Exclusive show

Published on 1st May 2008 in Ents

Scottish six-piece Shooglenifty are, without doubt, one of the most innovative and exciting bands of recent years and on Friday, May 9, they play at Selby Town Hall as part of exclusive series of shows. 

While grounded in a traditional Celtic sound, the band's music genuinely defies categorisation and includes mentions for Captain Beefheart, The Fall and modern ambient/techno artists. 

Formed in Edinburgh in 1996, Shooglenifty began life with a residency at the La Belle Angele pub and quickly drew a strong fanbase for their energised, contemporary roots material.

Fast forward 12 years and the six-piece have completed another whistle-stop year of touring taking in France, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Italy and Tenerife as well as UK appearances.

Previous career highlights include performing for Prince Charles, Nelson Mandela and Emperor Akihito of Japan (not all at once) and playing in Cuba a full year before the Manic Street Preachers' much-vaunted Louder than War gig in 2001. Back in 1996, meanwhile, Shooglenifty became the first band ever to incite a stage invasion at Sydney Opera House.

The Shooglenifty sound marries traditionally based tunes - primarily Scottish in style, but featuring a wealth of other world-music flavours - with the rhythmic energy, inventiveness and sophistication of contemporary dance music. Such a description though hardly begins to capture the dazzling multi-layered intricacy, exquisitely jewelled lyricism and intoxicating, coruscating grooves that are Shooglenifty's hallmarks. The band's own, none-too earnest attempts at capsule descriptions include 'hypno-folkedelic ambient trance' and 'acid croft'.

Shooglenifty have been hailed as one of the key pioneers, and continuing frontrunners, in the field of Celtic/clubland fusion.

The Afro Celt Sound System might be market leaders, but where they, by their own admission, have only latterly evolved from a studio project into an actual band, Shooglenifty have been the real deal all along.

UK festival appearances have included sets at the Bracknell, Sidmouth and WOMAD as well as a prime time main stage slot at last years Cambridge Folk Festival. These were universally well-received, despite the fact that the band's influences are much wider than the average Celtic revivalists.

Chris Jones, Town Council arts officer, said: "Shooglenifty are a bit of a coup for the Town Hall.

"If you have an interest in music, then you'll have an interest in Shooglenifty. Theirs is a truly eclectic sound borrowing from the most diverse of genre's and cultures to produce astounding and unique melodies."

Tickets for the May 9 performance are on sale from 01757 213758 priced at £10, or they can be picked up on the door for £12. Door for the 8pm show open at 7.30. For more information go to www.selbytownhall.co.uk.