Beoga take to the stage with Ed Sheeran at Glastonbury!
Beoga take to the stage with Ed Sheeran at Glastonbury!
You’d think that after playing to over 150,000 people on the main stage at Glastonbury with Ed Sheeran, Beoga would be having a long lie-in this morning, but that’s not how they roll! In fact, it’s straight back to the studio for this hard working trad band from Antrim.
Beoga (Irish for ‘lively’) has been in existence for fifteen years, and in that time they’ve produced five critically acclaimed albums, were shortlisted for a Grammy, performed with the BBC Orchestra, and been presented with certificate of Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives. However their recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran has brought them to another level and a new audience.
Beoga co-wrote Sheeran’s massive hit ‘Galway Girl’, and they were featured on another track on his album Divide, ‘Nancy Mulligan’. This golden opportunity opened the door for them to collaborate with world renowned producers and musicians, and they are currently writing an album with Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol and Foy Vance. Band member Eamon Murray says, ‘There will be features from household names that will surprise a few and challenge the perceptions of Irish music.’
Challenging perceptions is something that the band are very familiar with. Although Beoga’s sound is firmly rooted in the Irish traditional genre, they enjoy incorporating other elements, from bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, and even a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe. The result has lead to accolades and awards, and caused The Wall Street Journal to refer to them as, ‘the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century.’
Their performance at Glastonbury is the first in a long list of festival appearances this summer, and they have just confirmed a gig in the National Concert Hall on 4th of October before they head off on a tour of Germany. Beoga will be announcing a release date for their album later this year. Keep an eye on their website for updates.
Beoga’s Irish dates include;
Sun 23 July Special Guest to Passenger at The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
Sun 6 August Indiependence Festival, Cork
Sat 19 August Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Ennis, Clare
Wed 4 October National Concert Hall, Dublin
For a full list of their international dates check out ; www.beogamusic.com