Solas to Ignite Celtic Fire October 17
On Saturday night October 17, the Celtic supergroup Solas will transform the Lancaster High School Auditorium and Performing Arts Center in Irvington into a “mighty craic,” celebrating the spirit of Irish music. Widely acclaimed for their spellbinding musicianship and genre‑defying imagination, Solas—after three decades—remains one of the most influential ensembles in Celtic music today. The Boston Globe hails them as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced.”
The doors of the new venue—at 100 Visionary Way—open at 7 p.m. Single tickets for teachers and First Responders are $35 and are available with presentation of proper ID. Students under 15 attend free with a paying adult. These special seats must be reserved by contacting Donna McGrath at admin@rfaonstage.com or calling 804-438-5555. For all other single event tickets at $45 each, go to www.rappahannockfoundation.org, or call 804-438-5555. Season subscriptions are still available at a prorated price of $160 by calling Donna.
Led by champion multi-instrumentalist Séamus Egan, Solas blends the fire of Irish traditional music with the soulful colors of Americana. In this performance, part of their 30-year anniversary tour—and part of the 33rd On Stage Season of the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts (RFA)—Solas honors their legacy while charting new creative territory.
“Get ready for some driving reels and jigs from Solas, as well as some original songs that carry real emotional weight,” said RFA President Jamie Tucker. “The acoustics in our new venue will bring amazing clarity to this lively mix, highlighting their precision and their intimate storytelling. Nobody does it better.”
Founded in New York City in 1995, Solas emerged as a revolutionary force in Irish‑American music. Their earliest lineup—multi‑instrumentalist Séamus Egan, fiddler Winifred “Winnie” Horan, vocalist Karan Casey, guitarist John Doyle, and accordionist John Williams—brought together a constellation of talent that reshaped the Celtic sound for a new generation. Their approach was fearless: weaving centuries‑old Irish tunes with folk, bluegrass, Americana, and contemporary songwriting, they created a sonic landscape that felt both deeply rooted and thrillingly new.
Their debut album, Solas (1996), announced the arrival of a bold artistic voice, and over the course of 12 critically acclaimed recordings, the band has continued to set new standards for virtuosity, storytelling, and emotional depth. Each album reflects their signature blend of tradition and innovation, offering audiences music that resonates across cultures and eras.
Among their most ambitious projects is the 2013 concept album “Shamrock City,” inspired by Egan’s great‑great‑uncle, who immigrated from Ireland to Butte, Montana, in the early 1900s. The album explores themes of immigrant identity, labor struggles and lost dreams, cementing Solas’ reputation not only as master musicians but as evocative chroniclers of the human experience. Their 2016 release, “All These Years,” celebrated the band’s 20th anniversary with contributions from every past and present member—a sweeping tribute to their evolution and enduring spirit.
Today, Solas continues to captivate audiences with performances that are as dynamic as they are heartfelt. Their 30th‑anniversary tour features founding members Egan, Horan andWilliams, joined by guitarist Alan G. Murray and Eimear (EE-mer) Arkins, an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from County Clare.
Solas is often called a supergroup, its members achieving individual prominence in solo careers and in teaching, composing and collaborating widely. Before the band’s formation, Egan had cut three acclaimed solo albums, building on the talent that earned him four All-Ireland Championships on different instruments by the age of 14. Since 2018, he has also toured as a solo performer, assembling friends and musical guests to make music as the Séamus Egan Project.
Horan moved fluidly through the classical world—performing with ensembles such as the Boston Pops—before stepping into the Celtic spotlight with Cherish the Ladies in 1990. She is a nine‑time champion Irish step dancer and All‑Ireland fiddle champion.
Williams has earned international acclaim, multiple All‑Ireland titles, and collaborations ranging from The Chieftains and Riverdance to the London Symphony Orchestra andOscar‑winning director Sam Mendes.
Guitarist, bouzouki player and singer Alan Murray has established himself as an in-demand performer and teacher on the Irish music scene. He has played and toured the world with many of the finest traditional musicians and acts today.
Arkins’ artistry—shaped by years of touring with Comhaltas and Brú Ború—blends deep traditional roots with a luminous contemporary touch, earning her accolades including liveIRELAND’s Newcomer of the Year and Ireland Tonight’s Female Vocalist of the Year.