Michael McGoldrick

Michael McGoldrick grew up in Manchester with Irish parents, and his father was a flute player who introduced him to traditional Irish music early on. He started playing uilleann pipes and by the mid-1990s was performing with established acts like The Chieftains and Sinéad O'Connor.

In 1996 he formed the band Toss the Feathers, and later began releasing solo work. His 2007 debut album 'At First Light' won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Instrumental Album. You can hear his approach on tracks like 'Buain Na Choirce' and 'Donal Og'.

He's recorded with Kate Rusby and John McCusker, and played with the London Symphony Orchestra. Some traditionalists initially questioned his modern takes on the music, but that conversation faded as his playing became more familiar in folk circles.