Bishop Hill Creative Commons will present Dallahan in concert on Friday, Jan. 16, marking the band’s first U.S. tour in 10 years.
Forged out of the traditional music scenes of Scotland and Ireland, Dallahan have spent more than a decade carving out a bold, genre-defying sound influenced by the Balkans, North America and beyond. Their music blends deep traditional roots with creativity, resulting in a live show known for its dynamic arrangements, and global perspective.
The band consists of Jack Badcock – guitar and vocals, Ciaran Ryan – banjo, Andrew Waite – accordion, and Benedict Morris – fiddle. They burst onto the international stage with their 2014 debut, When The Day Is On The Turn, hailed by fRoots as “the most exciting Irish music I’ve heard in a long time…” What followed was extensive touring across Europe, North America, and beyond, with appearances at major festivals including Celtic Connections in Scotland, Milwaukee Irish Fest in USA, Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival and many more.
Dallahan quickly earned critical acclaim, receiving the Emerging Excellence Award from Help Musicians UK and multiple Album of the Year nominations at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Their follow-up releases – Matter of Time 2016, Smallworld 2019, and Speak of the Devil 2023 document a band continually evolving while remaining grounded in tradition. Along the way, they’ve performed in 25 countries, collaborated with artists ranging from Dougie MacLean to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and built a devoted international following.
Now, after a decade away from U.S. stages, Dallahan returns with a sound that is seasoned, adventurous and unmistakably their own. This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the most compelling contemporary folk bands in the world, up close, in an intimate setting.
The evening will begin with an optional community potluck dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the concert at 7 p.m. This is an all-ages show, with a suggested donation of $20–30, all of which goes directly to the artists.
For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.
