The Barra MacNeils are set to bring their East Coast Christmas concert to the Estevan Church of God tomorrow. Stewart MacNeil expressed the group's excitement, saying, "We're so thrilled to be coming to Estevan tomorrow. It's always a joy to share our music and traditions with new audiences."
The concert is part of the Estevan Arts Council's concert series and promises a mix of liturgical music, seasonal favourites, and step dancing. Stewart highlighted the tour's longevity, noting, "This is a tour that we've been doing annually now for a while, getting close to a quarter century. We started on the West Coast, flying to Vancouver on November 14th, and have been performing almost daily since then. The tour will wrap up on December 23rd in Nova Scotia."
The Barra MacNeils, hailing from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, are renowned for their contributions to Celtic music. Formed in 1980, the group has become one of the most celebrated live acts in the Celtic music world. Their music blends traditional Celtic songs, storytelling, and pop/folk influences, creating a unique and engaging experience. Over the years, they have won multiple East Coast Music Awards and have toured extensively across North America and Europe.
The group, consisting of six siblings, are joined by Jamie Gatti on bass. Stewart described the variety of instruments featured in the show: "We have a Celtic harp, guitars, mandolins, the bouzouki, fiddles, accordion, the Irish flute, various whistles, and piano. Jamie Gatti plays an electric upright bass and another bass."
Stewart emphasized the vocal talents within the family, saying, "We have a full spectrum of ranges, and Lucy has never sounded better. Her voice is just angelic. Some people come to the show just to hear her sing 'O Holy Night.' Her version is truly lovely."
The concert will also feature songs from the Gaelic tradition and from both sides of the Atlantic. Stewart noted, "Our show includes a mix of traditional carols with a Celtic twist, as well as some Gaelic songs. It really gives people a sense of what an East Coast Christmas can be."
The Barra MacNeils' East Coast Christmas concert will be held at the Estevan Church of God tomorrow, November 30, at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at Henders Drugs for $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Students aged 6 to 18 can get in for $10, and parents bringing a student can enter for $15. Stewart concluded, "We can't wait to get to Estevan. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."