Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th March 2018 | St Patrick’s Day weekend
It doesn’t get much more fun for St Patrick’s Day than bringing one of the country’s biggest Celtic bands to town for the weekend, to get their party Craic on! Celtic rockers Claymore are returning to BAR36 at The Reef Hotel Casino by popular demand, and they’re bringing out the best songs to help celebrate the auspicious Irish festivity. This year’s St Paddy’s Day celebrations won’t just be about leprechauns and four-leaf clovers, its all about the rock, and getting your party-pants on Celtic style!
Melbourne-based Claymore are renowned as one of the world’s premier Celtic rock bands, and for good reason. An evening in the company of the band always demands audiences to be on their feet from the onset. They’re a regular at the reputed Festival Interceltique De Lorient France, and a local festival favourite on the bill of events such as Queenscliff, Port Fairy Folk Festival, and have even played the Big Day Out.
In everything they do, Claymore, defies all expectations. The talented multi-instrumentalists not only manages to combine traditional elements of Celtic music, but they take that passion and soul and rock it right into the 21st century. Few bands can pull off the sensitive task of re-educating the traditional realm into the modern day, but that’s something of a specialty for Claymore. Not only that, but they manage to write beautiful original Celtic compositions, and even lend their style to some power rock classics, all with an Irish and Scottish twist.
Although many Celtic bands may come and go, each sounding remarkably like the other, the point of difference with Claymore is within the term ‘rock’. They add a current flavour, and interestingly, an inherent Australian-sound, to their music, bringing ole time traditional themes into the future, and appealing to audiences young and old. From the penetrating beats of the bohdrahn in the battle songs of the Jacobite rebellion to the hypnotising drone of the pipes in the evocative love ballads of Scotland and Ireland, fans of the band find themselves conquered by the most fiery and delicate textures of Celtic music.
Once again, joining Claymore for their sojourn to the Far North are revered Melbourne Celtic folk band Saoirse. Saoirse, the Gaelic word for freedom, are known for their vibrant Irish vocals and dance. They delight their audience with beautiful renditions of Irish ballads and original works and their spirited jigs and reels are guaranteed to get the feet tapping. They’ve performed at a swag of the country’s premier festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Brunswick Music Festival and the National Folk Festival to name a few.
Don’t miss Claymore, with special guests Saoirse, as they return to The Reef Hotel Casino this St Patrick’s Day – it is going to be a party!
Claymore perform at BAR36, The Reef Hotel Casino this St Patrick’s Day weekend. Entertainment kicks off with Saoirse each evening. The Irish festivities flow on into Sunday at the infamous BARSESSION, with an early start at 6.30pm. Sunday will be a family affair, all are welcome to continue the St Patrick’s Day celebrations! These are non-ticketed, free shows in BAR36.
For more information, please visit www.reefcasino.com.au
