Another chance to hear the ICC’s ‘Bright Side Of The Road’ Tune which was broadcast on  Dublin’s Near FM 90.3, on Wednesday April  7th, at 11.30pm

This show shines a spotlight on the sublime flute and fiddle duo Philippe and Ali Barnes who play some awe-inspiring Irish and Breton music. These two outstanding musicians met at an Irish music session and love and marriage quickly followed.  Since then, they’ve become renowned on the Irish trad and folk music circuits throughout the UK and  they’ve thrilled audiences across the globe.

This show looks at the close links between ‘Irish trad’ and Breton music. There are tracks by the great pioneer of Celtic and Breton tunes, Alan Stivell, the acclaimed Breton flute player Jean-Michel Veillon and there’s even be a sea shanty song, sung by Ali’s father.

Henry Scott Irvine presents the weekly Irish music and arts show, with special guests, the ICC’s Cultural Director, Rosalind Scanlon and Film-maker Sé Merry Doyle, who directed the series of 14 lockdown concerts, “The ICC Seisiúns”.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Philippe Barnes is a world-renowned flautist and composer who has an MA in Irish music from Limerick University. He has performed on top West End hit shows  including “Come From Away”, Philip Glass’ ‘Bowie Symphonies’ with the London Contemporary Orchestra and on ‘Prince, a Symphonic Tribute’ at the Royal Albert Hall.

Hugely in demand as a musician, Philippe has performed with many celebrities including Shakira, Pixie Lotte and The Proclaimers.

Best known to Irish Trad audiences for playing with the Irish group ‘Crossharbour’, Philippe also toured for many years with the infamous ‘Dave Munnelly Band’.

Ali Barnes grew up in Portsmouth around traditional music and singing. She took up the fiddle in her teens and when she moved to London she became a regular performer at Irish sessions. She has appeared in many TV shows including ‘Made in Chelsea’, ‘TOWIE’, ‘Sanditon’  and ‘Loose Women’. Ali has also performed in many of the UK’s major folk festivals, and she has played across Europe, in Marrakesh, Florida and Salt Lake City. Currently she also plays with the popular band ‘License to Ceilidh’.