Whelan’s Trad & Folk Festival presents
plus support
Whelan’s Main Venue • Sun 13th August 2023
A highlight on the traditional Irish music scene from 2001 – 2011, trad group Gráda are reuniting this summer to play two shows in Dublin and Galway.
With members from both Ireland and New Zealand, Gráda spent much of their time touring internationally, performing in over 1000 cities in 30 countries over the course of a decade. Highlights included concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Royal Glasgow Concert Hall, Ireland’s National Concert Hall and headline performances at multiple European and American folk festivals. Through their US Label Compass Records, the band sold over 50,000 albums.
In 2011, Gráda disbanded to work on individual projects. This saw the members involved in various ventures including musical groups The Whileaways and ALDOC, solo albums, parts in RTE TV series, publishing books and directing and programming festivals. The band reformed in 2020 to play a one-off concert in New Zealand. Buoyed by the response to this, Gráda are organising two shows in Ireland in August, followed by a two-week tour of New Zealand.
Gráda’s sound is rooted in trad, while drawing influences from folk, jazz, world music and Americana. The band’s live shows exude energy, with an improvisation element that made them unique within the trad music world. The repertoire is seeded with original songs and instrumentals that have captured the imaginations of audiences all around the world.
QUOTES
“Gráda is to Irish music what Arcade Fire is to Indie – informal, prodigious and full of spirit” – The Washington Post.
“Ensemble playing with a vengeance” – The Irish Times
“If this talented quintet appears anywhere within 100 miles of you, hi’ thee hence!” – Sing out Magazine
“Grada have received a raft of awards and reviews that have propelled them into the elite circle of Irish supergroups. They have taken Irish traditional music forward to a new level, effortlessly blending contemporary music styles, modern songs and other forms of ethnic music into their own natural style” – Womex
CHARTS AND CRITICAL RECEPTION
Gráda’s most recent album Natural Angle was voted as one of the top folk albums in the USA by NPR / Folk Alley and the IMA music awards. Their previous album, Cloudy Day Navigation appeared multiple times in Irish Music’s Top 10 charts. Gráda has received glowing reviews from Irish Music Magazine, Sing Out!, The Washington Post, The Irish Times, The Evening Herald (Ireland) and the Event Guide (Dublin), and more.
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp
€23.50 available online from Whelan’s – 50c per ticket service charge applies.
Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.
GRÁDA
plus support
Whelan’s Main Venue • Sun 13th August 2023
A highlight on the traditional Irish music scene from 2001 – 2011, trad group Gráda are reuniting this summer to play two shows in Dublin and Galway.
With members from both Ireland and New Zealand, Gráda spent much of their time touring internationally, performing in over 1000 cities in 30 countries over the course of a decade. Highlights included concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Royal Glasgow Concert Hall, Ireland’s National Concert Hall and headline performances at multiple European and American folk festivals. Through their US Label Compass Records, the band sold over 50,000 albums.
In 2011, Gráda disbanded to work on individual projects. This saw the members involved in various ventures including musical groups The Whileaways and ALDOC, solo albums, parts in RTE TV series, publishing books and directing and programming festivals. The band reformed in 2020 to play a one-off concert in New Zealand. Buoyed by the response to this, Gráda are organising two shows in Ireland in August, followed by a two-week tour of New Zealand.
Gráda’s sound is rooted in trad, while drawing influences from folk, jazz, world music and Americana. The band’s live shows exude energy, with an improvisation element that made them unique within the trad music world. The repertoire is seeded with original songs and instrumentals that have captured the imaginations of audiences all around the world.
QUOTES
“Gráda is to Irish music what Arcade Fire is to Indie – informal, prodigious and full of spirit” – The Washington Post.
“Ensemble playing with a vengeance” – The Irish Times
“If this talented quintet appears anywhere within 100 miles of you, hi’ thee hence!” – Sing out Magazine
“Grada have received a raft of awards and reviews that have propelled them into the elite circle of Irish supergroups. They have taken Irish traditional music forward to a new level, effortlessly blending contemporary music styles, modern songs and other forms of ethnic music into their own natural style” – Womex
CHARTS AND CRITICAL RECEPTION
Gráda’s most recent album Natural Angle was voted as one of the top folk albums in the USA by NPR / Folk Alley and the IMA music awards. Their previous album, Cloudy Day Navigation appeared multiple times in Irish Music’s Top 10 charts. Gráda has received glowing reviews from Irish Music Magazine, Sing Out!, The Washington Post, The Irish Times, The Evening Herald (Ireland) and the Event Guide (Dublin), and more.
CONNECT
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp
TICKETS
€23.50 available online from Whelan’s – 50c per ticket service charge applies.
Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.