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2026 HEADLINERS

Seven Nations

The story of SEVEN NATIONS is that of a truly original and determined band that began in New York City, with members now hailing from California, to Toronto, to Florida. They have for years booked their own tours,and have had their own PBS and CNN specials. Throw away any preconceived notions you may have about Celtic music...this is a band that has invented its own sound and attracted a prodigious national and international following. Seven Nations is not your father’s Celtic band. With a passionate, tender, and rollicking style that winningly veers from roots and folk to dance and fusion-rock, Seven Nations has earned a growing reputation as an adventurous band with a charismatic stage presence. “Seven Nations — the name refers to the seven original Celtic nations of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Galecia, Isle of Man, and Brittany — officially began in 1993 in New York City with a standard line-up of drums, guitars, and bass,” notes lead singer and guitarist Kirk McLeod. “We soon introduced bagpipes into the show, and over time the number of songs utilizing bagpipes grew until it became obvious that they were integral to our emerging sound,” says McLeod. “Most of the band members grew up playing Celtic music, and we’ve been performing original compositions since we began. Our instrumentation, and bagpipes and fiddle mostly, give us a distinctive sound and that’s what makes us different.” Seven Nations has been touring full-time since 1994 with successful stops in Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, and every state in the US including Alaska and Hawaii. The band has recorded a number of albums with over a half million units in sales. The band’s latest album, Tales from the Eighth Nations, has been praised for “having the appeal of the original albums, yet a mature songwriting style. The lyrics are relatable, surprising, and the pipe/fiddle hooks stir a desire to listen to the album over and over.” Its versatile and dynamic style has stamped Seven Nations as a highly book-able band, with an ever increasing and loyal fan base. The group has performed at a variety of venues, from nightclubs and theaters to festivals and street fairs. They’ve done it all. Recently, garnering the attention of the Orchestra world by including dates with several American orchestras, most notably the multi-Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the South Carolina Philharmonic. They also became the first Celtic rock band to bring this exhilarating collaboration to the stage at an outdoor Irish festival, when they performed an entire show with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at the Dublin Irish Festival. In addition, Seven Nations has played the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, a New Year’s Eve performance at Scotland’s Royal Mile for some 40,000 people, and at the New York City Marathon. Seven Nations has been the subject of a multi-million dollar advertising campaign and appeared in over 20 major publications including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Playboy, Maxim, GQ, Stuff, and FHM. 2024 is an exciting year for Seven Nations. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the band's first album release, Rain and Thunder, and the beginning of their nonstop mission to bring their unique brand of music to the masses through a multitude of live shows and constant touring. Now with 16 albums under their belt, the 30th anniversary of the band will mark the release of their 17th album Tales From The Eighth Nation Volume 2. This very special album will highlight the return of many of the prominent faces who have recorded and toured with the band over the last three decades. It will surely be a riveting and vitalizing year to join them for the ride!

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Old Blind Dogs

The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of the North East of Scotland on an international stage. Like many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands, the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band's musical heart continue to beat strong. The current band line up has been settled for several years now and consists of some of Scotland's finest traditional musicians at the top of their game. Original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals) is joined by Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/vocals) and Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and along with Mike Katz and/or Elias Alexander (pipes/whistles) they collectively comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today. As recent inductees to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 'Trad Music Hall of Fame' the 'Dugs' will celebrate thirty years on the road in 2022 by launching their fourteenth studio album 'Knucklehead Circus’ in Winter 2021. A joyous, uplifting and fun album full of compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm on which ‘OBD' continue to innovate within their tradition while faithfully revealing its essence. Here’s to many more years of Old Blind Dogs!

the commoners

This Irish Rock Band has been playing all over Colorado & the Western US since 2003. Playing a blend of original tunes, traditional Irish songs and our favorite jams.

Skean Dubh

Skean Dubh is an acoustic Celtic band, in the Colorado Rocky Mountain region.

Once Upon a Tune

Once Upon a Tune is a lively, traditional Celtic trio featuring the inspired, creative fiddle musings of Janel Vanderwarf, expressive guitar rhythms of Scott Steidley, and primal bodhran accompaniment of Mary Ellen Watterson, with the occasional song.

Avourneen

Denver-based trio that specializes in Irish folk, with some American, Scottish and other genres thro

The McDeviants

The McDeviants is a Colorado based Celtic Folk Rock Band that loves performing and taking our unique brand of music from the windows to the walls!

