The Rapparees - Irish Folk

In March, the Häberlen transforms into an Irish pub – loud, lively, and energetic. The Rapparees bring their distinctive blend of traditional Irish folk, captivating stage energy, and raw authenticity to Gaildorf. The hallmark of the Belfast band is their rugged vocals, instrumental "fire-power," beards, towering heights of over 190 cm, unbridled energy, and also gravitas. These five tall lads are firmly grounded in the here and now. This gives the Rapparees their earthy gravity and credibility. They lift the audience out of their seats while simultaneously grounding them. Everyone feels that everything that comes bubbling forth and evokes feelings of happiness has been long matured and has depth. Their way of performing is described in Ireland as "rough and ready." It speaks for itself and needs no further translation. The band plays just about every instrument that makes up a typical Irish sound, such as banjo, fiddle, bodhrán, bouzouki, whistle, and guitars. The rockier note is provided by electric bass and drums, or even the bodhrán. The quintet lives in one of the underprivileged working-class neighborhoods of Belfast, where tourists from Ireland typically do not wander. Especially not foreign bands, for whom it has become fashionable to cover the Pogues and the Dubliners. The Rapparees have grown up with a warmly rough manner of speaking, and when they announce their songs, a bit of that charm always comes through. The people in the neighborhood have backbone, self-confidence, and are proud of their subculture. So are the Rapparees. What can one be proud of? Of the ballads, the song heritage of the Irish working class, the "Murriels" – large murals often with a political undertone, the sports clubs, and pubs where people are well-socialized. Boxing is one of the most popular sports in the neighborhood. Boxing is just as much a part of Irish working culture as the ballads. You can box without being wealthy. It is pretty much the only discipline in which Irish athletes regularly bring home medals from the Olympics to the green island. To celebrate this old tradition, the band has named their upcoming tour the "Knock Out Tour." If any band has what it takes to help the Irish ballad experience a revival, it is the Rapparees! The Dubliners with their traditional style and the Pogues with their punk variant have shaped the perception of the Irish ballad in recent decades. With a touch of world music, The Rapparees are forging a new and refreshing path. Yes, they also write their own ballads that have the potential to become classics. The Rapparees know how to pair unbridled energy with an equal portion of finesse and craftsmanship brilliance. This is also recognized by the media. For example, the world music magazine Folker raves: "This band is a force, musically versatile and entertaining." Even the arts section of the FAZ attests to the band an enormous stage presence! Highwaymen and outlaws are called Rapparees in Ireland. The term definitely has a positive connotation, as it refers to fellows like Robin Hood, who take from the rich and give to the poor. But only after they have gambled away and drunk a significant portion of the loot. That the Rapparees are doing something right is evident from the complaint of a Protestant MP. He formally requested the BBC to remove a song by the band from its program because it was rebellious and anti-British. The band has released three albums so far: "Clarity," "Wired," and "Re:Session."