Kila, one of Dublin's most exciting trad acts, have their annual Christmas bash at Vicar Street on Thursday, the 22nd of December.
Kila was formed in Colaiste Eoin in Dublin in 1987 with Eoin Dillion on Uileann Pipes, Rossa O' Snodaigh on Whistle, Ronan O' Snodaigh on Bodhran as the core part of the band. Colm O' Snodaigh, a flautist, joined the band in 1989 for the band's first festival in Germany.
The band began playing live in Dublin with an ever-changing line-up that incorporated parts of what would become The Frames and The Mary Janes. With the additions of Dee Armstrong on fiddle, Lance Hogan on guitar and his brother Brian on bass the line-up for the band was complete. The band began to mix world music elements into their traditional style making the band an exciting live act to experience. With a heavy emphasis on expert trad playing allied to intoxicating rhythms, the band became a big hit at festivals across Europe throughout the '90s.
In 1994 the band took four weeks to record and mix Mind The Gap, their debut album. The album was released in 1995 to great commercial and critical acclaim. Mind The Gap showcased the kind of intricate and experimental music Kila had been thrilling audiences with for years. The band mixed percussive chanting pieces like "Feach" with Celtic rockers like "Odlum's Wild Oates".
In 1996 the band released their follow up to Mind The Gap, Tog e go Bog e which further mined the band's interest in combining Celtic music with African rhythms. In 2000 the band released Lemonade and Buns and the album had a more experimental feel with Middle Eastern and Eastern European flavour to the music.
Kila released their 1992 debut Handel's Fantasy and the soundtrack for Monkey in 2001. In 2003 the band released Luna Park with critics falling over themselves again for superlatives.
Over the last year, Kila have collaborated with Japanese, Ainu musician Oki on a new recording of "Tóg é go bog é" after their sell out concert at this years Festival of World Culture and released a new live album capturing their blistering live performances in Vicar Street, the Olympia Theatre and the Basement in Sydney. This Christmas concert is unmissable.
Kila
Vicar Street
Buy Tickets
Time: 8pm
Tickets: €25
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.ie
Vicar Street
58-59 Thomas Street,
Dublin 8.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 4546656
