The Celtic Festival as a Cultural Experience - An inside Look at the Tide that has Lifted Celtic Music

Interview with Marcille Wallis

We spoke to Marcille Wallis, President of Celtic Heritage Productions (CHP), to gain her perspective from observing Celtic festivals since 2000 when CHP began operations.

Wallis has witnessed the growth in the popularity of Celtic music and the bands that are contributing to the surge in attendance and the awakening of Celtic identity.

1. Can you share your thoughts on the popularity of Celtic Festivals?

Music has universal appeal. A Highland Games or Irish festival may have limited appeal to one who is not Scottish or Irish; perhaps it's even a bit intimidating to attend a cultural event for one who is not familiar with the culture! But if the music appeals to you and draws you in, you may be inspired to seek other similar listening experiences, or to find out more about the culture behind the music. Celtic rock has helped to ignite the popularity of the Celtic Festival as a cultural experience.

2. Contrast the role of traditional Celtic music and Celtic Rock in the Festival venue.

Traditional Celtic music, particularly the instrumental jigs and reels or old ballads, can sometimes need a little bit of context, a little bit of prior knowledge/experience, to be truly appreciated. In that way, it is similar to "classical" music or to old American folk songs, which are sometimes perceived as being somewhat elitist as to their appeal. However, for most of us, rock was/is a part of our youth -- we immediately understand and connect to it on some level. If a Celtic rock band has attracted listeners to a festival which also features more traditional Celtic performers, the listeners will often discover the more traditional performers. The tide created by Celtic rock bands -- and also by commercial productions like Celtic Woman or Celtic Thunder -- has lifted all forms of Celtic music.

3. You work with bands such as Albannach and Rathkeltair.  What impact do bands like this have on attendance at Celtic Festivals?

The influence of bands like Rathkeltair and Albannach on the growth in attendance at Celtic Festivals is significant. The percussive music of Albannach is highly approachable, even for those who do not have a drop of Celtic blood, or who do not identify with their Celtic background. Percussion is universal to all musical cultures -- it is in fact the oldest form of music. Though they're fiercely proud of their Scottish heritage, Albannach is essentially a tribal band whose music transcends cultural labels.

Rathkeltair's transcendant appeal is in their storytelling. Whether they're singing a "protest" song based on an actual historical event (Pound A Week Rise) or telling a boy-meets-girl tale that ends in tragedy (Vincent Black Lightning), Rathkeltair's listeners can identify the stories as being universally human. We all know that one person who thinks the world revolves around them (Pretty Too); we all remember that scary town character that our mothers told us to beware of (Durty Wullie).

Thus bands like Albannach and Rathkeltair are great ambassadors for Scottish and Celtic music generally. They touch people because they, and their music, are approachable. They connect with listeners in performance, and they are also accessible to fans who want to talk more in depth about the music or about Celtic culture.

4. You perform with Marcille Wallis & Friends.  Can you tell us about your group and your pans for 2016?

My group (Marcille Wallis & Friends) has performed primarily in Florida, and a bit in North Carolina, in very recent years. However, we've decided that we want to take our show a little further on up the road in 2016 -- we've actually set our sights on Maine, and are working toward a small tour in Maine during the month of July. Everyone in the band is in great musical demand and has a number of side projects, so it's going to be a challenge, but a very rewarding challenge. We're also talking about the possibility of a new recording project. We're not just band-mates but good friends as well, so the creative ideas flow along with the laughter and the camaraderie.