LEADING BRETON folk and traditional musicians Ampouailh and Charlie Le Brun will play Monroe’s Live in May as part of Brittany Fest Galway 2025.

The concert takes place on Friday 16th May at 8pm and will give Galway a taste of the traditional Breton Fest Noz “night party” music event. This promises to be a highlight of the Festival which is celebrating 50 years of the Galway-Lorient Town Twinning.

Ampouailh have won acclaim for blending modern sounds and textures with a traditional music deeply grounded in the rich cultural traditions and history of Brittany, and they view their music as being for both dancers and trad music connoisseurs to enjoy equally.

The concert will be significant for the quintet - Simon Lotout (Bombardes), Yuna Léon (violins), Rémi Bouguennec (flute), Heikki Bourgault (guitar), Gwylan Meneghin (bass). Not only will it be the first date of Ampouailh’s Iwerzhon Tour (Iwerzhon is Breton for Ireland), but Galway has the honour of hosting their debut show in Ireland - a very appropriate event for the Galway-Lorient 50th celebrations.

Charlie Le Brun is making his first return to Galway since 2023. A flute player, singer, and composer, he performs Celtic songs and plays traditional Breton and Irish tunes on the wooden flute and sings in Breton, French, English, and as Gaeilge.

From Rennes in eastern Brittany, Charlie grew up in a family steeped in traditional music and cites Alan Stivell, Yann Tiersen, Sinead O’Connor, and The Chieftains as his inspirations.

A recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Charlie draws on Celtic myth and legends in his songwriting while also sharing his passion for Breton culture through performances of songs from the Breton region.

There will also be displays of Breton dancing from the Cercle Brizeux Lorient for this night of cross-cultural connections between two Celtic nations - a show no trad music fan will want to miss.

For more information and booking go to https://monroes.ie/collections/live, www.ampouailh.com, and charlielebrun.bandcamp.com.