The Monster Ceilidh Band
Monday 2 July : 8.30pm
£10.00 : £8.00 concessions
“Outrageously foot-stomping tunes from this Newcastle based five-piece who mix quirky tunes with beats and attitude. Elegant traditional playing versus raucous rave-like rhythms reveals arrangements to ignite the dance floor”- Womex.
2011 started with a bang for Monster Ceilidh Band with the release of their second album in the SageGateshed. Called Mechanical Monster it featured two CDs; one acoustic, the other featuring electronic beats programming and percussion. Critics described it as “simply stunning… a monstrous success” (Songlines), “truly thrilling…make sure your curtains don’t catch on fire!” (R2), “A leap into the future… a success of monstrous proportions” (fRoots). Their music, “brilliant and exhilarating”, has its roots in tradition, but the combination of their talents has produced something innovative, contemporary, fresh and dynamic.
Monster Ceilidh Band have toured Russia and had appearances at Warwick Folk Festival, Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), Eden, Sunrise Celebration, Hay-on-Wye Festival (How The Light Gets In), Towersey, Priddy Folk Festival, the SageGateshead, The Acoustic Festival of Great Britain, London King’s Place Festival and Grassington Festival. A complete list of confirmed appearances is available on the Monsters’ website along with quotes from many of the organisers of these events.
As the Monsters come to the attention of more people, the plaudits continue to come, but when the credentials of the band members are considered, their success comes as little surprise.
Amy Thatcher is rightly considered one of the most talented folk accordionists of recent years. She has outstanding collaborations to her credit from Sting to Kathryn Tickell. Her powerful delivery of the tunes is complimented by the fiery and passionate fiddle of Carly Blain from the Borders region of Scotland. The two of them contribute their own very distinctive compositions to the repertoire.
The unique rhythm style of Kieran Szifris on mandocello blends with the fluid bass guitar of David de la Haye (Jez Lowe’s Bad Pennies). Both have extensive experience in performance across the UK and share an experimental approach to chord progressions, counter rhythms and harmony.
Joining the foursome on drums, now permanently, is percussionist and Drum and Bass producer Joseph Truswell (aka the Touch). Joseph deftly mixes unique programming with live drumming providing the beating heart of the live electronic sound.
The Monster Ceilidh Band is on something of a crusade to bring a powerfully modern and un-patronising approach to ceilidh music – dance music which has its feet in the heritage and tradition of the British Isles. The monsters are equally adept at playing for dancers and for concert audiences.
“An unbeatable live experience” (R2)
