The Dardanelles – 2019 VFMF

Over the past 8 years The Dardanelles have established themselves as one of the most exciting groups ever to play Newfoundland Traditional Music on the global stage. After some years of playing bars in their native St. John’s, surprising promoters by packing in young people who don’t fit the mold of a ‘trad fan’, they quickly became a favourite of the Canadian festival circuit – being featured at Winnipeg, Vancouver and Mariposa Folk Festivals as well as headlining their home Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. Most recently they’ve brought their province’s music to ‘foreign shores’ performing in the UK, Australia and throughout the US.

They play traditional music not out of some duty or nostalgic obligation, but because they think it’s great music, uplifting melodies, and compelling stories – creating at atmosphere where at one moment you’re hypnotized by an unaccompanied ballad from Matthew Byrne, the next you’re sweating dancing to a set of traditional doubles. The Dardanelles are a new breed of folk musician with a wide sense of the world, out to show that Newfoundland traditional music is alive, vibrant, and powerful.