The Tom McConville Band

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Tom McConville

About the band and other collaborations

As well as performing solo at venues large and small throughout the UK and Europe, Tom tours with a variety of accompanists.

As a duo with David Newey or Andy Watt on guitar.

Tom also tours every year throughout the UK and Europe with amazing German guitarist Jens Kommnick.

“Wherever they play there is always that brand of magic - and standing ovations at the end of every performance. Pure genius”
John Leonard - Smooth Operations

Shona Kipling began playing accordion aged eleven; winning competitions run by Comhaltas and became UK champion twice, played in three all-Ireland finals and was a finalist in the BBC Young Folk Awards. Shona was the only female and only traditional musician out of 2000 applicants to be awarded the first BBC Fame Academy Bursary. She graduated from Newcastle University with a first class degree in folk and traditional music.

Playing a mixture of Irish, English, Scandinavian and self-penned material she recorded her debut CD "Pure Chance" and later “Box On” which earned Shona a nomination for the Horizon award in the BBC Folk Awards. Both albums have received excellent reviews.

Live performances of The Tom McConville Band combine a rollercoaster of musical delights from fast, rhythmic dance tunes through beautiful slow airs and of course, great singing with fantastic harmonies; all presented with that inimitable sense of humour and style.

Guitarist David Newey is a singer songwriter, and one of the most sought after accompanists in the business. He has toured with bands Rubus, Nandobinyan, Arlen and with Christi Andropolis. David’s driving rhythm and unique style, incorporating both fingerstyle and flatpicking, has taken him to all the major festivals and concerts throughout the UK, Europe and the USA.

Phil Murray introduced the acoustic bass guitar to the live music scene more than 30 years ago and is acknowledged as its finest exponent. His unique and innovative style adds power, drive and sensitive accompaniment to all elements of acoustic music. Phil currently records and tours with the indomitable Doonan Family Band. A founder member of the legendary Hedgehog Pie and folk rockers Jack the Lad, Phil has played major venues and festivals all over the world. He is a consummate pro whose humour and ability to engage an audience complements Tom’s dry Geordie wit.

“I so admire Tom McConville's music. He has given 40 years of dedication and passion to the folk scene and everybody loves him!”

Vin Garbutt

The Tom McConville band is surely the most entertaining, exciting four-piece operating on the festival circuit today. Fronted by the incendiary Fiddle playing of BBC Radio 2 Musician of the Year Tom McConville (who Seth Lakeman regards as his biggest influence), this band also features Shona Kipling, herself a BBC Folk Award nominee, and one of the finest accordion players in the country. Add to that David Newey's 'incredible, unique guitar playing' (BBC Radio 6), and Phil Murray - the man Mike Harding called 'the best acoustic bass player in Britain', and you have a force to be reckoned with. Whilst this band has a backbone in traditional music, you’ll hear country, jazz, blues and rock and roll, all being delivered by an acoustic four piece.

Tom ’s exceptional voice is bought to the fore with big choruses and a great choice of songs and tunes; one minute they’ll be tearing through a heart stopping set of Irish and Scottish reels – the next, you’ll be transported to a world of travellers and tradesmen, tricksters and true lovers. They’ve played every major festival, arts centre and theatre in the UK and take regular forays to Europe, and the crowds throng wherever they go. Entertainment, virtuoso playing and sheer enjoyment - The Tom McConville Band.