The Band plays on
Bothy set for reunited TV show special
TRAD revolutionaries The Bothy Band are back in action – more than four decades after they split.
The legendary folk group, led by Donal Lunny, will reunite tomorrow for an Easter Sunday TV show highlighting their impact and legacy.
Their comeback is for a special documentary for TG4 and the performance is watched by musicians Paul Brady, Moya Brennan and actors Stephen Rea and Patrick Bergin.
The group, who paved the way for today’s trad music stars such as Lankum, will play a series of shows for the first time since they parted ways in 1979.
The programme tells how The Bothy Band’s groundbreaking sound captivated audiences worldwide in their four years together.
TG4 said: “For those of a certain age, The Bothy Band is synonymous with the birth of trad and folk music worldwide.
That generation of all things Celtic will relish the prospect of once again seeing and hearing this unique group of musical talent when they perform together for the first time in almost 40 years on Easter Sunday.
“Formed in 1975, The Bothy Band travelled extensively to many countries in their short existence.
“They left a musical legacy which still resonates and influences the present day traditional and folk musicians – not only in Ireland but throughout the
world.” The documentary follows surviving members
Lunny, Matt Molloy, Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke, Paddy Glackin and Paddy Keenan as they recapture their unique sound.
The cameras recorded the band rehearsing and reflecting on the music they made together.
The reunion took place at the Complex arts centre near Capel Street in Dublin. Ni Dhomhnaill said of the reunion: “I just thought to myself that the time is right for this, because the magic is still there.”
Triona, who this year won an RTE Radio 1 Folk Award for lifetime achievement, added: “They’re all still my heroes.”
Keenan said not only are the original fans enthusiastic to see the band but their children and grandchildren are too.
He added: “It’s crazy. They want to hear what their parents were talking about.”
■ TG4’S spokesperson said: “This one-off, never-to-be-repeated performance is a spectacular concert shot in Dublin’s inner city.”
The band is due to play the National Concert in Dublin on April 9 and 10 and again on August 21 and 22.
TG4’S documentary An Bothy Band by Big Mountain Productions airs at 9.30pm tomorrow.