Looking for the latest action from the Irish folk and trad scene? Well, you could do a lot worse than head along to Whelan's on Saturday August 31st for the semi finals of the first ever Spirit of Folk Awards.
The awards - held in conjunction with the Spirit of Folk festival - are a celebration of the finest folk and trad acts in the country, with over 100 bands applying for consideration. That list has been whittled down to nine and we'll learn more at Whelan's when the semi-finals get underway.
The nine-semi finalists have been confirmed as: Moxie, Miriam Donohue, Mossy Nolan & Colm McGowan, My Fellow Sponges, Garr Cleary, Laura Ann Brady, The Cujo Family Vickers Vinny and A Band Called Wanda.
"Participating in the Spirit of Folk Talent search has been a real pleasure and has provided further proof to me that there is a very healthy and thriving community of music makers and creative artists out there. This SOFF initiative provides a great platform for these artists", said Carl Corcoran of RTE Lyric FM’s Blue of the Night, one of four tasked with judging the awards.
By the end of the night, 3 acts will be chosen to go forward to the Final, which takes place as part of the Spirit of Folk Festival on September 21st, in the stunning Dunderry Park.
Tickets for the Semi finals at Whelan’s are €10, Tickets for the Spirit of Folk Festival at Dunderry Park are €50 and include a three course meal.
