Given that most if not all international touring acts are unable to travel to the states as of yet, we are working with national, regional, local and visiting artists to devise a line-up that provides the high-level talent that you have become accustomed to seeing at the Indy Irish Fest.
Performers we are working with for performances this year:
Drowsy Lads
The Drowsy Lads thundered onto the Irish music scene in the US over 15 years ago and their fire and comradery has won over both casual music-lovers and those steeped in hardcore Trad. 2018 brought the release of their 4th album, Everyone In, and the distinction of “Best Irish American Band of 2018”. With an undeniable genuineness that flows from their live performances, the future continues to look bright for these Lads. Boasting 5 multi-instrumentalists, Ohio brothers John and Daniel McKewen, father and son Phil and Josh Franck, and lifelong friend Bryan Brookes bring to the stage a concoction of “we dare you to hold still” Irish dance tunes and songs that have packed festivals, theaters, pubs, and halls everywhere they’ve played.
Sousa and Agee
Adam Agee & Jon Sousa began playing together in Boulder, Colorado in 2005. Moving to Ireland in 2008 to further immerse themselves in the music, land, and culture, they lived in Ennis, County Clare, taking part in the vibrant session community there. Moving back to Boulder in 2009, they continued to hone their sound as a duo. They now tour in the United States and internationally. As educators, Adam & Jon teach Irish tunes and technique at music camps, festivals and international schools across the world.
Dave Curley and Colin Farrell
Dave Curley and Colin Farrell combine to give an energetic and dynamic performance featuring their own compositions and old favourites. Curley and Farrell have been performing in the US and Europe with a number of bands such as SLIDE, Lúnasa, One for the Foxes and the A.D. Band, and are amongst the most sought after collaborators and performers in Irish Music.
They began performing as a duo in June 2020 as part of a residency at Raglan Road in Orlando, Florida. Farrell is a prolific composer of tunes and has composed over 380 new tunes in 2020 as part of his tune-a-day challenge. This show combines rip-roaring tunes along with vocals that will draw you in.
Ashley Davis Band
From Lawrence Kansas. Think Joni Mitchell meets contemporary Celtic and you’ll get something like the creative force of Ashley Davis, an American singer-songwriter whose voice drifts over the Great Plains, north to New York City, and across the Atlantic. While this mash-up may classify her work, Davis’s unique ability to capture and cross musical traditions ultimately transcends comparison.
Ashley’s soft-spoken music conjures a genre and world all of its own. Good Morning America, for instance, describes the Ashley Davis Band as “new music springing from ancient roots.” A culmination of the many influences that have inspired her over the years, Davis’s songwriting has captivated audiences on either side of the Atlantic—has invited them, instinctively, to dream. Ashley has excelled in Celtic folk, Americana, and even electronic, proving she can turn any musical style into a spellbinding story. Ashley is joined by Colin Ferrall (Lunasa), David Curley (Slide), and Will MacMorran (The Chieftains).
Pappy with a Hatchet
Pappy with a Hatchet is an acoustic Irish-American band based out of St. Louis, MO. Featuring four regular house musicians from world-renowned Irish music bar John D. McGurk’s in St. Louis, Pappy presents a creative approach to playing traditional Irish music that incorporates a variety of influences from jazz, bluegrass, and other American musical traditions. Members are Kevin Buckley on fiddle, guitar and vocals; Ian Walsh on fiddle, mandolin and vocals; Alan Murray on guitar, bouzouki and vocals; and Dan Lowery on flute, guitar, and vocals.
The Fighting Jamesons
The Fighting Jamesons deliver a traditional style of music with an aggressive and energetic modern-day approach.
Forming in 2010, The Fighting Jamesons quickly gained a strong presence on the East Coast. They’ve shared the stage with legendary Irish rock acts such as Dropkick Murphys, The Saw Doctors, and Young Dubliners.
In 2011 the band released their self-titled debut album, followed by their 2014 sophomore album Every Day Above Ground both produced and engineered by Capital Records recording artist Mark Padgett.
Irish Airs
Katherine Nagy
The Rogues Pipe Band
Richens Timm Academy of Irish Dance
Indianapolis Ceili Band
Laughing Jack
Check back later for more information.