, Tempest, Grainne Holland, and John Carty have invited him to tours and CD productions.

ASTRO BLOC • A dynamic new folk band

They met during a session in a pub named "Bloc." However, the band name "Astro" refers to the universe, stars, something cosmic – an image of vastness, vision, or cross-border creativity. In connection with "Bloc," the strong bonds of the collective are evoked. Together, “Astro Bloc” is a symbol of a creative unit with cosmic breadth. On board: fiddler Eryn Rae, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year, internationally acclaimed percussion virtuoso and drummer Paul Jennings, the exceptional musician Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, who has won the “All Ireland Champion title” a whopping 11 times on several instruments, and the innovative guitarist Gillie O’Flaherty with his cross-genre accompaniment. The centerpiece of the spacecraft are the two fiddles of the young ladies, who toss the balls to each other. Sometimes in counter-rhythm, sometimes in sweet harmony, and sometimes in breathtakingly fast unison. They are propelled into their cosmic orbit by the powerful propulsion system of drums and guitar. Together they make sparks and infuse the folk scene with fresh, vibrant energy. Inspired by the sound worlds of Scotland and Ireland. A young, powerful folk band that merges tradition with unbridled creativity and creates an exciting sound that redefines the genre.

THE OUTCAST CREW • The godfathers of punky Folk

The Outcast Crew tears the rulebook to shreds and spices up Celtic music with a good portion of fire. Their sound is raw, wild, and contagious – Irish Trad-Punk like you haven't heard in a long time. Whether on stages across Europe or directly from the speakers at home: Nobody can overlook this band. Known as the “Godfathers of Punky Folk,” they ignite music rather than merely playing it. Their song “Bound for Hell” has made it not only to international stages but also into a BBC documentary about the Kinahans – Ireland’s most notorious crime family – a clear sign of their energy and impact. The rhythm section of drums and electric bass stokes a pulsating glow, onto which a captivating essence of Irish folk is poured. This is a hundred percent distillate of fiddle, guitar, and vocals. The raspy voice of lead singer and guitarist Brian O’Mahoney is that of a roughneck, and he looks the part. Beard, flat cap, and a driving guitar. Visually, they are already legends – flat caps, tousled beards, and looks as if they have seen every dive from Cork to Boston. Now, there is finally a band of true grit. With the “Godfathers of punky Folk,” this music style has exactly the right godfathers to continue to thrive.

© Magnetic Music Verlag 2025

Copyright: Magnetic Music GmbH

Admission: 19:00 Uhr