Our Beginner Session, hosted by Fiachra Meek (uilleann piper, singer, bodhran player).

A little bit about the session:

•This is a slow session
•It is for people to play together
•The starting repertoire (20 sets of different tune types and different keys)
•If it goes well with numbers we will continue the session once a month

A little bit about Fiachra:

Bio: Fiachra Meek, Uilleann piper, singer and Multi instrumentalist is a versatile music graduate from Co. Louth Dundalk. He's a fixture in Irish Dance and Music tours like The Great Irish Hooley and The Irish Folk Festival, having also collaborated with acts like Junior Brother & The Armagh Rhymers. Based in Amsterdam, Fiachra hosts folk sessions, teaches and performs with various group. His favourite and longest project is Alfi with his two friends Alannah Thornburgh and Ryan McCauley where they explore Irish, Appalachian, and folk traditions. Fiachra most notable performance to date was with The Pogues for a 40th-anniversary "Red Roses For Me” concert at Hackney Empire London, earning acclaim from the Guardian Newspaper.

This will be Fiachra's personal time that he usually uses to teach privately. Please respect one another and use this time wisely to give your full attention to whatever will be presented.

Most importantly let’s have fun and wind down from the Monday Blues!

Any more questions feel free to ask a question via our website or a member of staff.

Mulligans & Fiachra :)

Beginner Session with Fiachra Meek

Steelstreet fuses energy, friendship and their passion for the ’50s and ’60s into a mix of close harmony and rock ‘n roll. These three musicians from Amsterdam are all multi-instrumentalists and their catchy tunes tell stories of life, love, and animals playing blues on a farm – all in the style of old school pop. The songs feature alternating lead vocalists and diverse instruments, which, together with requests from the audience, lead to a dynamic performance: from intimate acoustic to swinging rock ‘n roll.

Steelstreet loves vocal harmonies, inspired by great bands from the past, such as The Beatles, The Everly Brothers and The Beach Boys. With their double bass, acoustic guitars, harmonica, and three voices, Steelstreet can create a moving acoustic sound. These are the gigs in which their thoughtful lyrics, chord progressions, and intimate connection with the audience get a chance to shine.

Steelstreet can also shake up a venue with up-tempo walking bass lines, raging harmonica solos and soulful vocals. Famous rock ‘n roll songs are alternated with Steelstreet originals, influenced by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers and the early Beatles. These are the gigs where Steelstreet’s cheerful energy, playful audience interaction, and steady rhythm section can be experienced best.

Steelstreet

Niall McGuigan & Fiachra Meek are talented Irish musicians known for their work in traditional Irish music..

Niall is also a practicing music therapist and has researched the topic of music & healing within shamanic & neo-shamanic traditions

Fiachra is a highly skilled musician, renowned for his expertise on the Uilleann pipes and low whistle. His contributions to the realm of traditional Irish music are significant, and his performances are a testament to his talent and dedication to preserving and celebrating Irish culture through music.

This musical duo brings a rich repertoire of jigs and reels, both contemporary and from deep within the past of Irish music, traditional Irish songs and tunes, as well as pub and pop songs to their performances

Niall McGuigan & Fiachra Meek

Let’s delve into the musical trio of Victor Lacken, Jimmy Ellis, & Sjoerd van Raven,

Victor Lacken: Victor’s guitar work provides the rhythmic foundation for the trio. His strumming patterns and chord progressions enhance the overall sound. His vocals add depth and warmth, rounding out the ensemble. Victor’s stage presence and musical versatility contribute to the trio’s dynamic performances.

Sjoerd van Raven: Sjoerd is known for his lively banjo playing and heartfelt vocals. His contributions add a traditional and authentic touch to the trio’s performances. Whether it’s a spirited reel or a soulful ballad, Sjoerd’s banjo melodies resonate with audiences.

Jimmy Ellis: Jimmy’s fiddle playing is a highlight of the trio. His nimble fingers dance across the strings, weaving intricate melodies. His vocals complement the fiddle tunes, creating a harmonious blend of sound. Jimmy brings energy and passion to the stage.

