Formed in 1993, initially to raise money for local Irish language schools, Bréag have become one of the most refined and original of acts their kind. Over the last decade, having performed as far a field as Sri Lanka, Bréag have developed a Celtic fusion never before heard. The first generation of urban Gaelic speakers in modern Belfast, their Gaelic heritage permeates through their lyrics and music. With Eastern European and Latin American traditional styles, branched with roots of reggae and ska, Bréag give the listener, and inevitably the dancer, a unique musical experience.
Bréag have performed throughout Ireland, Europe and Asia, and have returned to the Basque country and Switzerland on numerous occasions. Having performed at the Sligo Arts Festival, Féile an Phobail and other festivals, Bréag have twice shared a stage with the infamous Jamaican reggae outfit The Wailers, as well as Shane McGowan, Bad Manners, Steel Pulse, The Beat, Mano Negra, Neville Staple, Alabama 3, Hothouse Flowers, Black 47, John Spillane, and Kila.
Bréag have made numerous television appearances on RTE, BBC, TG4 as well as performances on Sri Lankan, Basque and French television.
Bréag have released three albums first in 1995 with Jah Sa Jungal under their own label Comhcheoil. Not long after its release, Bréag were approached by Outlet Records and consequently recorded their second album Gan Jah. Bréag's latest album, An Peaca (sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge), was released in 2004 again on the Comhcheoil label. Performing on this recording is ex-Wailers, Natty Wailer.
What people say: "Bi-lingually stretching the language to new, unimagined possibilities and welding it to new musical forms...though the weight of traditional Irish songs still lies hauntingly at the bedrock of their sound" (President of the Gaelic League)
"They have been compared to sounds such as the Gypsy Kings and Bob Marley and the Wailers but now stand alone and unique" (Lá)
"Irish Language rockers Bréag are on a crest of a Caribbean wave. Their video for RTE directed by award winning Dearbhla Walsh, should be a collector's item" (Andersontown News)
For bookings and inquires contact CaoimhÃn on 0044(0)7825586514 or [email protected] or phone Nic on 0044(0)7871402633 / [email protected]
Bréag
