The Paul McKenna Band October 4, 2011

Formed in 2006, the Paul McKenna Band won the award for Best Up-and-Coming Act at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2009 and has stirred up lots of excitement among observers of the Scots music scene. They are, according to Fatea magazine, "a band with the potential to dominate the Scottish/Irish traditional scene for the next 20 years and be spoken about in the same breath as Boys of the Lough." The Living Tradition calls the Paul McKenna Band simply "the best band of their generation." How do they do it? Outstanding vocals all around, driving guitar and bouzouki, some very intense fiddling, warm flute-and-whistle pairings, and dynamic percussion, all married to a mix of original and traditional pieces performed with a contemporary approach.