Stunning range of voices to grace Eden Court at Blas 2013

28th August 2013

Forget Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue as Blas 2013 offers its own version of The Voice, or "An Guth" as part of the festival which begins on 6 September.

One of the most exciting combinations of voices ever assembled for a Blas festival will be one of the highlights of this year’s series of events, with high demand expected for tickets. The mid-week performance of “An Guth” or The Voice, where the focus is on the musical quality of performers’ vocal talents rather than any instruments they may bring to the party, will take the stage at the Empire Theatre at Eden Court in Inverness on Thursday 12 September.

Amongst the voices being brought together this year are not only some of Scotland and Ireland’s leading singers and musicians but the distinctive delivery of Skye’s very own bardic legend Aonghas MacNeacail.

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is an Irish fiddler and the lead vocalist for the Irish traditional band Altan, which she co-founded with her late husband Frankie Kennedy in 1985. After 24 years with Altan, Mairéad released her first solo album Imeall, in 2009, and she was part of the Irish supergroup T with the Maggies, who released an album in 2010.
Today, Mairéad is recognised as the leading exponent in the Donegal fiddle style, and she is often considered as one of the foremost singers in Gaelige, the Irish language. She will be accompanied by Manus Lunny, who is probably best known for his work as a member of supergroup Capercaillie. Lunny's work includes 'Imeall', Mairéad’s album.

Acclaimed Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes from South Uist, who recently launched her latest CD “Cille Bhrìde” and lists the soundtrack to the Ridley Scott film Robin Hood in her portfolio of successes, will be leading the Scottish contingent along with Ross Martin.

One of the newest stars in the Celtic arts firmament Grainne Holland, the Gaelic Singer from Belfast who recently released her debut album 'Teanga na nGael', where a critic said “her voice soars and swoops and glides like a swallow in the divine Irish summer sky,” will make her debut (CEART?) at Blas along with her band Donald O'Connor, Tony Byrne and John McSherry.

Also bringing their divine talents to the Empire’s stage will be the renowned Inverness Gaelic Choir under the leadership of Musical Director Mary Ann Kennedy and they will be performing with Skye poet Aonghas MacNeacail who will bring his own mellifluous tones to bear on the proceedings.

Blas Festival Director, Donna Macrae, said: "Long before Sir Tom and the others took to our screens with the BBC programme "The Voice", Blas has been promoting event that feature the unique voices of some of our best Scottish, Canadian and Irish singers. We are delighted with the line-up we have this year for "An Guth" and this really is one of the highlights of the Blas programme. Some of the artists appearing will also be going on to the performances across the Highlands so, even if folk cannot get to Inverness, there will be opportunities to hear them."

For more information about Blas Music Festival see
www.blas-festival.com/