Emma Sweeney is a fiddle player from Manchester whose unique style combines her traditional Irish background with a fusion of world influences, drawing on her experience of teaching music in India.

A distinguished and experienced live performer, Emma has played alongside a whole raft of traditional musicians, including Mike McGoldrick and John Doyle, both of whom will be joining us for the next Costa del Folk in Portugal from October 2^nd to 6^th, 2016. Emma has also recently supported Paul Weller in a guest appearance with The Rails.

In a review of one of her live shows, Songlines said that “Emma’s control of the fiddle was enviable, and it really seemed an extension of her arm as she played through speedy, intricate phrases and slides with gentle ease”.

Released in January 2013 and produced by McGoldrick, her first album, Pangea, brings together a diverse mixture of traditional jigs and reels, fluidly blended with Emma’s own compositions. It also features a bluegrass waltz, an Indian-influenced piece and an original take on Nick Drake’s A Place to Be

For her appearance at the Costa del Folk, Emma will be joined by highly-rated bodhran and cajon percussionist Cormac Byrne and well-respected guitarist Jack Rutter, known for his highly rhythmic tune backing, flatpicking and fingerstyle playing. Jack can also be seen at the festival as a member of the award-winning Moore Moss Rutter.

“A classy debut.” – The Guardian

“Jaw-dropping stuff that will engage both musician and layman alike.” – UK Folk Music