What a fantastic concert Dochas promises to be, they are a hugely popular Gaelic six piece band and their lead singer, Julie Fowlis has just won the coveted Radio 2 “Folk Singer of the Year” award surely you can’t get better than that! Last year Radio 2 gave her the “Best Newcomer” award she has obviously fulfilled all her promise.

But Dochas are not just about Julie’s voice, they are a superb well-rounded band with a unique soul full of great feel-good sounds played on traditional instruments with both contemporary and traditional tunes and songs.

Jenna Reid is one of Shetland’s leading contemporary fiddlers, a finalist in 2004 in the “Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year” she has toured worldwide since then and is a prolific composer and performer in her own right. Alongside Julie and Jenna is Strathy based multi-instrumentalist Carol-Anne Mackay who plays, amongst other things, highland pipes, border pipes, small pipes, whistles and accordion and to add to that she has a fine singing voice too!

The fourth female member of Dochas may be familiar to some members of our audience as she is also a touring member of the Irish/American Supergroup Cherish the Ladies, (who played for us two years ago and will be back with us next autumn) Kathleen Boyle is a superbly talented pianist and adds a depth and spirit to the band with her fine playing.

Normally the band has a fifth female performer but as she is on maternity leave we are delighted that her place will be filled by Irish Supergroup Danu’s Eamon Doorley who will add a very special dimension to Dochas. Completing the line up is one of the country’s leading bodhran players’ Martin O’Neill. Martin has performed for us some years ago as part of Brolum and was a huge hit with his award winning style. He holds All-Ireland, All-Scotland and All-Britain titles, a very experienced performer he has worked with countless Celtic greats and his playing features on over twenty albums.

Dochas are a dream band, they contain all that is great in contemporary Celtic music, they give their music heart and soul and every performance they give is a joy. Join us for a fabulous evening.

Tickets are £12 in advance by clicking on the link and printing off the form and sending it with cheque and s.a.e or by phoning us on 01202 897958 or e-mail us at mail@celticfolk.net