Billow Wood return to Ballina for Fleadh gig
Pictured, from left, are Billow Wood members Andy Dempsey, Emily Donoghue, Harry Lawlor, Aodán Cronin and Mark O’Donnell.
International audiences have been savouring the music of Billow Wood regularly over the past few years, but now that pleasure is to come to the people of North Mayo when the Ballina-based band plays a show in their hometown next month. Billow Wood has been active on the music scene at a national and international level for eight years, performing Irish and folk music that is fused with mainstream influences.
The quartet has taken the Irish cultural legacy to a new level of skill and energy, and to a wide audience, with a distinctive sound that is textured with delightful vocal harmonies and layers of instrumental virtuosity.
The group’s delightful arrangements of songs and tunes blend together traditional and non-traditional sounds, with both original songs and evergreen favourites among its repertoire of genre-breaking music.
Billow Wood has played extensively across Europe and is a particular favourite with German audiences. Billow Wood also trilled audiences at last year’s Electric Picnic, Ireland’s largest music festival, and performed at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, USA.
Founder members Mark O’Donnell and Harry Lawlor are delighted to be back on home ground and promise that the five-piece band will deliver an outstanding show for their fans.
The band originally came together as Flat Out in the last decade, with talented Irish traditional musicians Brid O’Donnell and Ciara O’Donnell alongside Mark and Harry. Flat Out became Billow Wood in 2017, eventually leading to a number of changes in the group’s line-up.
Today, Billow Wood comprises Mark O'Donnell (vocals/guitar), Harry Lawlor (vocals/harp), Andy Dempsey (vocals/drums), Emily Donoghue (vocals/mandolin) and Aodán Cronin (accordion), and they have been writing at length recently, with plans to yield up further exciting material later this year.
In January, The Showing Roots Music Industry Conference in Killarney provided Billow Wood with an opportunity to showcase in front of a number of music festival organisers from Ireland and abroad.
Billow Wood will perform in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, May 9, during Mayo Fleadh Cheoil.
Tickets cost €15 or €30 for a family of four and can be purchased online now at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling 096-73593, or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
