michael mcgoldrick

ARC is a rich, varied and essential release for anyone who likes traditional music with plenty of thoroughly contemporary reference points and bright tunes that reveal more layers with repeated listening. A superlative work that sounds quite unlike anything else you’ll hear any time soon.

Michael McGoldrick releases ARC, his new solo album, next month, his fifth in 22 years. We caught up with Mike in Manchester to chat about his new album, his championing of future generations of Irish traditional music players and to find out how he manages to balance his busy time as a musician.

Ahead of its release on 26th January, listen in full to Kyle Carey’s new album ‘The Art of Forgetting’. Produced by Dirk Powell and featuring Sam Broussard, John McCusker, Ron Janssen, Kai Welch, Mike McGoldrick and Rhiannon Giddens.

The Wishing Tree is, believe it or not, the first studio recording by the redoubtable trio of John Doyle, John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick. An exceptional album that has to be a front-runner for album of the year.

The Seven Suns is replete with the wisdom wrought in a time when humanity existed in tune with nature, rather than in dominion over it. There are legends, ideas and timeless rituals to explore – from the venerable grandeur of stone monuments to the intricate, spellbinding symmetry of a snowflake…above all, though, there is enthralling music.

The third London Folk & Roots Festival kixks off this month with acts such as Newton Faulkner, Jon Boden, Mick Flannery, Sarah Jarosz, Tony Joe White, Eliza Carthy, Michael McGoldrick, Maz O’Connor and many more. Listen to our spotify playlist preview.

Watch the latest video from John McSherry for The Atlantean, a track from his new concept album The Seven Suns. A musical journey into the heart of ancient Ireland, richly inlaid with elements both personal and national, mundane and mythical.

One of the highlights of this year’s FolkEast Festival was Ushers Island whose lineup reads like an Irish traditional music hall of fame: Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, Michael McGoldrick and John Doyle.

Hello, Goodbye sees John McCusker in what’s sure to be a very welcome return to solo projects. Joined by a host of friends this is bound to please fans and traditional folk music lovers.

Our Tune of the Day comes from John McCusker who will be awarded the Good Tradition Award at this year’s BBC Folk Awards. The tune is from his forthcoming album ‘Hello Goodbye.

This was an immense show, great performances by all, but it will inevitably now stick in the memory of all present for Rhiannon Giddens’ stunning performance who brought the house down with the perfect combination of soulful vocal and explosive delivery.

Birmingham’s traditional Irish music festival returns with their best lineup promising to be bigger, better and brighter than 2014. Including Damien O’Kane, Mary Bergin, Michael McGoldrick, Dezi Donnelly, Jim Murray & John Joe Kelly, Máirtín O’Connor Trio & more!