This kinda got buried yesterday under the birthday wishes and I really want some dialog on this so I'm moving it back up here. Let me know what you think. What are the musical boundaries that an event called an "Irish Fest" should establish, if any. For example, one of our colleagues in Boston had Nancy Griffith and The Roches and at his festival. Both have strong Irish ties. Is that enough? Read on and give me your thoughts.
The Celtic Colours International Festival which we attended during the festival directors conference, while showcasing internationally known performers like the Chieftains and Dougie MacLean, has as its primary focus the Celtic infused music of the Eastern Canadian maritime provinces. It's the music of the Scottish, Acadian and Irish immigrants who settle there over the centuries and brought their musical traditions with them. The influence of the Scots and the Acadians is particularly strong. It seems everybody up there is a MacSomethingorother or bears a French surname.
Which brought up a much discussed topic among the conference delegates. Should an event billing itself as an "Irish Fest" book a performer like the fantastic fiddler we saw named Dominique DuPuis? Or J.P. Cormier? Or for that matter Troy MacGillivray? I mean, that's not Irish music. Does it belong at Irish Fest?
Let me put it to you like this, and see what you think. Do you belong at Irish Fest? If you're a typical American, chances are better than good that the blood a few other cultures flows through your veins. Even if you're right off the boat. All the people on the island of Ireland came from somewhere. Spanish and French names are common up and down the West coast. Common Irisher than Irish surnames such as Fitzgerald and Fitzpatrick are in fact Norman names, brought to Ireland from France.
Perhaps not a perfect analogy, but my point is that the music we heard in Canada, like the Irish people themselves and the Irish diaspora world wide is an amalgam, a blending, a hybrid. Is it strictly "Irish"? No. Will you hear it at Irish Fest. We sure hope so. Will you enjoy it? Guaranteed. I promise when you hear a band like Les Girls, with fiddle and bodhran and accordion, your Irish feet will move, your Irish hands will clap and you won't care that these Acadian musicians are singing their harmonies in French. We're all connected and no more so than through Celtic music.
My opinion of course. You may disagree and I'd be interested to hear your views if you do. Vive le difference!
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13 comments:
Sounds Celtic. Tastes Celtic. Feels Celtic.
Hmmm... Must be Celtic.
Bring it on!!!
Cami
The Irish left Ireland and settled the world over bringing their heritage with them. The results can be see all over the world: America, Canada, Mexico, Australia to name a few. It is this blending of cultures that makes us strong.
So I would like to have a chance to see Dominique DuPuis and JP Cormier at the KCIF.
Yes it does belong here!
Barbara
I'm not just a fan of Celtic music, but of GOOD music; however the Fest IS an Irish Fest and to turn too far away from your purpose would not be a good thing.
However, as long as the overwhelming majority of acts are very Celtic, an act or two per year of the sort that can't totally be labeled Celtic but could be described as "Celtic-influenced" are fine.
I've seen Richard Thompson on the bill for a Celtic Fest...and I would label him as more "English Folk" but he's on my short list of "I haven't seen these acts yet, but I JUST GOTTA." So if you had him on your list, I wouldn't object at all.....
How about Irish bands that don't play Irish/Celtic music at all. The Thrills, The Corrs, etc...
How much "Celtic" rock do they schedule up that way?
We saw one band that might fit that category.
The Fest should remain Irish-focused. The emphasis should be on booking Irish music and/or Irish bands. IMO
Seems to me, mostly the question is, what is "Irish" music?
And musical boundaries aren't as distinct as geographic or political boundaries. I do agree agree with the idea that, well, to put it in my own words, that there's a grey zone, where you can book some acts without loosing the Irishness of the event, but if you book too many, then you do loose the Irishness.
Or, maybe that's too simplistic. Like, picture a circle. You don't want to many outliers from one part of the circle, but outliers from different parts of the circle, in addition to acts in the center, gives a nice balance.
HUH?
Yeah, I didn't really follow that either.
Ellen's been smoking again.
she had me up until that last paragraph.
I don't think The Thrills or The Corrs would fit. But if you're going to start letting bands like that in we should have Ash. ;) I really think every band at the Fest should have some roots in Celtic or Irish Folk music. As for the Irish vs. Scottish thing...I think the ratio of Highland pipes and kilts matters. If the band has more than one Highland pipe player or more than one person in a kilt they get the boot! Darn that means we can't have the Red Hot Chilli Pipers... ;)
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