Damien O’Kane Band at Connaught Theatre in Worthing, perform their brand of “Folk-Pop that is Irish music for the 21st Century” on 26th February 2020.
Damien O’Kane (Vocals, Guitar/Tenor Guitar And Banjo), Steven Byrnes (Guitar/Tenor Guitar), Stevie Iveson (Electric Guitar) & Anthony Davis (Keys/Bass)
2 x nominee at BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, UK.
Originally from Ireland, Damien O’Kane is a musician of many talents. Teamed up with three leading musicians on the circuit, their sound is sublime and exhilarating. Here is a band that takes traditional Irish music and song and, in the words of The Telegraph, turn it into ‘Folk-Pop that is Irish music for the 21st Century.’
O’Kane is a relaxed, assured singer. His hypnotic vocal style exudes a natural warmth and empathy with the colourful characters who occupy his songs.
He’s also an award-winning banjo player. And a superb guitarist. And an ingenious arranger. Not to mention an accomplished tune maker, researcher, bandleader and accompanist of rich imagination and fearless vision.
Steeped in music, Damien grew up in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, with deep respect and understanding of the folk tradition, yet which also forged a healthy appetite to explore its broadest borders and test its boundaries. All of which culminated in his brilliant 2015 solo album ‘Areas Of High Traffic’ which, apart from proving he scrubs up well for a cover photo, takes some of the greatest songs in the folk canon – ‘The Blacksmith’, ‘The Banks Of The Bann’, ‘I Am A Youth’ and ‘The Green Fields Of America’ included – and reinvents them in refreshingly original ways.
He has an impressive range of acclaimed albums under his belt to date, all showcasing his vocal and banjo talents and his ability to turn a song or a tune upside down, sideways or backwards but always staying within his true Irish roots. His most recent release in 2018 was ‘Banjophony,’ and duo banjo album with Ron Block, 14 times Grammy winner and a member of Alison Krauss’ Band. It is not hard to see why O’Kane is widely regarded as one of the most vital talents in modern folk music in the UK and Ireland and he continues to make music which delights his many fans and makes many new ones.
A seasoned performer, Damien has donned the stages of many of the great festivals around the world including Cambridge Folk Festival, Celtic Colours in Canada, Celtic Connections and many many more. In addition, he is a regular on the BBC Radio airwaves and continues to achieve many radio plays around the world.
Also a full-time member of Kate Rusby’s band (the UK’s leading female folk voice and winner of a Mercury Music Prize amongst many others) O’Kane is a also a much sought after session musician and Producer. Damien in his various guises is Irish Traditional and contemporary music at its very best.
Tickets from £16.50
Connaught Studio
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