Page 23 - The 17th Percy French Festival: The Quest for Authenticity

Malachy is the lead singer and songwriter with acclaimed Irish band
The Riptide Movement, known for their dynamic live shows and heartfelt
songwriting. With a career spanning over two decades, the band has
released a string of critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally,
and continue as a driving force in Irish music. Amidst a packed schedule,
and fresh from performing at Glastonbury, Malachy will play a rare
solo performance at the Percy French Festival. This intimate set o3ers
a stripped-back glimpse into his soulful songwriting. Blending folk,
roots, and raw emotion, Malachy’s solo work reveals a quieter, more
personal side of one of Ireland’s most compelling voices.

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Ciara, who hails from Roscommon, is a mature song-writer with
a powerful voice. She delves into themes of reconnecting with
the inner-child, healing, and self-discovery. With a successful run
on the festival circuit she has honed her stage presence (with
hints of Kate Bush and Florence and The Machine). Ciara began
her music journey with lessons at a young age and later trained
at the Academy of Music in Tullamore and competed in national
and international competitions. Following three singles her
debut album, Paint My Soul, was released on Human Angel
Records April in $,$(.

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Maria Henderson,!+, plays trombone, harpsichord, and piano.
She has won "rst prizes at the Feis Ceoil, Arklow Music Festival,
and Feis Maitiú and is the $,$' Foróige’s Got Talent national cham-
pion. She is a member of the Dublin Youth Orchestra, Blanchard-
stown Brass Band, and TU Dublin Concert Band, and enjoys play-
ing a wide repertoire that includes classical, popular, and jazz
music. Cecilia Henderson, !(, is a singer, organist, and harpist.
With the Piccolo Lasso choir, she performed at the National Con-
cert Hall, Dublin, Westminster Cathedral, London, and San Gae-
tano, Florence. She has won "rst prizes at the Leinster Fleadh,
Feis Ceoil and Arklow Music Festival. She also studies speech and
drama and voices Kiva on the popular animated series Kiva Can
?Í> @;4+,47R Do on RTEjr and Nick Jr. Isabella Henderson,!,, loves to sing
many types of music, including traditional Irish, popular and
classical. She won the U!$ Lilting competition at Fleadh Cheoil
na hÉireann in $,$( and has won prizes for singing and poetry
recitation at Feis Maitiú, Feis Ceoil, and the Kilcoole Music Festival.
She also plays bodhrán and drums. Kevin Finnerty Jnr, !(,
is currently attend ing St Vincent’s Castleknock College as a sec-
ond-year student. He is a member of St Vincent’s Castleknock
College choir and in $,$!, won Feis Ceoil Gold Medal for sing ing.
Kevin has won numerous "rst prizes for singing and poetry recita-
tion at Kilcoole Music Festival and Feis Maitiu. He is a former
member of the Piccolo Lasso choir, and has performed at the
National Concert Hall. Kevin plays guitar, harp, piano, and drums.

THE QUEST FOR AUTHENTICIT Y •C- •