Afro Celt Sound System: This is one of the first and most successful bands to blend irish trad with african music and lots of dance beats & electronic effects. James McNally, one of the masterminds of the band, is also an all-Ireland champion in the bodhrán and uses it often in their music.
Flook: A must for every bodhrán fan. Great high-speed flute & whistle arrangements of both traditional tunes and beautiful new compositions, backed by guitar and the most famous bodhran player on the planet: John Joe Kelly. Winners of the BBC folk award 2006 and numerous other prices.
Beoga: Two boxes, fiddle, keyboard and percussion. Band of the incredible Eamon Murray on bodhrán. Watch him play, close your eyes and wonder why there is no drumkit....I learned a lot from him for my playing.
Emer Mayock: I discovered this flute player as I was looking who plays the pipes at the Afrocelt Sound System. She´s got two albums out, trad stuff with very good fellow musicians. Brilliant own compositions including a 13/8-piece. Good luck in drumming along with that !
Darren Maloney: Another example for lots of beautiful self-composed tunes in a great & sometimes very percussive arrangement. Since I have started to play the banjo, this is my hero.
Lunasa: If you haven´t done so, go and buy all their albums ! Period. Their way of interpreting irish music is full of tension, precision and a "rocky" drive. I guess they would even make the most boring tune sound interesting to me.
Michael McGoldrick: Flute wizard and co-founder of both Lunasa and Flook, now going his own ways to interpret irish trad in a modern blend of instruments. Lots of frequent collaborations with the best musicians around.
Solas: Great tune interpretations, both traditional and self-composed, plus beautiful singing. A friend mentioned: To join a session, you should at least know the tunes that the Bothy Band and Solas play. Check out the "boy/girl-tune".
Shooglenifty: A fine Scottish example of crossover between trad, rock and dance. One of the very few bands that feature mandolin as the main instrument. Again: Nice self-written tunes.
Peatbog Faeries: A wild bunch of musicians form the Isle of Sky that tear down the boundarys between folk and dance. They even use horn sections on their latest album "Croftwork", and it fits perfectly. Party music for folk lovers.
Xosé Manuel Budino: This galician gaita player should be definitely as well known as Carlos Nunez. Highly danceable funky tune arrangements. Very modern. Lots of fine sound samples on his website. Numerous collaborations including Capercaillie.
Comas: Multi-national folk band based in Belgium. Jackie Moran on bodhrán and percussion. Experts in playing extra-ultra-ultra fast.