Irish Fest Camden SC Logo

March 1, 2025

Music

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Featuring

SYR

Returning to Irish Fest Camden for the 8th year is SYR (pronounced "sire"). The crowd favorite, Celtic folk rock band from Columbia takes inspiration from Celtic history, stories, and myth. SYR blends their own unique background to create powerful songs with themes like battle, love, heritage, and victory, celebrating the rich heritage of the Celtic Nations in a contemporary style with broad audience appeal. SYR's reputation for a high-energy performance has made them a welcome addition to many Celtic festivals and events, building a following across the U.S. and internationally.

Their much anticipated third CD dropped in January 2022. The band consists of siblings Kyle (lead vocals, guitar) and Laurel MacCallum (vocals, percussion), Kelly Vance (bass), Greg Vance (drums), and Worth Lewallen (violin).

For more information, visit their official website at www.syrmusic.com.

Syr 2023 website
Screaming-Orphans-W Photo Credit R. Laine
Screaming Orphans
Screaming Orphans are a chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from County Donegal, Ireland. The four Diver sisters - Joan, Angela, Gráinne and Marie Thérèse are known worldwide for their award-winning sound combining original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music. From an early age, the Diver sisters entertained international audiences around Ireland accompanying their mother, legendary céilí singer Kathleen Fitzgerald. The band has always defied being pigeonholed, having masterfully developed their own unique fusion of folk and pop. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony and mastery of their instruments combined with their highly energized performances take audiences of all ages on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey. Screaming Orphans’ pitch perfect harmonies have led them to many collaborations on recordings and stage with artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Baaba Maal, and Afro Celt Sound System. The band continues to tour and play extensively across America, Canada and Europe. As of this year, the band has released 16 albums, encompassing both original pop and folk/Irish music, as well as one Christmas album. Their albums Taproom, Life in a Carnival, Sunshine and Moss, and Paper Daisies have topped Billboard, iTunes and World Music charts.
Visit their website at: ScreamingOrphans.com
Steel City Rovers
Steel City Rovers
The Steel City Rovers perform dynamic and expressive music that is a unique composite of traditional Celtic music and North American styles including bluegrass, folk and roots. Their original works touch on issues of love, loss, celebration and heritage and they also breathe life into newly-discovered instrumental melodies from as far back as centuries ago. Their sophisticated arrangements are inviting for the most casual listener but are rewarding for those who are well versed in the nuances of musical complexity. The Rovers stand out for their powerful, emotive vocals and engaging entertainment. They perform on meticulously crafted replicas of historical instruments that rarely appear on today’s musical landscape. This highly active touring band headlines large festival stages, gives intimate concert performances, educates in a variety of workshop and master-class settings and performs internationally with symphonies. They create, collaborate and work hard to further the love and awareness of music. For more information, visit their website at: www.steelcityrovers.com
Cassie and Maggie (1)

Cassie & Maggie

Cassie and Maggie make their first appearance at Irish Fest Camden in 2025. With over 17 combined Canadian Folk Music, East Coast Music, and Music Nova Scotia awards and nominations, the JUNO-Nominated powerhouse duo emerge as an unstoppable force on the global folk stage. Unleashing a magnetic energy, they seamlessly weave their deep Celtic heritage with contemporary influences. Committed to not just preserving but also propelling Nova Scotia's folk traditions into new realms, Cassie and Maggie bring an exhilarating energy that is both timeless and irresistibly modern. Their eagerly anticipated 5th studio album, "Gold and Coal," poised to solidify their status as folk music trailblazers.

Visit Band Website
On The Lash Band

On The Lash

Inspired by the rich heritage of Irish traditional music, On The Lash brings a fresh and vibrant approach to timeless melodies. The band is dedicated to reinvigorating classic Irish songs with original interpretations, while also crafting their own unique compositions that stay true to the genre's essence. Their music is a testament to the enduring energy and adaptability of Irish musical traditions.


Embracing the spirit of Irish music, On The Lash seamlessly blends the old with the new. The band's performances are characterized by amazing vocal harmonies and precise musicianship. Their diverse setlist appeals to a wide range of audiences, from dedicated music enthusiasts to casual listeners. Described as 'mesmerizing', their live shows captivate audiences with a blend of skillful play and heartfelt passion.


On The Lash's unique style of Traditional Celtic music provides a refreshing experience for their listeners. This is especially notable in venues like pubs, where they have been praised for bringing something different to the table. Despite occasional tiredness from rigorous schedules, their performances never wane in quality. The band's talent and graciousness are frequently highlighted, making their shows memorable experiences that resonate with audiences for years.

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Broken Brogue

Broken Brogue is a four-piece Irish band based in Decatur, Illinois that plays a variety of Celtic music rooted in the time-honored artistic traditions of Ireland and Scotland. Noted for their relaxed and warm-hearted performing style, their performances are informed by the diverse musical backgrounds of the members. Their sentiment is always to bring people together through a mutual appreciation of the Celtic musical tradition and the sincere emotion and enjoyment that comes with it.

Thomas Hagan, is a Tyrone born singer, guitarist, banjo, and mandolin player. Thomas is currently working on immigrating to the USA permanently.

Neal Smith plays whistle, pipes, and keyboard. He is a professor of Music Education at Millikin University.

