ALAN STIVELL

Town Hall Theatre, Galway Tomorrow 8pm 25/20 091-569777

Breton harpist Alan Stivell has always been on intimate conversational terms with wide-open musical vistas, experimenting with folk, Celtic rock and traditional elements through his groundbreaking electrified harps (of his own design). There’s a touch of Seán Ó Riada’s genius in Stivell’s eternal quest for new musical terrain, a quest he shared with the likes of Horslips back in the 1970s. He’s also worked with Kate Bush and Youssou N’Dour, among others.

For his Galway debut, Stivell will be joined by sean nós singer Caitríona Ní Ceannabháin and Irish harpist Caitríona Cannon.

Stivell’s singing is as wilfully eclectic as is his composing, mixing Breton, English and French in set lists that straddle ambient, Celtic rock and world music. Four decades on, he’s still testing new ground.

SIOBHÁN LONG