Indigent Row

Indigent Row injects energy and passion into music both centuries old and newly conceived, remaining true to the traditional Irish tunes while breathing fresh life into all that they play. Meter shifts, alternative harmonies and driving rhythms are the cornerstone of their approach as they nimbly dance the line between traditional and progressive music, blending rock, funk, jazz, folk and Celtic styles to make the songs their own. Combining original compositions with their own arrangements of traditional music, the band’s performances weave Celtic session tunes with songs of heroes and thieves, saints and scallywags, damsels and flea bitten tramps, breaking the rules and delighting their audiences. So get up off your arse and start dancing!

Chancer's Hooley

We play fun, sing-a-long, foot stomping Irish rock. We also like to slip in interesting classic rock songs that are familiar but not the ones that have been played to death.

Ballyhooley

Ballyhooley is comprised of two former members of Ceol Céilí. Cyndi Fallon (fiddle, bouzouki and vocals), and Steve Hart (Irish bouzouki, guitar and vocals) have been playing together for over 20 years, performing at the Colorado Irish Festival and Jack Quinn's Irish Pub in Colorado Springs. They perform the uplifting music and songs of Ireland and Scotland.

Queen City Pipe Band

Queen City Pipe band is a Grade III competition band based in Denver, CO!

Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance

Kari started the Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance in Evergreen Park, IL where she taught for almost 2 years. In 2020, Kari and her family moved to Colorado Springs, CO. She loves sharing her passion for teaching Irish dancing with the northern Colorado Springs & Monument area. With an all-volunteer organization of talent, staff and crew, the RenScots present interactive pavilions showing heritage crafts in an entertaining, family-friendly setting. The RenScots Mission is to bring the experience of Scottish life and heritage crafts to the Celtic community and public in an entertaining setting, and to educate about the contributions of the Scots to American culture. We make experiencing history fun! We also teach to help preserve heritage crafts by passing them on to a new generation. We invite YOU to join us, to explore this wonderful time in Scottish history, and the lasting contribution of the Scots in world cultural heritage.

Cask & Chisel

High-energy Colorado Celtic band bringing Scottish & Irish music, sea shanties, audience sing-alongs, and guided contra dancing to pubs, festivals, weddings, and special events.

Piscín & Luch

Rebecca & Mouse, a husband and wife duo extracted from the Irish rock band the commoners, bring a unique blend of trad Irish tunes, contemporary songs, and original music. Their performances capture the heart of Irish heritage while adding a modern twist.

Caitriona Irish Dance

Corkscrew Hill

Corkscrew Hill is a progressive Celtic folk band taking its main influences from Ireland, Scotland, and Nova Scotia. The band consists of Liam O’Beirne (whistles, vocals, and bodhran), Dennis Pelton, (guitars and vocals), and Jennifer Lee (fiddle and vocals). Their music is built on traditional Celtic songs and instrumentals, original music, with popular and lesser-known tunes from bands and musicians from around the world.

The RenScots

The Renaissance Scots Living History Association, a 501 (c) 3 educational nonprofit corporation, has been delighting attendees at Celtic events in the Rocky Mountain West for more than 25 years. The RenScots provide a village setting where the public experiences highland Scottish life and crafts from the time of William Wallace (Braveheart) through the Jacobite uprising against the English that ended so disastrously for the Scots on the battlefield of Culloden in 1745. With an all-volunteer organization of talent, staff and crew, the RenScots present interactive pavilions showing heritage crafts in an entertaining, family-friendly setting. The RenScots Mission is to bring the experience of Scottish life and heritage crafts to the Celtic community and public in an entertaining setting, and to educate about the contributions of the Scots to American culture. We make experiencing history fun! We also teach to help preserve heritage crafts by passing them on to a new generation. We invite YOU to join us, to explore this wonderful time in Scottish history, and the lasting contribution of the Scots in world cultural heritage.

Highland Coos - Rocking D O Ranch

Akela & John, along with Akela's parents Vicki & Bayani, moved to a humble, 5-acre homestead in the summer of 2023 with their three horses and four dogs. Even with all the dogs and horses, the four of them felt like the ranch could use some additions, so Rocking DO Ranch was born! The ranch has grown so much since we started, now featuring 31 head of cattle, 3 goats, and 21 chickens, along with the horses and dogs. We also manage nearly 300 acres of pasture land to keep our animals happy and free. But the best addition of all was Akela and John welcoming their twins in September 2024!

2026 ENTERTAINMENT

Whether you enjoy Celtic rock, folk or something in between, we have what you're looking for!

If you're interested in performing, contact our entertainment coordinator. entertainment@scottishgames.org