Who are these guys?
Old Bind Dogs are nearing legendary status in the Scots trad world. They started in 1992 and haven’t stopped since, collecting countless awards and accolades along the way. Highlights among which include:
Folk Band of the Year at the 2004 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards
Folk Band of the Year at the 2007 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards
Their 2007 release ‘Four On The Floor’ picked up the IAP ‘Best Celtic CD’ Award and ‘Wherever Yet May Be’, released in 2010 was nominated for the same award.
And more than 25 years on, ‘The Dogs’ just keep on innovating . Their latest CD, ‘Room With A View’ was shortlisted for Album of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in 2017.
You can’t have a supergroup without super musicians and OBD have 4 of the very best. The line-up has changed over the years, but founding member Jonny Hardie (fiddle, guitar and vocals) is now joined by Aaron Jones (bouzouki, guitar, vocals), Ali Hutton (pipes, whistles, vocals) and Donald Hay (drums, percussion). These are top tunesmiths in very high demand. The acts with which they have each played is so extensive and so impressive it would be impossible to list here. But for a taster we’re talking Sting, Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, Capercaillie, Dougie MacLean, Treacherous Orchestra and some Aussie lass called Kylie Minogue.
They combine to play with, what the Scotsman called, “a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm”. They went on to say that “players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion.”…
Why bring them to Colonsay?
A wild ecstasy of emotion sir? Why, yes. Don’t mind if I do.
That sounds right up our folky street. These guys are sure to entertain with their own trademark style and a seriously energetic mix of songs and tunes. Dynamic percussion, polished vocals, soaring fiddle and stirring pipes fuel melodies and fill the soul.
They also possess one other key ingredient of a great Ceòl Cholasa act, namely excellent craic. These four know how to work a crowd and are sure to have you roaring with laughter before getting you up off your feet and dancing in the aisles.
A perfect fit for Ceòl Cholasa then. Bring it on…
When can I see them?
This is important. So listen up. Old Blind Dogs will be playing on THURSDAY night, and Thursday night only! You do not want to miss this gig. So make sure you’re here for the full weekend (see our Getting Here page for details).
How do I get to see them?
By purchasing a ticket of course! Festival passes for Ceòl Cholasa 2020 are £100, but an early bird discount of £20 is applied to all tickets purchased before the 29th February. Click on the tickets page to see all the options. The full weekend pass 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!