Eddi Reader & Alan Kelly Gang

A message from Eddi Reader's socials:

A few weeks ago, Eddi’s husband, John Douglas, sadly passed away, surrounded by love. On behalf of Eddi and her family, we’d like to thank everyone who has reached out and shared messages, memories and kind words since John’s passing.

Following the loss of John, Eddi has made the decision to continue with the shows planned for the coming months, joining the Alan Kelly Gang in Ireland this September before heading to England in October.

There’s no doubt these shows will be incredibly emotional without John. His absence will be deeply felt, both by Eddi and by those who have shared the stage and so many years of music with him.

But music was such a huge part of the life Eddi and John shared, and Eddi and her band feel that continuing to play, sing and share that music is what John would have wanted.

For those joining Eddi and the band over the coming months, these will be very special shows, with John never far from their thoughts.

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The acclaimed collaboration between Eddi Reader (SCO), and the Alan Kelly Gang (IRE) returns to stages across Ireland this September.

Scotland’s internationally acclaimed and mesmerizing songstress, Eddi Reader, of Fairground Attraction fame joins Ireland’s piano accordion maestro, Alan Kelly and his gang of acclaimed musicians featuring Steph Geremia on flute and vocals, Kris Drever (Lau) on guitars and vocals and Jim Higgins (Christy Moore, The Stunning) on percussion.

Brimming with powerful instrumentals, captivating songs and buoyant harmonies, this is a fluid union of Irish and Scottish traditions from a collective of true masters, friends and long-time collaborators. The Alan Kelly Gang’s innovative perspective and trademark mix of strong dynamics and driving rhythms complements Eddi Reader’s thrilling performance and evocative story telling.

Alan Kelly and Eddi Reader first crossed paths in 2003 when Alan joined Eddi on a tour of Japan, after which he was invited to join her band and has since toured and recorded by Eddi’s side for more than two decades, forging an enduring musical comradery. In 2010 a collaboration between Eddi and the Alan Kelly Gang was proposed as a one-off festival performance but since developed into a headlining act, selling out their annual Irish tour for 14+ consecutive years.

Praised for leaving audiences spellbound, Scotland’s The Living Tradition magazine has described it as ‘an astonishing concert’. Their music will draw even the most fainthearted listener into the passion that they put into the music they play – magical, joyous and uplifting!

★★★★★ The Irish Times

★★★★ “Exceptional” R2

★★★★ Folk Radio UK

★★★★ “This is a party looking for a crowd” Irish Times

“one of the best Irish bands playing today” New York Irish Arts

“Eddi Reader is one of my favorite singers of all time, she has one of the most amazing voices, on a whole other level. No one sounds like her; she has the power and strength of a singer from another age. I like to imagine that, before music was recorded, this is what the great singers sounded like. You don’t have to know anything about music, but something hits you as soon as you hear her sing.” Jools Holland

“one of Scotland’s greatest national treasures” The Scotsman