Michael McGoldrick

From his earliest years amid the gray industrial surroundings of Manchester, England, multi-instrumentalist Michael McGoldrick absorbed traditional Irish music through the example of his parents and the strength of his family’s cultural heritage. During adolescence he already performed regularly with Toss the Feathers, one of the city’s well-regarded Celtic-rock groups. His flute work, distinguished by its emotional force and vitality, soon attracted attention and opened doors to further projects with Afro Celt Sound System and Capercaillie. Recognition arrived in 2000 when the Irish Music Magazine Readers Poll named him Best Overseas Artist; in that same year he issued his debut album, Fused.