Florence Arts Centre continues its commitment to live folk music with a live show by Birlinn Jiarg

  Live music at Florence Arts Centre continues with folk fourpiece Birlinn Jiarg and local support from D’ Bleedin’ Blaggards

Thursday 27 October: After recent gigs form the likes of Stooshie and Egremont’s own Frank Bowe, the Florence folk nights continue with a welcome appearance by Birlinn Jiarg. This fourpiece hail form the Isle of Man and are currently touring the UK with songs for their debut album, Seamountm, which is due for release this November.

With a traditional Manx heritage, blending influences from Irish, Scottish and Manx folk with contemporary songwriting Birlinn Jiarg are unexpectedly different. Initially brought together by multi-instrumentalist Beccy Hurst to perform the traditional Manx music she grew up with as well as her own compositions, the group have matured to create their own sound at the center of which is the combination of Beccy’s whistle and concertina playing and the clarinet and flute of Freya Rae (Tom Kitching Band). The unusual combination of low whistle and clarinet was what originally inspired the band’s formation and sets Birlinn Jiarg’s sound apart from more traditional line-ups.

Having performed in a duo with Beccy for a few years, Scottish guitarist and bouzouki player Alasdair Paul (Pons Aelius, Kimber/Paul) was a natural choice to join the band and completing the quartet’s line-up is bodhránist Callum Younger (Pons Aelius, Trio FCT). Callum and Alasdair have worked together on a variety of projects and their inventive and powerful accompaniment provides a great platform for Beccy’s and Freya’s melodic interplay.

Florence’s support for local musicians continues with a support slot for the ever-popular Irish folksters D’ Bleedin’ Blaggards, who will be kicking off the evening in fine style – so get ready for a brilliant night of folk, fiddles and foot-stomping!

Tickets cost £10, available from www.florenceartscentre.com or 01946 824946