Lonesome George

Lonesome George's contemporary song-writing in both English and Irish language deals with love, life and revolution; addressing issues as wide-ranging as mental health, the treatment of refugees, mythology and the environmental crisis. These ideas are brought to life through a mixture of musical styles; multi-layered riff-led grooves; ethereal & ambient pieces, sometimes with a touch of melancholy; rip-roaring reels and other Irish dance rhythms; and a selection of flavours and styles from various genres interwoven to create a unique sound; changing from song to song, all while remaining rooted in the Irish tradition.

Known for their DIY spirit they have self-produced 2 albums and toured internationally (Ireland, England, Germany, Turkey, The Netherlands, USA, Canada, China). Last year saw BBC NI run a televised feature on their music in relation to activism in the arts. They performed their first US shows in The Dead Rabbit NYC, as well as headlining the The Belfast Empire and performing at The Deer’s Head for Belfast TradFest.

Lonesome George was the last of his species; a Pinta island (one of the Galapagos islands
off the coast of Ecuador) tortoise. He was famous for being one of the rarest creatures in the world; and as such was a symbol for many environmental conservationists. No-one was quite sure what age he was, and this timelessness was amplified by his species; the tortoise has been around since the time of the dinosaurs. This meeting of old and new worlds is also a metaphor for what the band have created; drawing on the ancient traditions of Ireland and combining them with modern influences and storytelling.