Lankum

Iron Horse Music Hall (20 Center Street, Northampton MA 01060)

Music

Lankum are a four-piece group from Dublin, Ireland with an alchemical ability to combine traditional folk roots with contemporary undercurrents to forge music that is dark, mysterious and transcendental.

Comprising brothers Ian Lynch (uillean pipes, tin whistle, vocals), Daragh Lynch (vocals, guitar) alongside Cormac Mac Diarmada (fiddle) and Radie Peat (harmonium, accordion, vocals), Lankum channel a diverse set of influences and histories to create a beautifully rare thing: a songbook from and for the people. Born of years criss-crossing Dublin’s folk, squat and experimental scenes, their two albums Cold Old Fireand Rough Trade debut Between The Earth and Sky (2017) breath new life into ancient/modern rituals with urban punk fervour, rural psycho-geography and, underpinning it all, the eternal drone of the uilleann pipes.

Lankum are the type of band you never knew you where searching for. A group of individuals united by a gang mentality whose close vocal harmonies, instrumental interplay and dramatic storytelling pin you to the seat and revive the spirit. They show that folk music can be angry, progressive and is still a vital force today.

Their latest album ‘Between the Earth and Sky’ is available now on Rough Trade Records.