Martin Hayes announces UK tour in October to perform ‘Peggy’s Dream’

Founder of Irish-American supergroup The Gloaming and a towering figure in Irish traditional music, Martin Hayes has just announced a UK tour in October. He’ll be promoting new album, Peggy’s Dream, with his band, The Common Ground Ensemble. Peggy’s Dream was dedicated to Martin’s mother, who passed away recently, and is also his first album since the passing of long-time collaborator, Dennis Cahill, so expect this to be a cathartic series of shows.

With the Common Ground Ensemble, Hayes aimed to create an ensemble of musicians from different backgrounds who also have connections to Irish music, hence their name. The line-up includes Cormac McCarthy on piano, Kate Ellis on cello, Kyle Sanna on guitar and Brian Donnellan on bouzouki, harmonium, and concertina. Collectively, they possess a wealth of experience across the worlds of traditional Irish music, contemporary classical, jazz improv and experimental music.

Hayes was born into a musical family in East County Clare. His father, PJ Hayes, and uncle, Paddy Canny, were both renowned fiddle players and founding members of the Tulla Céilí Band – the same group that both Hayes and fellow Common Ground Ensemble-member Brian Donnellan played in.

Peggy’s Dream was a Top of the World in Songlines #188, where our reviewer wrote: “It’s a stunning record throughout, one that may require plenty of turns to allow its layers and details to seep through the listener.”

Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble will be on tour in the UK from October 6 until October 22, with a number of solo Martin Hayes shows along the way. For full details of the shows and tickets visit martinhayes.com/concerts