Anglo-Irish fiok group The Haar will tour the UK this Spring in support of their acclaimed new album The Lost Day, and will be bringing their powerful, spontaneous re-imagining of traditional song to Ashburton Arts centre next month.

The quartet combines the staggering musicianship of Molly Donnery (vocals), Adam Summerhayes (fiddle), Murray Grainger (accordion) and Cormac Byrne (bodhrán).

The Haar has its origins in a chance meeting between Adam, Cormac and Molly at a trad session at Craiceann Bodhrán Festival, Inis Oírr, resulting in an improvised live performance recorded by the shipwreck of the Plassey on the wild Atlantic seafront. It was to become typical of the unique ‘live reactive composition’ that characterises their music.

With the addition of master accordionist Grainger, they entered the studio at the end of 2019 to record their debut album ’The Haar’ with no plans or arrangements, guided only by the live musical landscapes they created – the music was recorded as it flowed, often in the first and only take.

Their current album The Lost Day is a coming of age album, rich in poetic storytelling, emotional depth and forward looking energy that has become synonymous with the band’s authentic musical expression.

The Lost Day marks a major step for the group, a richly textured collection that moves through longing, remorse, hope and celebration, delivered with clarity, lift and intensity. Their approach transforms well known songs into vivid contemporary experiences while retaining their emotional truth.

With a fast growing grassroots following and standout appearances at major arts centres and festivals, The Haar are widely regarded as one of the most distinctive and compelling live acts on the UK and Irish folk scene.

Tickets for the gig at Ashburton Ashburton Arts Centre on April 14 can be booked at https://ashburtonarts.org.uk.