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Altan and Cliar head hand and hand into the hills

Altan (C) John Cutliffe 2004One thing I have learned over the years about Altan is this. They don't sit around doing nothing for very long. No sooner have they come back from a flying visit to China but they are setting off for a tour of the Gaeltacht areas of both Ireland and Scotland . This is a double header tour with Scottish band Cliar.

Cliar are a 6 piece band who have been together for over 4 years and have developed what is being described as a fiddle and vocal powerhouse and "one of the most beautiful sounds in 21st Century Scotland ". Their latest CD Gun Tamh won Best Album at the
Scots Trad Music Awards in 2003 but it is in their live performances that the band get the most rave reviews.

Altan too, as many readers of JigTime will know is a formidable force in traditional music and has had a hugely successful career spanning 20 years so far with no signs of letting up.

This is such a wonderful idea with the two countries having such close ties culturally it will give audiences in both a chance to hear how each tradition has evolved. But even those new to the music and experts in each genre will probably agree that the shows will be “great craic” Having said that I know that Altan's end of the tour won't go as well as it should without the presence of their dashingly handsome U.S. based tour manager. (Ok I am just jealous they are off traveling again without me)

The tour is sponsored by Iomairt Cholm Cille/The Columba Initiative and The Scottish Arts Council -Tune Up and is promoted by Farr Traditional Music Concerts.

The list of gigs is as follows

Wednesday 26th May Altan and Cliar
Venue: Strathnairn Hall

Farr, Scotland
Thursday 27th May Altan Cliar
Venue: Southend Hall

South Uist, Scotland
Friday 28th May Altan Cliar
Venue: Aros

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Saturday 29th May Altan and Clair
Venue: Aros Hall

Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Tuesday 1st June Altan Cliar
Venue: Bowmore Hall

Islay, Scotland
Wednesday 2nd June Altan Cliar
Venue: Arainn Shuaineirt

Arnamurchan, Scotland
Wednesday 9th June Altan Cliar
Venue: Culturlann MacAdam O Fiach

Belfast, Ireland
Thursday 10th June Altan Cliar
Venue: Waterside Theatre

Derry, Ireland
Friday 11th June Altan Cliar
Venue: Highlands Hotel

Glenties, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Saturday 12th June Altan Cliar
Venue: Clonbur Hall

Clonbur, Co. Galway
Sunday 13th June Altan Cliar
Venue: An Sean Scoil

Indreabhain, Co Galway, Ireland
Tuesday 15th June Altan Cliar
Venue: An Halla

Cul Aodha, Co. Cork, Ireland

 

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