"The best folk singer of his generation" Q Magazine

Music Capital Presents: Seán Keane

Friday 16th Oct 2026

St Augustine's Church, Derry

Doors 6.45pm - Show Starts 7.30pm

Advance Online Tickets Price - £26.50 +bf

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Seán Keane, from County Galway, is widely regarded as one of the great musical discoveries of the 1990s. Rooted in traditional Irish music, yet equally at home in folk, country and blues, his unmistakable voice and deeply emotional delivery have made him a favourite with audiences around the world.

Raised in a family of singers and musicians, Seán learned the sean-nós style from his mother and aunts, with music shaping his life from early childhood. By his teenage years, he had already won thirteen All-Ireland medals at Fleadh Cheoil competitions and had become an accomplished whistle and flute player, later adding the uilleann pipes and bodhrán to his repertoire.

Seán’s early career saw him tour extensively across Europe with his first band, Shegui, before joining Reel Union alongside his sister Dolores and accordion virtuoso Máirtín O’Connor. He later became a member of Arcady, performing with renowned musicians including Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.

After brief appearances on stage with Druid Theatre’s Midnight Court and the Abbey Theatre’s Sheep’s Milk on the Boil, Seán launched his solo career in 1993. His debut album All Heart, No Roses received widespread acclaim and was named Debut Folk Album of the Year by Q Magazine. What followed was a remarkable run of success, including multiple Meteor Award nominations, three Irish Music Magazine Best Male Folk Performer awards, honours from the London Irish World, and numerous Irish accolades.

His album A Portrait became a multi-platinum seller, and all of Seán’s solo releases have achieved platinum status, remaining in constant demand. Now more than six solo albums into his career, Seán continues to captivate audiences with powerful live performances and timeless recordings, touring regularly across Ireland, Europe, the US and Canada, and appearing at major festivals worldwide.

Seán’s tenth solo album, New Day Dawning, has been warmly received by fans, adding to a catalogue that includes much-loved songs such as Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears, Galway to Graceland, Home and Home Away From Home. Newer material including Paint Me a Picture of Ireland, Nature’s Little Symphony, Don’t Teach Me How to Cry and One More Hour has quickly become part of the fabric of his live shows.

Please note: this is an all-ages event. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has also purchased a ticket. This is a strictly alcohol-free event, and there will be no bar on site.

Description supplied by the event organiser.