Beoga
- Website
- www.beogamusic.com
- Myspace
- www.myspace.com/beoga
- Presspack Download
- Download presspack containing hi-res images and latest biography
- Booking Period
- July / Aug / Feb 09
- Booking Situation
- Concerts/Festivals
Biography
Beoga (Irish word for 'lively’) are a five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim, Ireland. The band was drawn together after 'jamming’ in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in August 2002. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, Beoga were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the best traditional newcomer’s award. With the addition of one of Ireland’s premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga have confirmed their reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years.
The band released their debut album 'a lovely madness' in September 2004, to critical and popular acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America. Describing Beoga as a 'phenomenon’ and their music as 'madcap genius’, Irish music magazine predicted they would make a big mark on the Irish music scene.
The bedrock of Beoga’s music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, the debut album 'a lovely madness' earned 9/10 in Ireland’s Hot Press magazine and was one of the Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year.
The group’s 2007 release Mischief’ has also received excellent reviews across the board, including a staggering 9.5/10 rating from Hot Press. The album is tipped by Irish Music Magazine as a contender for the 2007 album of the year. The Chicago American Times says proclaims “This is a major major band to be reckoned with… super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm, with a real sense of style and wit” The Irish Echo labels Beoga “perhaps the most audacious band rooted in trad today” ranking them with Grada, as the two most promising bands launched in the new millennium.
Over the last couple of years Beoga have peformed at many major Celtic and Folk festivals throughout Europe and the USA, including the All-Ireland and World Irish music Fleadhs, Boston, Kansas and Milwaukee Irish Festivals, the Guinness Irish Christmas tour of Austria, the Irish Folk Festival tour of Germany along with Solas and Kevin Burke, and the Irish Unplugged Tour of Holland with the Fureys and Davey Arthur. In September 2007, they performed live with the BBC Orchestra to a television audience of millions as part of the prestigious 'Last night of the Proms’. Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish, as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality.
Reviews
"'Madcap genius! Beoga's music has the authority of master craftsmen; unafraid to take chances and walk on traditional music's wild side. They are injecting raw adrenaline into the tradition. In Niamh Dunne they have a formidable vocal talent"
IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE
"A stunning band. Super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major, major band to be reckoned with…. Power and nuance, humor, talent aplenty. Get ready for a long run for Beoga."
CHICAGO IRISH-AMERICAN NEWS
"...a heady, virtually head-spinning sonic blend stamping Beoga as perhaps the most audacious Irish band rooted in trad today. Among Irish bands launched in this new millennium, Beoga joins Grada as two of the most promising to watch."
THE IRISH ECHO
"Individually talented and collectively inspired, this is a quartet who speaks a language called music with a fluency beloved of the best multi-linguists."
THE IRISH TIMES