There is an eclectic and epic show lined up in Monroe’s Live on opening night of the Galway Folk Festival featuring three exceptional and unique artists! Scottish Indie-trad group Project Smok will be joined by harpist, singer and composer BRÍDÍN and Clare singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dave Clancy for what is going to be a special night of tunes!

Project SMOK: Indie-trad trio Project SMOK is at the forefront of the traditional music scene. The coming together of Ali Levack, Ewan Baird and Pablo Lafuente is a melting pot of traditional Scottish and Irish music with contemporary new-age pop influences. They also draw on time honoured West Coast styles to bring a non-conformist and progressive edge, creating tunes built around the distinctive whistle and piping of BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Ali Levack. With Ewan Baird’s fierce bodhrán playing and Pablo Lafuente’s nuanced guitar style, it’s little wonder they are a recognised name in traditional music.

Brídín: Contemporary folk harpist, singer, and composer BRÍDÍN carries on the tradition of Irish music into the fourth generation of her family. Over the years, she has achieved many accolades, including being an RTÉ Folk Awards Nominee and winning multiple All-Ireland Titles. BRÍDÍN has developed her own unique style, influenced by her natural surroundings and deeply rooted in traditional Irish music. Using loop and effect pedals, she crafts layered melodies on harp and voice that blend with fiddle, cello and drums. The West County Sligo native plays the harp, flute and piano, and is also a talented sean nós dancer. Her music is soothing and uplifting, creating an otherworldly experience for listeners.

Dave Clancy: Dave Clancy is a Limerick-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a gift for crafting songs that feel both familiar and new. His latest single, ‘Take Your Time,’ showcases his signature warm, earthy tones, featuring vocals from Nicola Joyce, strings by Maria Ryan, drums by Eamon Murray, and double bass by Conor McCreanor. Dave first made his mark with his 2020 debut album, ‘The Path,’ which was named Album of the Week on The Late Show with Eve Blair on BBC Radio Ulster. A long-time collaborator with acts like The Whileaways and Pauline Scanlon’s ‘Bird on a Wire,’ Dave continues to shape the folk landscape with heartfelt storytelling and rich, melodic arrangements.