Band to blow in Celtic sound

Aug 6 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

FOLK group Norland Wind, featuring members of Clannad, are bringing their Celtic sound to Merseyside later this month

The Celtic North West of Ireland, with its treasury of traditional songs and majestic landscape, provides the inspiration for Norland Wind, who take to the stage of the Southport Arts Centre stage on Saturday, August 23.

Donegal-born Noel and Padraig Duggan, both members of Clannad, lend the strong Celtic element to the group’s repertoire with songs in their native Gaelic.

This is complemented by the haunting instrumentals of harpist Thomas Loefke and the songs of singer guitarist Kerstin Blodig.

Hal Parfitt Murray (fiddle), Eoin Duignan (uillean pipes and low whistle) and Matthias Kießling (keyboards) complete the sound.

As a trio or as a quintet, the group has performed all over Europe, Canada and the USA.

John Sprackland, performing arts programme manager at Southport Arts Centre, said: "The Duggan brothers were founder members and have been at the heart of Clannad’s unmistakable sound for over thirty years.

“If you are one of the many millions who love Clannad, Norland Wind will be right up your street.”

Tickets are £18.50 or £17 for concessions, available by calling the box office on 01704-540011 or log onto www.seftonarts.co.uk.