The guys from Celtic Thunder are known for crooning celtic classics, selling millions of albums worldwide, and presenting killer live productions – now, they're bringing the thunder down under.
The Irish lads have been a global phenomenon since they first popped up back in 2007. Nine short years later, things don't seem to be slowing down for them any time soon.
Guitarist and vocalist Neil Byrne says the success of Celtic Thunder took a while to sink in, and still amazes them. “We've sold over 2.5 million records, we've released 14 albums, and it's just been a whirlwind these 9 years.”
As well as working with Celtic Thunder, Neil is also part of a duo with fellow Celtic Thunder member Ryan Kelly. Together they're Byrne & Kelly, and they've just released a hugely successful album together (called 'Echoes') that's topping the world album Billboard chart. “We're very proud of it, it's done so well. People kept asking us if we'd think about doing something as a duo, so we did!”
With Celtic Thunder's 'Legacy' release and tour, Neil and the rest of the group felt they had come full circle and it was time to define their music legacy, showcasing all their best songs. He calls it the strongest show Celtic Thunder has ever produced, with a band alongside them that is next to none. They'll also be joined by one-time 'Glee' star and former Celtic Thunder member young Damian McGinty, whose pipes won him a spot on the show playing Rory Flanagan. McGinty is now back with the Thunder and back to his roots for the 'Legacy' tour.
Though they're practically regular visitors to our shores by now, when Celtic Thunder first came down under four years ago they were incredibly nervous. “We just didn't know how it was going to go. Were they going to like the show? Will people even turn up?” All those questions were running through their minds, but on the first night, the people in the stadium were stamping their feet and chanting their names well before they came onstage. “It was like we were preaching to the converted, which was a lovely feeling because we could then just enjoy ourselves.”
Neil says he first discovered celtic music as a teenager and never looked back. “Celtic music runs really deep with people, there's something about it. It's so passionate, it really affects people.” In some cases, the guys don't even know who originally wrote the song they're singing, because the songs are just that old, going back hundreds and hundreds of years. These songs stood the test of time, Neil says, in large part because they tell stories. “The stories are so good, and then the melodies are so good – that's why they last.”He encourages anyone who hasn't heard celtic music before to come along to one of their upcoming shows. “Even if you're not from a celtic background, that's okay – you'll still go home having seen something really special, you'll really enjoy it.” Neil says that's the way celtic music is.
Sometimes when you go to a concert it can feel like it's all one sound, that the artist is a one-trick pony. But with Celtic Thunder, things are a little more diverse. “One minute you're singing a beautiful sad song like 'Danny Boy' and people are crying in the audience. Then they're up on their chairs clapping and singing to 'The Galway Girl' and all those great upbeat songs.”
When people discover what celtic music is like, Neil says they come to see the group again and again, which is what makes it so great. He rarely plays any other kind of music anymore, because other genres just don't appeal to him and the other Celtic Thunder guys in the same way. “It's a very celtic lifestyle we're leading.”
Written by Stephanie O'Neill
Celtic Thunder Tour Dates
Thurs 5 May – The Entertainment Centre (Albany)Sat 7 May – Perth Arena (Perth)
Sun 8 May – The Entertainment Centre (Bunbury)
Tues 10 May – Grand Chancellor (Hobart)
Wed 11 May – Princess Theatre (Launceston)
Fri 13 May – Margaret Court Arena (Melbourne)
Sat 14 May – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre
Sun 15 May – Geelong Arena (Geelong)
Tues 17 May – Albury Entertainment Centre (Albury)
Tues 19 May – Bendigo Stadium (Bendigo)
Sat 21 May – Royal Theatre (Canberra)
Sun 22 May – The Star Events Centre (Sydney)
Wed 25 May – Civic Theatre (Newcastle)
Thurs 26 May – Empire Theatre (Toowoomba)
Fri 27 May – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
