Award-winning Irish musician's new band playing Galway gig

Astro Bloc, an Irish and Scottish fused four piece folk band, formed after a fun late night experiment at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections music festival - an experiment that has become an extraordinary success.

In just over a year, they have racked up a 100,000 follower fan base on Instagram as well as nearly 7,000 monthly listens on Spotify and you can get to experience them live in Monroe’s on Thursday October 8.

The band thrives on being bold and dynamic, creating a sound that embeds tradition while pushing the boundaries to kickstart and redefine the new folk scene.

Strong west of Ireland blood runs through the veins of Astro Bloc, fronted by multi-award-winning instrumentalist Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín from Mayo.

The accolades don’t just stop there for the band as Éadaoin is joined by BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Trad Musician of the Year Eryn Rae; internationally renowned percussionist Paul Jennings alongside the talented and innovative Gillie O’Flaherty.

Éadaoin’s west of Ireland roots can be heard vividly in their music as it intertwines with the rest of her band members’ mix of folk, fiddle, jazz and electronics often seeing a moment of music madness where things get a bit folk-feral according to the Mayo woman.

She told Galway Live: “It feels particularly special to be bringing Astro Bloc to Monroe’s. The band is best described as a Scottish-Irish contemporary folk band, blending traditional music from both sides of the Irish Sea with a bold, modern edge.”

Monroe’s will be their only show in the west as they promote their new single Haunted which comes out the week before the gig and is off their debut album.

Concerts in Derry and the famous Whelan’s in Dublin follow before the band head off on a six week stint in Germany.

You can find Astro Bloc on Spotify.