As worldwide recognition of Manx traditional music continues to grow, local group Barrule will embark on the band’s first tour of North America.
This exciting opportunity arose when the all-male trio played at a showcase festival in Montreal called La Grande Rencontre, after establishing contact with festival organiser, Gilles Garand, at the world music expo WOMEX three years ago.
Members of Barrule performed their powerful sets during two main concerts at the event, but after their first presentation it soon became apparent that they had attracted the attention of scouting agents from both the US and Canada.
This successful meeting secured a series of tours across North America, beginning this month with a demanding schedule of events along the east coast, participating at festivals in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Altamont. After which members of Barrule will be heading for Iqaluit, in Nunavut, one of the northern territories of Canada, located on Baffin Island.
After a brief respite, band members will be heading across the Atlantic again in August for the renowned Milwaukee Irish Festival, before returning for their last visit of the year during the following month, for a further selection of festivals, including the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
All of the festival dates for their forthcoming tours of the US can be found on the band’s website.
Valerie Caine
© June 2016
(Courtesy of Manx Tails)