By Ninah Kellihananui
Irish folk band Lúnasa will be performing in downtown Plattsburgh at the Strand theatre March 9. Their name is derived from Irish and is closely associated with the ancient Celtic festival of the same name. The word itself derives from Lughnasadh, which was a major Gaelic festival marking the beginning of harvest season.
While there is no confirmed setlist, the band will perform their top songs mixed in with some personal compositions. This concert is part of their St. Pattys tour, a popular local holiday. Lúnasa will be performing in a five week US tour across 25 cities and is the first of two tours they do in the year.
Lúnasa debuted in 1997 with the original lineup consisting of Seán Smyth, Kevin Crawford, Trevor Hutchinson, Dónal Lunny, Ed Boyd, John Mcsherry, and Michael McGoldrick. However, due to busy schedules and life changes, the band now has four members: founder, Séan Smyth (fiddle and whistle player), Kevin Crawford (flute, tin whistle, and bodhran), Trevor Hutchinson (double bass), CIllian Valley (Uilleann pipes and low whistle) and Patrick Doocey (guitar).
Throughout the years, the band has toured a few different countries including the Americas, Europe and Asia. They have even produced an album in Japan. Almost all of Lúnasa albums are critically acclaimed and they have performed at some of the most prestigious venues/festivals worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Sydney Opera house.
Lúnasa typically plays a mix of traditional Irish/Celtic music with a few contemporary arrangements mixed in. While the band has included their own compositions, they believe it is important to honor their roots.
“Tradition is to respect what’s gone before us; it feels like my life vocation,” Crawford said.
The band believes it is necessary to share their culture with non-Irish people and celebrate their history.
Crawford believes the band’s message/purpose is quite simple.
“We just want everyone to have fun and escape reality for a few hours,” Crawford said.
The band tries to bring a high-energy set to every performance, including audience favorites: “Morning Nightcap,” “Welcome Home,” “Spoil the Dance,” “Temple Hill” etc.
The band tries to shake things up during their concerts and immerse their audience not only with their music, but by just having fun and playing pranks on each other.
“The guys replaced my flute with a random piece of pipe one night and the whole auditorium was cracking up,” Kevin Crawford said.
Lúnasa typically has two guest performers with them. In March, singer Natalie Merchant, and a Banjo player Tim O’ Brien appeared alongside the band. Although those performers will be leaving the night before their Strand Theatre performance, their American fiddle player, Colin Farrell, will be touring with them the last 10 days. This is due to their founding member Séan Smyth having to return home.
“Séan is a doctor, so he can only perform with the band about 50% of the time,” Crawford said.
Crawford also said the band intends to make this final concert “all about Lúnasa,” since it is the last leg of their tour.
As always, Lúnasa continues to bend the rules of traditional music, stepping outside of their Celtic roots and including traditional pieces from other countries like Scotland, Spain and Canada. This diversity helps to make their performances dynamic and engaging for audiences.
Tickets for the Lúnasa concert are $59 – $105 depending on seating location.
