A welshborn tynesider, Ceitidh Mac is a Newcastle based alt.folk cellist/singer with a progressive twist to her music. Growing up in the wilds of Pembrokeshire before heading North, she’s been carving a name for herself across the North East and beyond. Ceitidh is pronounced Katie, spelt the Gaelic way. Think ceilidh with a T.

 

While the folk influence is prominent in her songs, the smoky style and lo-fi studio sound combines with a contemporary electronic edge, embellished by unusual instrumentation. Her live show is an innovative take on traditional and alternative folk songs, sitting alongside her own original material which explores topics ranging from illuminating everyday experiences to subjects of deeper self reflection.

 

Working with sound engineer Sam Grant (Pigsx7, Richard Dawson) and producer Calum Howard (The Dawdler, Greytapes), Ceitidh released her ‘I Reach for the Pen’ EP, with songs accompanied by rich synth hooks and subtle textures of the vibraphone which received support and radio plays from BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music, and local and national support from BBC Introducing. The first single was A-Listed by Amazing Radio as well as featuring on their Chart. She also garnered press coverage from Fresh on the Net, Velvet Sheep, Narc and NE Volume among others, as well as winning the ‘Tune into Nature Prize’ 2021.

 

2022 was a busy year for Ceitdh, kicking off with a co-produced single ‘Goldfinches’ which featured on BBC6, as well as being named a ‘BBC Introducing Tip for 2022’.

 

Ceitidh Mac has supported alt.folk hero Rachael Dadd and progressive jazzer Alabaster dePlume, having previously supported the likes of Laura Misch and Dublin folk legends Lankum. Ceitidh also supported Maximo Park at the Unity Arena in September of 2020, which was the first socially distanced arena in the world! Festival appearances include Shambino Festival, Knockengorroch Festival, Purbeck Folk Festival and Women are Mint among others.