How Lúnasa Keeps Irish Trad Fresh After 25 Years, With Kevin Crawford

Snow shut down the roads, but not the stories. Kevin Crawford of Lúnasa joins us from a blizzard-bound hotel to talk about six weeks of U.S. shows, moonshine left by a kindly janitor, and the art of keeping Irish traditional music fiercely alive. From early stops in Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island to a push toward Philadelphia, we travel the tour’s rhythms and hear how lineup shifts reshape the band’s sound without losing its heartbeat. We get into the real engine of Lúnasa’s longevity: arrangements that treat the backline as equal storytellers. Kevin breaks down how bass and guitar need hooks, counterpoint, and harmony to make the pipes, fiddle, and flute truly sing—why some “great” tunes get tossed if they don’t spark across the whole band. He reflects on American audiences who’ve shown up since 1999 and still fill the rooms, and on the band’s choice to keep politics offstage, offering a communal space where rhythm, lift, and melody give people a breather from the day. If you love process, you’ll appreciate the Kyoto story. Live from Kyoto wasn’t a “best of”—it’s a live album of new material, recorded over three sweaty nights in a 250-cap club packed with musicians and trad fans. Jet lag blurred the edges, the crowd elevated the set, and most of the final cut came from night one. We also talk streaming vs. albums, why gigs are the new storefront, and Kevin’s devotion to vinyl digging between tours. For first-timers, he shares what to listen for: the pulse that makes feet move, the layers you can peel back, and the rare chance to hear masterful uilleann pipes up close. Join us for road tales, craft talk, and a preview of Lúnasa’s Detroit date at the Gaelic League. If the music moves you, share this with a friend, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. https://www.lunasamusic.com/ https://irishmusicinstitute.org/events/

Added 5 Oct 2026