Jeff Elvin slaps the Bodhran and sings back up. He is a carpenter by trade but spent years playing snare in the St. Andrew’s Pipe Band before picking up the Bodhran.

Tara Ulis plays fiddle. She is a classically trained violinist who performed in the U.C.L.A. orchestra before moving to central Illinois. She has deep Irish roots: her grandmother was Irish born and she can remember as a child her grandmother speaking to her in Gaelic.

Visit Band Website
48 Fables Band
48 Fables

48 Fables is a Roots/Americana band based in Columbia, South Carolina. The band, known for its innovative approach and dynamic sound, has undergone several line-up changes and settled into a three-piece arrangement. This configuration has been described as the fullest and most complete sound the band has produced to date​​​​.


The band members include Kevin Brewer, who, in addition to his drumming duties, has taken on the role of lead vocalist. His voice has been described as slightly weathered and lived-in, providing a unique texture to the band's music. Bassist Kevin Pettit, who also contributes vocals, is known for his rousing shout on various tracks. Chris Howard, the guitarist, brings a variety of guitar tones and styles, adding to the band's diverse sound. Kevin Pettit's background in a local Celtic rock act, Loch Ness Johnny, allows him to bring an almost-Irish tune to the band's repertoire, enhancing their musical diversity​​.

EJ Campbell
EJ Campbell

EJ Campbell was born into Irish music. Raised on albums from the Wolfe Tones and Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, his parents laid the groundwork for what turned into a lifelong passion for Irish music, history, and culture. When he finally learned guitar at 17, teachings from mentors Dubliner Willie Lynch and Kevin Guerin from Clare brought his love for Irish music to life. EJ went on to hone his craft playing pubs and clubs in central and northern New Jersey.

Now, a multi-instrumentalist, EJ strives to keep traditional Irish music alive in the US, and odd performance or two in Ireland. He loves to take his audiences on a musical tour of all 32 counties with timeless folk tunes, rousing rebel hits, beautiful love ballads, and who doesn’t enjoy a good drinking song? A lover and student of Irish history, EJ proudly highlights Ireland’s ongoing struggle for freedom and independence.

EJ’s pride for his ancestral home shines throughout his performances. He’s “absolutely tickled” to return “home” each year to Irish Fest Camden, his favorite weekend of the year!

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Jenny and the Weazels

Jenny and the Weazels are a lively Celtic trio from Northeast Tennessee. The three of them- Keegan Luckey-Smith (bouzouki, guitar, vocals), Rheva Myhre (fiddle), and Jamie Constantopoulos (bodhrán, flute)- met in Johnson City, TN around 2014, when Jamie and Keegan started building houses together. Since then, the trio has taken on many forms and played together around the region in various configurations. By St. Patrick’s Day 2024, they had a steady residency at Mulligan’s Irish Pub in Johnson City and realized they needed a name since people kept asking. After weeks of intense brainstorming, Jenny and the Weazels surfaced and stuck. Now the band enjoys bringing Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes and songs to Celtic festivals, dances, weddings and other events around the southeast and beyond!

Visit their website: Jenny and the Weazels

Raglan Road
Raglan Road
Trip Rogers, a North Carolina native, is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and entertainer with Raglan Road. He has been performing Celtic music for over fifteen years and has a diverse musical background that includes southern rock and blues. Neil Anderson, a multi-instrumentalist, is best known as a founding member of Seven Nations, a Celtic Rock band. He has performed internationally with top artists in the Celtic genre. Both Rogers and Anderson bring a wide range of musical influences and experiences to Raglan Road, contributing to its unique sound
Carroll Brown Music
Carroll Brown

Raised on a farm near Camden, South Carolina, Carroll’s first music influences were church music and night time radio. His mother was the church pianist and taught him his first chords on the guitar. Traditional southern gospel and bluegrass would give way to Jim Croce and James Taylor as he entered college. The first paying jobs paid college tuition but would pave the way for his life’s work. He first tested the waters in New York but opted for Nashville, Tennessee. There, he worked with songwriters and music publishing and in various studios recording and helping produce nationally released records.


Family matters and money matters brought him back to South Carolina in 1981. He settled in Charleston, where he started a recording studio and music publishing business. A steady gig at the Mills House Hotel helped to pay for his growing family and the dream that refused to die. His family roots include Irish blood and his intense interest in the Irish music led to hosting annual visits to his ancestral homeland.


Today Carroll and his wife live on the family farm in Kershaw County where he was raised. Not much time for farming, but the gift of music his mother gave him is still his passion. He is still performing full time in venues and festivals around the southeastern U.S. and he is still writing songs and releasing new recordings.


Carroll’s albums and his performance schedule are on his website at www.carrollbrownmusic.com. You can learn about his overseas tours at www.facebook.com/4bigfun and catch his weekly live stream from the farm on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carroll.brown.161.

Brandon Mullis
Brandon Mullis

Brandon Mullis has been performing for more than 20 years, on stages ranging from your local pub to Carnegie Hall. He's a North Augusta, SC native who's been bringing his Irish songbook to Irish Fest Camden for three years running. Brandon has released two albums of his original songs: 2018's "The Crackpots and These Women," and the most recent release, "Highways and Stars," which are streaming on all major platforms (and for purchase at his performances). He tours regularly up and down the east coast from Florida to New England, bringing his songbook of more than 300 tunes to listeners from all walks of life..