Armagh has long been celebrated for its association with cultural heritage and the traditional arts.
The city and county have spawned many musicians, poets, painters and writers who have taken their place in the pantheon of artists with a reputation on the international stage. One such local artist is Brian Finnegan, a founding member of the renowned and highly acclaimed band Flook.
Flook is an Anglo-Irish band playing traditional-style instrumental music, much of it penned by the band themselves. Their music is typified by extremely fast, sometimes percussive, flute and whistle atop complex guitar and bodhrán rhythms. Flook is made up of Brian Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Ed Boyd and John Joe Kelly.
The band will play in the enchanting setting of ‘Amharclann na nDaoine’ [The People’s Theatre], Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha on Wednesday September 20, 2023.
Taking inspiration from their roots in the Irish and English traditions, Flook have an enviable trademark sound, weaving and spinning traditionally rooted tunes over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination. There is certainly no shortage of virtuosity amongst the members of Flook, but the unique impact of this band stems from the wholly intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, frets and skins.
Their most recent album ‘Ancora’, released in 2019 to critical acclaim and nominated for BBC Folk Album of the year, clearly demonstrates that, with their roots firmly anchored in the tradition, Flook still hold fast to their reputation as major musical innovators.
Flook were shortlisted for Best Folk Group in Ireland’s RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards 2019. ‘Ancora’ was nominated as Best Album in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2019.
Band:
Brian Finnegan – whistles and flutes
Sarah Allen – flutes and accordion
Ed Boyd – guitar
John Joe Kelly – bodhrán
Reviews:
“As vital as ever … class in indeed permanent” fRoots
“Virtuoso playing abounds … the most creative bodhran player on the planet … superb technique plus a genuine feel and some stonking tunes is a powerful recipe” – MOJO
“Flook are back with a bang, and better than ever – a very welcome return from one of folk’s finest bands” – Irish Music Magazine
“Iconic, ground-breaking, progressive and all-round brilliant” – Lynette Fay, BBC Radio Ulster
“Four brilliant musicians. Four times as much brilliant music” – Time Outvv
Aonach Mhacha
Wednesday September 20, 2023
Doors Open: 7.30pm | Show starts: 8pm
Tickets £20.00
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