Nominees

Beoga (Irish word for ‘lively’) are a five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim, Ireland. The band was drawn together after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in August 2002. Their unique sound features the twin duelling accordians of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley. In 2005, Beoga were nominated by Irish Music Magazine for the Best Traditional Newcomer’s Award. With the addition of one of Ireland’s premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga are described by the Wall Street Journal as “the most exciting traditional band to emerge from Ireland this century”.

The band released their debut album 'a lovely madness' in September 2004, to critical and popular acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America. Describing Beoga as a ‘phenomenon’ and their music as ‘madcap genius’, Irish music magazine predicted they would make a big mark on the Irish music scene.

The bedrock of Beoga’s music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, the debut album 'a lovely madness' earned 9/10 in Ireland’s Hot Press music magazine and was one of the Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year.

The group’s 2007 release Mischief’ also received excellent reviews across the board, including a phenomenal 9.5/10 rating from Hot Press. The Chicago American Times proclaims “super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm, with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major major band to be reckoned with.” The Irish Echo describes Beoga as “perhaps the most audacious band rooted in trad today” and “the most exciting band to emerge from Ireland since Lunasa”. ‘Mischief’ was acknowledged as one of the best folk albums of 2007 at the German Music Awards, Live Ireland Music Awards and in many publications including the Boston Globe, Irish Echo, Dirty Linen Magazine, Folk Alley, Philadelphia City Paper and Hot Press magazine.

Beoga have performed at major Celtic and Folk festivals throughout Europe and the USA, including the All-Ireland music Fleadh, Dranouter, Tonder, Boston, Kansas and Milwaukee Irish Festivals, the Guinness Irish Christmas tour of Austria, the Irish Folk Festival tour of Germany along with Solas and Kevin Burke, and the Irish Unplugged Tour of Holland with the Fureys and Davey Arthur. In September 2007, Beoga performed live with the BBC Orchestra to a television audience of millions as part of the prestigious ‘Last night of the Proms’. With their exciting 2009 release ‘The Incident’ Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish, as they captivate audiences on a global scale with their blend of passion, energy and vitality.