Afro Celt Sound System

IMN representation: Asia, Australia, South America, Europe

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A pioneering and thrilling live band, Afro Celt Sound System return to live action this summer for the first time in five years. Twice Grammy-nominated and multi-million album selling the band play summer festivals throughout Europe. A career-spanning survey double CD release of the bands best work on Realworld will be released in September 2010

It has been an extraordinary journey for the Afro Celt Sound System: one of the most innovative groups in world music. In that period there have been many lesser imitators and the global beat movement they pioneered has entered the mainstream.

Inspired by the link between Irish and African traditions Afro Celt Sound System was born in 1995 as a collaborative effort of four like-minded souls: vocalist and lyricist Iarla O’Lionaird, producer and guitarist Simon Emmerson, producer and composer James McNally and producer and engineer programmer Martin Russell.

Over the years they have formed an ever-changing collaborative group with numerous outstanding guest performers who have taken cross-cultural fusion to dizzying hights. As well as Johnny Kalsi, Emer Mayock and N’Faly Kouyate they have been joined by a host of names from Robert Plant to Sinead O’Connor, Davy Spillane to Liam O’Flynn, Peter Gabriel, Jesse Cook and Eileen Ivers to name but a few.

The band has broken down musical barriers and celebrated musical and cultural differences to create an organic whole out of many parts. They have sold well over two million albums, contributed to the sound tracks of numerous films – from Hotel Rwanda to Gangs of New York, and been nominated for two Grammy awards. They have built a formidable live reputation playing to sell out crowds worldwide and legendary festival appearances at WOMAD, Glastonbury, Montreux Jazz Festival and numerous other events.

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When I Still 4:18 Afro Celt Sound System
Persistence of Memory 4:29 Afro Celt Sound System
Lovers of Light 3:58 Afro Celt Sound System
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REVIEWS

Moorish calls to prayer infused with the soft air of western Ireland, floating African whispers which build into whirling dervish Celtic jigs … Hearing is believing.
Mojo (UK)

A fierce comeback for this tribe dedicated to the fusion of African, Celtic and danceclub music … Exotic spooky and stirring. It may be this band’s best.
Boston Herald (USA)

…their most accessible and even commercial endeavor yet, a celebratory mantra that will light the fire of those open minded enthusiasts of the ancient, the modern, and the mixing of the two.
Billboard (USA)

It’s like a hurricane let loose… the spontaneity, the mix of ancient and modern, the black and white, the fluidity and breathless glee.
Q Magazine