London

The Johnny Quinn Macs

Francis McIlduff ~ John McSherry ~ Brendán Quinn
The Johnny Quinn Macs

These three phenomenal musicians first got together as a trio at Belfast’s Féile Trad Trail in August 2022, where the depth of their musical connection and rapport was instantly evident, so much so that they decided to record an album together. Wanting to keep their sound as authentic as possible, they opted to record in Redbox Studios, the working home of good friend and musical comrade, Dónal O’Connor.

Playing live as a trio instead of multi-tracked separate takes, the album was recorded in sixteen hours and mixes traditional and modern tunes with Brendan’s contemporary songwriting. With “dualling” uilleann pipes, soaring whistles, interweaving harmonies, rock steady bodhran and guitar grooves, the tunes and songs are delivered with a confidence, energy and drive that only a live approach can create.

Francis McIlduff, a member of the legendary McPeake musical family from Belfast, was immersed in traditional Irish music from an early age. He debuted with the family band Clann McPeake in the 1980’s, and has gone on to play with leading outfits including Alias Ron Kavana, Afterhours, Sin É and more recently At First Light, the band in which Francis and John first created the “double pipes” sound that has become their trademark.

John McSherry is a major figure in Irish/Celtic music and is hailed as one of the finest exponents of the Uilleann Pipes in the world today. He is a composer, producer, arranger, and established studio session musician of world renown, having recorded and performed with artists including Sinéad O’Connor, Rod Stewart, Nanci Griffith, Gary Kemp, The Corrs and Clannad. He has recorded a plethora of albums, both solo and collaborative and has performed all over the world as a founder member of top trad bands Lúnasa, Tamalin, Donal Lunny´s Coolfin, At First Light, Ulaid and Irish-American super-group the olllam.

Brendán has toured the world as a singer-songwriter and traditional accompanist for many years. Hugely influenced by his love of Irish music and the Irish language, his ability to convey the stories of strangers and his own experiences through song has created his distinctive, captivating style.

The Johnny Quinn Macs have become firm favourites for gigs and festivals at home and abroad, with notable appearances at Lorient Festival, Birmingham Tradfest, Wickham Festival, and London Jazz Café for St Patrick´s Day 2025.