Boston Fiddle Funk Folk Festival at The Armory
- Celtic
- Contemporary
- Fiddle
- Funk
This event takes place at Arts at the Armory in Somerville.
Boston based Scottish fiddle powerhouse Scottish Fish join forces with Neil Pearlman’s groundbreaking Celtic-Funk collective Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers for a high energy night of music with some of the country’s best Celtic, Funk and Jazz musicians under one roof!
Described as “both very traditional and highly flexible” by Folkworld Magazine’s Alex Monaghan, and as “one of the most energetic and creative acts to take root in the local Celtic music scene this century” by Boston Irish Reporter Sean Smith, Scottish Fish present a fiddle-forward infusion of original and traditional Scottish and Cape Breton music. After growing up steeped in the Boston Celtic music scene, these five young women began touring at an early age, quickly enchanting domestic and international audiences with their youthful enthusiasm, creative arrangements, and sensitive performances.
Neil Pearlman breaks down musical boundaries in Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers. Known for his unique approach to the keyboard in Celtic music, Pearlman (“a tremendous pianist” -BBC Radio Scotland) has assembled an all star cast for this Fiddle Funk Fest weekend, including drummer Pete Antunes (Tower of Power), saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste, Cory Wong), guitarist Jamie Oshima (The Oshima Brothers), fiddler Cullen Luper, trumpeter Emma Stanley, and bassist Noah Fishman.
All tickets have a $3 processing fee and a $2 preservation fee. The $3 processing fee is waived for tickets purchased at our box office.
Neil Pearlman and the Wallbreakers
- Celtic
- Funk
Neil Pearlman breaks down musical boundaries in Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers. Known for his unique approach to the keyboard in Celtic music, Pearlman (“a tremendous pianist” -BBC Radio Scotland) has assembled an all star cast for this Fiddle Funk Fest weekend, including drummer Pete Antunes (Tower of Power), saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste, Cory Wong), guitarist Jamie Oshima (The Oshima Brothers), fiddler Cullen Luper, trumpeter Emma Stanley, and bassist Noah Fishman.
In Neil’s words: “our world is full of divisions, walls, and borders between communities, countries, cultures, & ideas. I’m a firm believer that breaking down what separates us is a central piece of repairing the world and this project is an expression of that belief. We can honor and celebrate what makes each culture, community, and music genre unique while working together to make something brand new and have a great party!”
Scottish Fish
- Celtic
- Fiddle
- Trad
Scottish Fish present a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton music. After growing up steeped in the Boston Celtic music scene, these five young women began touring at an early age, quickly enchanting domestic and international audiences with their youthful enthusiasm, creative arrangements, and sensitive performances. As described by a concertgoer, “this powerhouse quintet wows listeners with a luscious and exciting sound, at times five instruments sharing one voice, and others a dynamic orchestra of harmony. Their years of friendship cultivate a truly unique musical bond. Their love for each other and the music they create is a gift they offer to anyone willing to listen.”
Scottish Fish have performed at a wide variety of venues and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, including Boston Celtic Music Festival, Bellingham Celtic Festival, and Festival de Ortigueira. Their music and performances have earned them features on WGBH, KALW, and in American Girl and Folkworld Magazines; attracted the attention of programs such as America’s Got Talent; and secured an international audience of over three hundred thousand followers across social media platforms. In 2017, the group released their debut album, “Splash,” and followed it with “Tidings,” a 5-track holiday EP, in 2019. Their newest record, “Upscale,” produced by pianist and composer Neil Pearlman, was released in October, 2022, marking the band’s ten year anniversary. Scottish Fish expect their third full-length album to be released in 2025.
Scottish Fiddler Hanneke Cassel has described the Scottish Fish sound as “both incredibly musical, and just a little unusual.”
“Individually they are all creative and talented,” writes Cassel, “and together they spark each other, pushing each other even further to make amazing music.”
