Pronoter EP Musician, singer, songwriter, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner at the inaugural RTÉ Folk Awards, Andy has had an amazing musical career over the past 50 years. At the helm of legendary bands like Sweeney’s Men in the mid 60s, to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, and then Patrick Street, Mozaik, LAPD and recently Usher’s Island, Andy is both a world music pioneer and an icon for traditional music and musicians. Andy is one of the great Irish singers, his voice one of a handful of truly great ones that gets to the very soul of Ireland. He has been hailed as “a tradition in himself”. Musician, singer, songwriter, Andy has maintained his highly individual performing skills throughout his over 50-year career. As a soloist, Andy fills the role of the archetypal troubadour with a show and a travelling lifestyle that reflect his lifelong influence, Woody Guthrie. To quote the Irish Times, “Often copied, never equalled”, his repertoire consists of Irish traditional songs, dexterous Balkan dance tunes and a compelling cannon of his own self-penned songs.

Everyone’s favourite folk rock band return to the Music Room for their annual show of singing, dancing and roof-raising. Merry Hell is a band founded on the ever evolving folk tradition – music made by the people and shared by the people. Though their hearts and souls are tuned to the songs which came before them, they bring new words and music forged from their own experiences, from the lows and the loves of their lives. Their art is energy and their hope is unity.

Though they grew up half a world apart, multi-award-winning songwriters Catherine MacLellan (Prince Edward Island, Canada) and Lucy Farrell (Kent, England) connect through the quiet brilliance of their songcraft and the warm clarity of their delivery. Suspending time with their musical storytelling, Catherine and Lucy's songs journal the characters, landscapes and situations that populate their lives and the broader world, unravelling and reweaving the threads of history and tradition with the deftness and surety that has made such notable touring and recording artists, collaborators and festival stage guests.

Driven by awe and wonder of the natural world lona Lane delivers poetic songs, with subtle musical touches and contemplative melodies that link unheard stories with the world we find ourselves in today.

Holly Carter is a singer-songwriter and multi-award-winning instrumentalist who won the Instrumentalist of the Year at the UK Americana Awards in 2023 and 2024. She has established a reputation as a leading fingerstyle guitarist and is one of the UK's very few professional female pedal steel players. Drawing inspiration from a varied musical upbringing, her musicality entwines aspects of folk, roots and Americana to create a mix that echoes everything from the likes of Gillian Welch to Chet Atkins. Harnessing an approach to music as a powerful tool for education and change, her songs weave joyously catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics that pay homage to a diverse collection of musical and personal heroes.

A young traditional singer from Dublin with one of the most powerful voices we have heard. Yet he can and does deliver songs with great sensitivity and passion. He is not well known in the UK but is a familiar face in Dublin singing circles. He released his first album last autumn.

Son and grandson of Tom Paley, well known on the London scene and a great figure of the American folk revival. Isaac will be playing Tom's banjo so he will be there in spirit! Ben's musicianship and versatility was borne of several different musical influences as he grew up and he largely plays American traditional music on fiddle. They also sing together.

Cecil Sharp House Choir has become known for its spirited and moving renditions of traditional songs. The Choir concentrates on singing a capella folk and traditional songs from Britain and beyond. It is directed by Ben See while Rose Martin is on maternity leave. We will have as many of them as we can fit on stage and it will be very special! Inspirational voices singing traditional song together. The choir is acapella but we will have small groups of performers from the choir in the first half and that may well include instruments. There will definitely be chorus to join in with! Watch this space for more details as plans unfold.