Flook performing at this year's TradFestival!
30 Jun 23
by Charlie McAdam
We are excited to welcome Flook to this year's Traditional Music & Dance festival! They offer precise acoustic grooves with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.
Due to overwhelming popular demand, Flook are back on the scene! After a recording hiatus of 14 years, they released their new album ‘Ancora’ in April 2019 to critical acclaim and it was nominated for BBC Folk Album of the year. Flook with their roots firmly anchored in the tradition, still hold fast to their reputation as major musical innovators. With the flutes and whistles of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly, this iconic band weaves and spins traditionally rooted tunes into an enthralling sound – with agile but tight rhythms and virtuoso improvisation.
Formed over 25 years ago by four friends, Flook burst onto the international music scene with their debut studio album, ‘Flatfish’. The band had a remarkably successful performing and recording career – the sheer enjoyment of playing together shone through their albums. But it was their live performances that really captured the hearts of those who watched and listened. The rapport between these four musicians and the sheer enjoyment they developed in playing together, was commented on by audiences and critics alike. Having won Best Band at BBC Folk Awards 2006, Flook took a break in 2008, but they didn’t stay silent for long, and the last 4 years has seen them continuing to play occasional live shows, including short tours of Japan, Ireland and Germany, as well as festival shows.
“nothing short of transcendent… No other band sound like Flook and the new material has pushed them to new, exhilarating heights.” Songlines, June 2019
“Four brilliant musicians. Four times as much brilliant music” Time Out
“Sheer musical magic…Stunning technique, impossibly agile rhythm work and virtuoso flights of jazzy improvisation add up to one of the most enthralling sounds around.” The Scotsman
“Multi-layered, rhythmically sophisticated and meltingly beautiful.” Glasgow Sunday Herald
“In the pantheon of Irish/English folk groups they don’t come much more revered than Flook.” The Irish Post
Trad Music Trust and everyone involved with this year’s Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival are incredibly honored to have Flook perform for our festival!
Flook's Website