7/22/2024
Performances and Artists
Like a bolt of lightning, Celtic Thunder arrived on the international scene with much fanfare in 2007.
The theatrical Irish singing group’s very first concert – at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland – was filmed and released as inaugural DVD Celtic Thunder: The Show. And Celtic Thunder began garnering immediate media attention, earning Billboard magazine’s Top World Album Artist award in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Since that red-hot start, Celtic Thunder has remained a force on the world stage, selling out venues around the globe and releasing a string of popular albums
Here are three reasons to make sure you’re there when Celtic Thunder hits the Reynolds Hall stage.
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New show Odyssey marks a new adventure.
As always, Celtic Thunder will bring four powerful vocalists and the talented and versatile Celtic Thunder Band to the stage. This time, however, they’ll be collaborating on a set of all-new material, collectively known as Odyssey.
That word implies a significant journey, and that's exactly what audiences will take – a sweeping voyage through the heartlands of traditional Irish music, the rhythmic pulse of contemporary Irish sounds and the innovative original arrangements that are emblematic of the Celtic Thunder experience.
Celtic Thunder’s shared musical chemistry, steeped in their Irish heritage, gives the show compelling power, while each member adds a distinctive voice and charm as the Odyssey songbook weaves a rich tapestry of emotional and musical tones.
The band features guitars, violin, piano, keyboards, percussion instruments and more.
Odyssey is not simply a concert. It's a powerful theatrical experience that honors Celtic Thunder's rich musical legacy while blazing new trails.
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It’s must-hear music.
Odyssey includes a diverse range of material, allowing Celtic Thunder to showcase its remarkable abilities. For example …
“Go Lassie Go” infuses new life into a traditional folk song with vibrant harmonies and fresh interpretations.
“City of Chicago” stands as a poignant tribute to the Irish diaspora, weaving heartfelt lyrics with evocative melodies.
“The Parting Glass” is an iconic classic from the annals of Irish music, delivered with profound emotion that reverberates through the soul.
And “Sailing” is a tender ballad showcasing Celtic Thunder’s ability to convey profound emotions through seamless vocal harmonies and emotionally charged performances.
Celtic Thunder’s two-set performance will also feature numbers from beyond the boundaries of Odyssey, including older material by the group and well-known covers. Without spoiling anything with specific titles, we can say that a recent setlist included songs by artists as diverse as U2, Steve Earle and Hal Ketchum.
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It will be a Gleeful occasion.
Celtic Thunder’s four current members/vocalists are Neil Byrne, Emmet Cahill, Damian McGinty, and Ronan Scolard.
All of them have impressive credentials, having worked with top names and received prestigious honors during their careers. But McGinty’s résumé, in particular, includes a credit that should be of specific interest to Smith Center regulars: Glee.
McGinty competed on Season 1 of reality TV show The Glee Project back in 2011 and ultimately won, earning a seven-episode story arc on popular Fox series Glee.
McGinty played Irish exchange student Rory Flanagan, a sophomore attending William McKinley High School during Season 3 of Glee – a role that was extended to 18 episodes before his character returned to Ireland.
Glee’s television run ended in 2015, but its many fans remain loyal to its former cast members, so it will be exciting to have one onstage here in Las Vegas.