BELFAST ANDI

Andriù MacGabhann, or Belfast Andi as he is fondly known has played the traditional music circuit for many years. 
Originally from Belfast, Ireland, he has played major Folk music festivals in Ireland, Scotland and England along with various 'Irish Pubs' scattered in France, Germany even as far as the Greek islands in the Aegean. This may very well explain the slightly gypsy feel that seeps into his music. 
As a songwriter and guitarist, Andi reels through classic and contemporary ballads, with the occasional chant accompanied by the tribal rhythm of the bodhràn (Irish hand drum). 
Now based in Montreal, his musical adventures continue. He has played in several Celtic & Folk Music Festivals in Quebec & Ontario such as Montreal Celtic Festival, Montreal Highland Games, Ville Marie Feis, Mémoire Racines, Festival Bières et Saveurs and Brockville Celtic Festival just to name a few… He has also been featured on CBC Radio One St-Patrick’s Day Special, Radio Centreville and Mohawk Radio, Kahnesatake, Quebec. 
As a host of Traditional Irish Music Sessions since 1997, Andi has brought the “true voice” of the native Ulsterman to many a late night and early morning gatherings here in his adopted home of Montreal. Now a Canadian citizen, he is still the only Irish born singer and guitarist on the Montreal "Celtic Music" scene. As a bridge builder between Irish and Québec musicians he has made several appearances on Global T.V., CFCF, Vision T.V. and TQS. 
In 1992 Andi teamed up with founder of Quebec super group “Bard” and Gemini Award winner Chris Crilly to perform at “The Irish Summer” a series of concerts in Quebec City to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish famine.
In 2004 Andi and local band Swift Years, opened for and played with renowned Irish vocalist Moya Brennan of the legendary Donegal folk group “Clannad” at Cabaret du Plateau (Montreal, Quebec.)
When Belfast flutist Desi Wilkinson (Crann) taught for Concordia’s Irish Studies Program in the summer of 2004, Andi was a musical guest of fellow Irishman Desi at the Corona Theatre (Montreal, Quebec) for the spectacular show “Irlande sur le Saint Laurent”, also on the bill where many of Quebec’s finest musicians and dancers. As a traditional and contemporary vocalist, Andi has recorded songs with some of the best musicians Canada has to offer. 
His latest recording is a solo album, “ALL THAT GLITTERS” named after a self-composed song. A break from the traditional Celtic music genre. With the help of the eclectic groove of local band Swift Years, this album is a raw blend of Irish and North American Folk Roots. You can’t take the “Roll” from an old “Rocker”. In his own words, with a North of Ireland lilt, "aya sure it's all part of the craic". The 'craic' being the Gaelic word for 'good fun'.