Who are these guys?
Well individually they are Jamie MacDonald (fiddle), Nicky Kirk (guitar), Kaitlin Ross (vocals), Megan MacDonald (accordion) and Hamish Hepburn (pipes, whistle, flute). Together they form Eabhal. Winner of Hands Up For Trad’s ‘Battle of the Folk Bands’ 2018.
Eabhal mix energetic tune sets (both traditional and self penned) with soulful songs (in Gaelic and English). They draw influence from their native lands (Tiree, Northumberland, Ross-shire, Sutherland and Cairngorm respectively) and from further afield to meld a sound of real virtuosity, homage and excitement.
Why bring them to Colonsay?
Eabhal are one of the most talked about bands to emerge over the last year and we want you to see why. Up close and personal in our wee hall. Their mix of backgrounds and influences produce a vibrant, uplifting sound, while Kaitlin’s stunning Gaelic vocals are sure to stir the soul.
Their debut album “This Is How The Ladies Dance’ is a delight. Long listed for Album of the Year at The Trads and winning praise from critics all over the land. Check out their Bandcamp page for a wee listen.
These guys will bring a real youthful energy to proceedings and are sure to be found still going strong into the wee small hours. We’ve been keen to have them ever since ‘the new team’ took the festival reins, but it just never worked out. This year we are delighted that it finally has. Eabhal will be worth the wait.
When can I see them?
Good question! One to which we can’t answer with any certainty at present. However the guys will be here from Friday until Sunday and will be playing at least one show in that time.
How do I get to see them?
By purchasing a ticket of course! Festival passes for Ceòl Cholasa 2020 are £100 and gains you entry to all the concerts in the hall, the stomping late night Ceòl Ceilidh and the workshops. It also entitles you to a seat at hotel gigs (though this is strictly first come, first served).
Remember, Ceòl Cholasa is a limited, bijou event. It’s best to purchase your ticket as soon as possible as then you can rest assured that you will be one of a maximum of only 250 people attending the best wee music festival in the west!