Together, Sjoerd, Jimmy, and Victor create a captivating musical experience, drawing from Irish folk traditions, Celtic tunes, and heartfelt ballads. Their chemistry on stage and love for the music make them a delightful trio to watch and listen to. 🎶🪕🎻

Victor Lacken, Jimmy Ellis & Sjoerd van Raven

Fiachra Meek and Gabriele Brazzo form a talented local duo known for their performances in Amsterdam. Fiachra Meek brings his expertise on the Uilleann Pipes, Low Whistle, Bodhrán, and Vocals, while Gabriele Brazzo complements the ensemble with his guitar skills. Together, they create a dynamic blend of traditional Irish music with contemporary influences.

Their music is a testament to the vibrant and evolving folk scene, and they contribute to the rich tapestry of Irish music that continues to captivate audiences around the world. If you’re a fan of folk music or interested in exploring the genre, Fiachra Meek and Gabriele Brazzo’s performances are definitely worth attending.

Fiachra Meek is also part of the multi-award-winning trio Alfi, which explores a combination of traditional Irish and Appalachian old-time music and song. The trio has received numerous accolades and has been recognized for their innovative approach to folk music, blending tradition with modern influences.

Fiachra Meek | Gabriele Brazzo

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Event source:
https://www.mulligans.nl/fiachra-meek-gabriele-brazzo/

Fiachra Meek & Gabriele Brazzo

Cinnamon Sun is an Australian multi-instrumentalist Reggae/Roots/Alt-pop musician, hailing from the rainforest of Kuranda. With a captivating presence and heartfelt style of song writing, his live performances are not to be missed: boasting the powerful energy of a ‘one-man-band,’ Simony takes to guitar, vocals, synth, foot percussion and live looping.

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Event source:
https://www.mulligans.nl/cinnamon-sun-australia/

Cinnamon Sun

Bluegrass is probably not the first thing you expect from a group of Conservatory students. The band, consisting of Frank Homma (Guitar), Robin Borsboom (Double Bass), Edwin Versprille (Banjo) and Jeffrey Blok (Vocals, Mandolin and Guitar) knows how to mix traditional bluegrass with a blend of jazz and folk music. With inspirations such as Tony Rice, Nick Drake and Billy Strings, the band knows how to perform both covers and their own songs with virtuoso solos and a lot of improvisation. In addition to music, friendship and conviviality are also central to the group. This makes Post Modern Clarity a unique band.

Frank Homma | Robin Borsboom | Edwin Versprille | Jeffrey Blok

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Event source:
https://www.mulligans.nl/postmodern-clarity/

Post Modern Clarity

singer/songrwiter Martin on tour from Waterford & Peter on bass, with originals and some contemporary pop

Martyn Travis | Peter Curran

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Event source:
https://www.mulligans.nl/martyn-travis-peter-curran/

Martyn Travis & Peter Curran

local duo: traditional Irish, ballads, tunes, pub- and popsongs

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Event source:
https://www.mulligans.nl/boxin-the-vox/

Boxin the Vox

local 4-piece band: traditional Irish songs and tunes

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https://www.mulligans.nl/the-lowland-paddies/

The Lowland Paddies

Set dancing is probably Ireland’s most popular form of traditional dance, and can be enjoyed all around the world.

Traditional Irish dancing is well known around the world thanks to the success of Riverdance and other shows featuring amazing displays of solo step dancing.

Quite different from step dancing is set dancing, which is the type of traditional social dancing done strictly for pleasure in rural communities in Ireland for a couple hundred years or more.

‘Sets’ came from quadrilles, the eighteenth and nineteenth century court dances of France which spread across Europe. The Irish learned the quadrilles from British landlords and soldiers and took them home to their cottages where they became the uniquely Irish sets when traditional music and steps were applied to them.

Four couples arrange themselves in a square to dance—the term ‘set’ refers both to the eight people in formation and to the dance itself. When the music begins they dance a variety of intricate moves and steps. One set can last from ten minutes to half an hour. The dancing is divided into separate sections called figures—when a figure is finished the music stops and the dancers remain in place waiting for it to resume. A set usually has from three to six figures, each one different but always danced in the same sequence. After the last figure the dancers thank one another and leave the floor.

For more information, please see the link below:

https://sets.ie

Mulligans Irish Music Bar

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