It’s Official Trad Has Become Cool Again – Enter, MOXIE

It's not news to anyone that Ireland and music go hand in drunken hand. 

But, it takes a group like MOXIE to really show us how really, bloody talented our nation is, and how traditonal music is in truly safe hands for years to come. 

MOXIE is made up of five gifted lads, Cillian Doheny (tenor banjo/guitar), Jos Kelly (button accordion/keyboard), Darren Roche (button accordion), Ted Kelly (tenor banjo/electric guitar) and Paddy Hazelton (percussion), all hailing from Limerick or Sligo.  Meeting at the Willie Clancy Festival in Miltown Malbay, they realised they had something special and started arranging music. And in 2011, MOXIE was born. 

Since then, they've played with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Meeting House Square as part of Culture Night, on The Saturday Night Show with Brendan O'Connor and at one of Michael Higgins' garden parties - not too shabby! Then, didn't Michael D only go and ask them back to play for the German president and his wife when they visited. 

They have an unbelievable live presence that is truly captivating - just check them out here at the Festival Internacional de Ortigueira 2014 to see for yourself.

The name MOXIE means the ability to face difficulty with courage and spirit - which comes through in their music, composed by all five band members. Their combined traditional background, with hints of jazz and progressive, world music sets them miles above the rest.

They're just about to embark on their Australian tour, supported by the lovely folk at Culture Ireland, but catch them before they go at the Banjo and Bovril Trad Festival in The Harbour Bar, Bray on the 30th of January. You won't regret it!

READ NEXT: You Can Now Get A Bed With A Cute Little Space For Your Pet Below.