Rockport Celtic Festival

Friday, September 13 :: 7:30 PM

Opening Night:

Westbound from Sweden

Maeve Gilchrist | Väsen |  Darol Anger | Bruce Molsky | Joey Abarta

This night celebrates polskas, polkas and everything in between as we highlight the strong connections between our Swedish neighbors and their lasting impact on American culture and music. Few musicians alive today hold such influence over the Global acoustic music scene as Swedish folk group Väsen. Joining them are influential American instrumentalist duo Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger and Boston-based Uilleann piper, Joey Abarta.

Currently touring as a duo, their nuanced arrangements and tight ensemble playing have touched every corner of the contemporary music scene from bands such as Crooked Still to Snarky Puppy. Don’t miss the opportunity to see these guys live! Also featured on this concert are American folk music idols Darol Anger and Bruce Molsky, who bring their respective musical backgrounds in Old Time and bluegrass that have inspired a whole new generation of American folk musicians. Holding down the polkas this evening is internationally acclaimed, Boston-based uilleann piper Joey Abarta, celebrating the release of his latest album King of the Blind featuring historic Irish harp and pipe repertoire and the iconic beauty of solo pipes. Don’t miss this musical feast bringing together the best of the old and the new across Western folk music today.

The artists will announce the program from the stage.

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Thank you to our 2024 Rockport Celtic Festival Corporate Partners!