Frigg
Amazing Finnish band Frigg are celebrating 25 Years this year. They have performed all over the world but almost unbelievably, this is their first ever Irish show, sure where else could it be.
"Massive groove and energy, powerful virtuosity, beautifully structured and inventive". These were the words used by Andrew Cronshaw in the esteemed international world music magazine fRoots when reviewing Frigg's debut album in 2002. Now, as the band celebrates its 25th anniversary, it boasts a resume that is unmatched.
Frigg has captivated audiences worldwide with their fusion of Nordic folk music and various Western folk styles, a sound that the world music media has coined "nordgrass," referring to the band's bluegrass influences. Their finely tuned ensemble playing, featuring violins, string instruments, and double bass, combined with their sparkling live energy, has left a lasting impression on listeners across the globe.
Often, people marvel at the band's ability to leap from Nordic polskas and American roots rhythms to Balkan beats, Celtic nuances, and even classical music realms - all within a single performance, as if multiple bands were sharing the stage!
The band has numerous European tours and countless North American tours under its belt. Many renowned festivals have been part of their extensive tour map, including WOMADelaide, Rainforest World Music Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Through television and radio, Frigg has reached millions of viewers and listeners with performances on A Prairie Home Companion live radio show appearances and NHK World Japan's El Mundo program. Throughout its existence, Frigg has released eleven albums. Notably, three of these albums have been featured on the "Top of the World" list by the leading world music magazine, Songlines. Additionally, fRoots, SingOut!, and Rhythms have frequently highlighted the band with prominent articles and ravereviews. Frigg's albums have consistently been at the top of the two largest international world music charts: the World Music Charts Europe and the Transglobal World Music Chart.
The year 2025 marks the beginning of a new era in Frigg's history, with a new album, lineup, and exciting collaboration projects. To celebrate their anniversary, the band will release a new album, which will be launched with release concerts at, among others, the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, the Vienna Concert House, the Savoy Theater in Helsinki, and the Lotus Festival in the United States, where the band has a large following. The album release will introduce a new six-member lineup, bringing fresh perspectives to Frigg's already rich musical world. In addition to their own concerts, the year will bring unique joint projects with, for example, the Kamus String Quartet and the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, as well as several symphony orchestras in the Folkfonia concerts. The year 2025 will be a year of celebration, innovation, and renewal. It is a tribute to the band’s past years and a step towards an exciting future!