Almost exactly five years ago Celtic supergroup Ímar had the night of their lives.
At the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in Belfast the awesome Scottish/Irish/Manx alliance scooped the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Act while their irrepressible concertina ace, Mohsen Amini, landed the coveted Musician of the Year title.
Anglo-Iranian Scot Amini and bandmates Tomas Callister (fiddle) Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Ryan Murphy (uillean pipes, flute and whistle) and Adam Brown (bodhran, guitar) had pulled off one of the most rapid rises in the Celtic folk world. The Glasgow-based band ticked all the boxes pooling a melting pot of Irish, Scottish and Manx-influenced tunes with verve, vibrancy and razor-sharp precision.
Since then they have continued their upward spiral, tearing up stages all over the world with their instrumental punch and panache, leaving audiences reeling. A band with an intense energy and alchemy – and proven global appeal.
On April 21 they finally release their long-awaited third studio album Awakening, recorded by Andrea Gobbi, mixed by Scott Wood in Glasgow and mastered by Alan Douches in New York.
All Ímar’s trademark zest and magic are here in this breath-taking third album. The Awakening title could hardly be more apt. No-one, but no-one, could fall asleep after pinning their ears to these dazzling tunes and jaw-dropping musicianship. A powerhouse performance indeed.
Awakening is released on the Big Mann Records label on April 21. Ímar will be on tour from April 20-30 including a London gig at King’s Place on launch day.
Artists’ website: www.imarband.com
‘The Stinger’ – live:
April Tour Dates
20th: SHEFFIELD – The Greystones
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/568707
21st: LONDON – Kings Place (Hall 1)
https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/folk/imar-2023/
22nd: BRADFORD on AVON – Wiltshire Music Centre
https://www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk/whats-on/%C3%ADmar
23rd: CAMBRIDGE – The Junction
https://www.junction.co.uk/events/imar/
24th: EVESHAM – The Fleece Inn
https://thefleeceinn.co.uk
25th: MAIDENHEAD – Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
https://norden.farm/events/imar/2023-04-25/20:00/add_to_basket
26th: OTLEY – Otley Courthouse
https://otleycourthouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173638666
27th: KENDAL – Brewery Arts Centre
https://www.breweryarts.co.uk/event/imar/
28th: STIRLING – Tolbooth
https://stirlingevents.org/tolbooth-event/imar/
29th: BRAEMAR – St Margarets
https://www.stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk/events-calendar/mar
30th: EDINBURGH – Summerhall
https://www.summerhall.co.uk/sh-event/nehh-presents-imar/
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