The Breath is, strictly speaking, a four piece band but at its core are guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer and flautist, Rioghnach Connolly who co-write all their songs. They have recorded versions of their songs as a band and as a duo and have played a few gigs as a duo too.
After watching Stuart play a solo set in Manchester about a year ago he agreed to bring the duo version of The Breath to Ryepiece. Originally the gig was scheduled for November just as Rioghnach landed the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year Award…but she was poorly after the birth of her first baby and we had to rearrange.
It was worth the wait.
Stuart’s playing was unbelievable. He’s surely one of the best guitarists in the world right now. (We’ll have to get him back to do a solo set some time). And Rioghnach’s voice was awesome.
What made the gig even more remarkable was that they’d played at Celtic Connections in Glasgow…the night before!
Baby Macha came along too and she was as good as gold – sat on dad’s lap – and fed before each set.
Ryepiece Concerts 