Breton folk and traditional musicians Ampouailh and Charlie Le Brun will play Monroe’s Live in May as part of Brittany Fest Galway 2025.
The concert, on Friday, May 16 at 8pm, aims to give Galway a taste of the traditional Breton Fest Noz “night party” music event. This promises to be a highlight of the festival, which is celebrating 50 years of the Galway-Lorient twinning.
Ampouailh have won acclaim for blending modern sounds and textures with a traditional music deeply grounded in the rich cultural traditions and history of Brittany. They view their music as being for both dancers and trad music connoisseurs to enjoy equally.
The concert will be significant for the quintet, Simon Lotout (Bombardes ), Yuna Léon (violins ), Rémi Bouguennec (flute ), Heikki Bourgault (guitar ), Gwylan Meneghin (bass ). This will be the first date of Ampouailh’s Iwerzhon Tour (‘Iwerzhon’ is Breton for ‘Ireland’ ).
Charlie Le Brun is making his first return to Galway since 2023. A flute player, singer, and composer, he performs Celtic songs and plays traditional Breton and Irish tunes on the wooden flute. He sings in Breton, French, English, and as Gaeilge.
From Rennes in eastern Brittany, Le Brun grew up in a family steeped in traditional music and cites Alan Stivell, Yann Tiersen, Sinead O’Connor, and The Chieftains as inspirations.
A recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Le Brun draws on Celtic myth and legends in his songwriting. He shares his passion for Breton culture through performances of songs from the Breton region.
There will also be displays of Breton dancing from the Cercle Brizeux Lorient for this night of cross-cultural connections between two Celtic nations.
