“The most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.” —Wall Street Journal
“Super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major, major band to be reckoned with.” —The Chicago Irish-American News
“A heady, virtually head-spinning, sonic blend stamping Beoga as perhaps the most audacious Irish band rooted in trad today.” —The Irish Echo
Since forming ten years ago, Beoga has expanded the vocabulary of Irish music with a unique accent all their own, becoming one of the most celebrated Irish bands of the century. To commemorate a decade of musical innovation the band returned home to Ireland for a gala performance featuring material from their 4 critically acclaimed CDs. The resulting live concert DVD/CD project titled Live at 10 showcases the band at its virtuosic best.
Beoga, consisting of the twin dueling accordions of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley, four time All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and vocalist/fiddler Niamh Dunne are joined by special guests from among Irish music’s glitterati including Alan Doherty, Bríd Dunne, Brona Graham, Trevor Hutchinson, Martin O’Neill, Niall Vallely and Clodagh Warnock. Over the course of their 20 song, 93 minute performance, Beoga’s madcap instrumental prowess and gorgeous vocals shine, illustrating why the critics have called them one of the most influential ensembles in modern Irish traditional music. The concert DVD was mixed in 5.1 surround sound and includes over 80 minutes of extras, including highlights from Beoga’s debut concert in 2002 and five behind-the-scenes tour diaries filmed over several years.
Beoga (gaelic for ‘lively’) is based in County Antrim, in Northern Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition, however they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their arrangements. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy Irish sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works—wonderfully well.