Two folk concerts this weekend – one virtual and one live

by | Jan 21, 2022

The Seattle Folklore Society is putting on two excellent shows this weekend, starting with Scottish power trio CantripĀ online Saturday evening starting at 7pm. Sunday, live at the Phinney Center Dave Curley & Andrew Finn Magill, “two of the most exciting young musicians in the US.”

Cantrip (Online Concert)

Jan 22, 2022 (Sat) – Jan 23, 2022 (Sun) / 7:00 pm

Buy Tickets here: https://knct.club/3FFTQOa



The name Cantrip is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements, likewise the compelling potency of their musicianship. Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and three rich voices blend to create a sound energetic enough to tear the roof off. Echoes can be heard of trad music from the 1960s and 70s, but the years have slowly infested their music with the sounds of funk, metal, bluegrass, swing, and even klezmer.

Originally formed as a quartet, Cantrip sprung from a local session in Edinburgh nearly twenty years ago. Their driving music immediately caught the attention of the masses, and they were quickly signed to the Foot Stompinā€™ label. With their first album ā€œSilverā€ (2001) in hand, Cantrip made its way across the water to the United States, where they were received with roars and shouts (of enjoyment). After years of significant touring, the band parted ways with Foot Stompinā€™ and began producing albums on their own. Two albums later (ā€œBoneshakerā€ in 2005 and ā€œPiping the Fishā€ in 2008), Cantrip had cemented itself as a perennial figure. After a period of hiatus in which children were born and continents were left for new ones, Cantrip redefined its sound. Trimming itself to a trio, the band tightened its arrangements while expanding its influence. New inspirations began creeping into the sound, complementing the traditional foundation of the band. This more mature sound debuted on ā€œThe Crossingā€ (2016), to high acclaim. In 2019, the band gathered 50 of its closest friends and fans and returned to its roots, re-recording Silver in a live format (Cantrip Live), re-arranged yet with a more youthful sound than the original. The process inspired a new approach for the band, which they implemented for their upcoming fifth studio album ā€œUndarkā€. In late 2019, they spent a week in their original home of Edinburgh creating and recording new music. All of the tracks on this album were captured live in one take by engineer and longtime friend of the band Reuben Taylor. This seminal album, slated to be released in Fall 2020, shows a new and darker side of the group while preserving the elements that audiences have come to know and love. After 20 years of touring, Cantrip has found a character like no other. Dan Houghton, Jon Bews and Eric McDonald stir the elements in a witchesā€™ cauldron, slowly coalescing into chaotic order.

This is a virtual show.Ā Streaming starts at 7pm Saturday, January 22nd, and may be accessed for 24 hours (starting your view before 7pm Sunday January 23rd). Online tickets are $20 (General), $30 (Super Supporter), $12 (Need-Based Discount). Tickets are available from:Ā https://knct.club/3FFTQOa


Dave Curley & Andrew Finn Magill ā€“ Live at the Phinney Center

Jan 23, 2022 (Sun) – Jan 24, 2022 (Mon) / 7:00 pm

Buy Tickets here: https://knct.club/3sBO78m
Venue: Phinney Center Concert Hall, Brick Building, 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle

(The in-person concert starts at 7pm, Sunday Jan. 23rd, lasting until approximately 9:30. The online concert will be available until Monday nightĀ  ā€“ start your viewing by 7pm Monday, Pacific Time)

We are requiring that you be vaccinated to attend shows in person. We will be checking your vaccination card, photo of card on your phone, or electronic version (eg myir.mobile.net). Please be sure you have one of these forms of proof of vaccination available. Thanks for your cooperation and patience. If you have a ticket for a live show and you feel unwell, please do not attend — we can accommodate you with a virtual streaming ticket, or a refund — please contact us atĀ [email protected]

We are delighted to welcome Andrew Finn Magill back to the SFS stage, this time paired with Irish singer, multi-instrumentalist, and stepdancer Dave Curley.

Dave Curley is one of Irelandā€™s leading multi-instrumentalists, vocalists and a champion step dancer. Hailing from Co. Galway on the west coast of Ireland, Curley has brought his wealth of talents to the largest of stages in North America and Western Europe. He has an outstanding voice and a dynamic instrumental prowess whichĀ  can also be heard with the groups Slide, Runa, and One for the Foxes,Ā and as a guest with many other musicians.Ā 

For twenty years North Carolina-native violinist/fiddlerĀ Andrew Finn MagillĀ has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle. Magill learned from the best fiddlers in the world at The Swannanoa Gathering and is a Fulbright fellow, North Carolina Arts Council Fellow, and Ropeadope Recording artist. He has been featured on MTV and multiple times on NPRā€™sĀ The Thistle & Shamrock.Ā His 2016 albumĀ RootsĀ (featuring Cillian Vallely of LĆŗnasa and John Doyle) debuted at number #46 on the folk DJ charts and since then he has toured internationally and headlined several Irish festivals. He has performed with grammy-nominees John Doyle, Trio Brasileiro and Rising Appalachia among manuy others. In 2020 he released albums with former Paul McKenna Bandmate SeĆ”n Gray, and Scottish singer and guitar & bouzouki-player Alan Murray.

The original acoustic music of this duo has an Irish foundation but draws on a myriad of influences. Come hear two of the most exciting young musicians in the U.S. for a night of original music!

This concert will be presented both in person and online.Ā Tickets are available for the live concert, livestream (with 24 hour viewing period), or a combo: In-person at Phinney(advance prices) $22, $20 SFS/PNA member/senior/student, $10 Youth to age 17; adults $2 more at the door ($24/$22/$10).Ā Online options ($20/household general, discount need-based level or ā€œSuper-Supporterā€ levels, or $5 add-on to the live ticket) are also available.

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