Lunasa

Lunasa formed in 1997 as an instrumental Irish group with Michael McGoldrick on flute, John McSherry on fiddle, Kevin Crawford on flute and whistles, Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes and whistles, Trevor Hutchinson on double bass, and Paul Meehan on guitar and bodhrán. Their first album came out in 1999, simply called 'Lunasa,' and they've kept recording since, with later records like 'The Visit' in 2001 and 'Cas' in 2013.

They play tunes like 'Road to Barga' with a clean, driving rhythm that comes from having two flutes, pipes, fiddle, and that double bass holding it down. The lineup has shifted some over time as members have come and gone, but the core sound stays rooted in traditional reels and jigs, just arranged for a full band.

Some listeners who prefer strictly traditional settings have questioned their approach, but they've mostly kept to their own lane, recording and touring without much fuss. They're one of those groups that shows up reliably on the Irish music circuit, putting out albums every few years and playing festivals.