For six decades, Derek Warfield has been one of the great voices of Irish balladry — founder and frontman of the original Wolfe Tones for nearly 40 years, and now leading a vibrant new generation of musicians as Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones.
Formed in 2008, The Young Wolfe Tones bring together some of Ireland’s finest young traditional musicians: Damaris Woods (banjo), Andreas Durkin (keyboard/vocals), Eddie Kane (guitar/vocals) and Paddy McGrandles (flute/vocals). Together with Warfield, they carry forward a proud tradition of storytelling in song — ballads and rousing choruses that capture the heart of Ireland’s history and spirit.
The band has toured the world, from Carnegie Hall to the National Folk Festival in Canberra, and plays major festivals across the United States each year. In 2016, they marked the centenary of the Easter Rising with a performance outside Dublin’s GPO — an unforgettable moment in their career.
With twelve acclaimed albums since 2001, including On the One Road, A Nation Once Again and their latest, Let The Free Birds Fly, the band combines authenticity with youthful energy — honouring the old songs while bringing them thrillingly to life for new audiences.
Expect a set full of passion, humour, history and unforgettable singalong choruses. Whether you know every word or are hearing these songs for the first time, this is a performance not to be missed — a living link in Ireland’s great balladeering tradition, and one of the most joyful, rousing shows on the festival circuit.