Courtesy of Irish Fest
In the 19th century, the Irish came to America in large numbers. They escaped poverty and hardship in their homeland, bringing little with them aside from resourcefulness, the willingness to work hard and a great spirit for life and music.
Milwaukee, one of many cities in the U.S. that attracted Irish immigrants, has been home since 1981 to Irish Fest, the largest Irish music and cultural festival outside of Ireland and, perhaps, the world. The annual event was cancelled last year due to COVID but returns in 2021 with the theme “The Spirit of Irish America,” showcasing the music and traditions brought to the U.S. from Ireland and other Celtic nations.
Courtesy of Irish Fest
Rory Makem
Irish Fest, held Friday through Sunday, Aug. 20-22 on the Henry Maier Festival Grounds, will play host to dozens of musical artists who echo the rich heritage of Irish music. Among this year’s concert highlights:
Cherish the Ladies
Since the 1980s this all-women super-group has broadened the role of women in the Celtic music scene. Taking their name from a popular Irish jig, Cherish the Ladies’ members are often multi-instrumentalists as well as singers, and have toured the world and recorded prolifically. Their performances are usually accompanied by Irish step dancers.
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Gaelic Storm
California rooted Gaelic Storm were given a unique opportunity: a year after they began playing sessions at an Irish pub in Santa Monica, they were catapulted to stardom, playing for the immigrants in steerage in James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic. Since then, Gaelic Storm has maintained a relentless schedule of touring and recording in traditional Irish and Scottish styles with high rankings on Billboard’s world music charts.
JigJam
Ireland’s JigJam have won awards and gained popularity on the festival circuit for performing music they called “I-grass.” JigJam’s Irish influenced bluegrass performs a musicological full circle, given the Celtic influences on the music that grew up in Appalachia, including bluegrass. The quartet is known for the foot-stamping energy of its live shows.
The Murphy Beds
A duo from New York City, The Murphy Beds consists of Eamon O’Leary and Jefferson Hammer, singing and playing string instruments on a bevy of original numbers and traditional songs from the U.S. and across the British Isles. O’Leary is Irish born and brought his early influences from the sessions of Dublin to NYC’s flourishing music scene.
Runa
Originating in Pennsylvania, where thousands of Irish immigrated in the 19th century to work in the coal mines, Runa bring a touch of jazz to their kit bag of Irish and Scottish influences and do some on-stage step-dancing in tune to the bodhrán beat. Their newest album, The Tide of Winter, is available on Spotify.
View the full Irish Fest lineup, which features more than 50 entertainment acts, and get tickets to the 40th festival at irishfest.com.
