Local band to headline the Manchester Irish Festival

The Scattering

Rochdale-based band The Scattering will be playing six dates over the two main weekends of the Manchester Irish Festival.

Fiddle player and local music teacher Cliff Woodworth said; “We played at the festival the past two years but this marks a huge step up for us and we are looking forward bigger and louder audiences this time round. Playing a regular 7pm slot lets everyone know when we are on and picks up the night time revellers as well as those going for a quick drink after work.”

The Scattering play a style of Celtic rock music that blends traditional Irish with Cajun and Country Rock.

Accordionist Chris Wilkinson said: “We play a bit of everything really. From a bit a Klezmer to Gypsy, and from Mayo to Moscow, everything goes in the pot. We play all the standards you would expect from an Irish band, plus a whole lot more.

"O’ Driscoll’s holds about 600 people and we want everyone to come on down, celebrate and have a dance, Irish or not.”

The Scattering are regular visitors to The Flying Horse Hotel and will be dashing back to Rochdale to play their annual gig at the Flyer around 10.15pm on St Patrick’s night (17 March).

They are also headlining the Todmorden Folk Festival over May Bank Holiday.