The Langan Band

Over the last 15 years, The Langan Band has crafted a distinctive sound that weaves trad themes, eastern European melodies, and sweet lyricism with hints of flamenco, punk abandon, and whisky dirges. Their songs are journeys, starting tentatively, picking up speed as melodies roll out, then completely changing direction at the roundabout where frenetic Roma melodies hydroplane into Latin bass lines. Winners of the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival, the Langan fellas sing and play odes to love, beer, adventures on the road, and lives well-lived.

This Scottish trio is fronted by Ayrshire-born John Langan whose expressive vocals, underpinned with a hint of roguishness, glide over melodic guitar as he keeps the beat with a foot percussion rig of his own devising. Violinist Alastair Caplin has a foot in the London prog-folk/jazz scenes, but his melodies are informed by the traditional music of his native Outer Hebrides. Angus-born Dave Tunstall holds up the bottom on double bass providing percussive plucking and ethereal bowing. When the three sing together the harmonies are tight and moving. Their songs are fresh, compelling, sometimes quirky, and always surprising. Get on board and expect the unexpected.

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