1. Any of several large hairy flies of the family Oestridae whose larvae grow under the skin of cattle, causing warbles.
2. A group of more or less hairy musicians, playing raucous traditional music at a festival near you.

Fiddles, melodeons and mandolas ring out with a flurry of fingers, over a pounding rhythm section of drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars. Top this off with a vocal uproar: drunken choruses and sweet harmonies deliver songs about love and lust (mostly unrequited), murder and mayhem, fornicating and fighting, roving and raving. These are new songs rooted in deep traditions. Warblefly believe that traditional music is not about sticking your finger in your ear and reaching note-perfect harmonies, nor is it about yearning for lost loves or bygone pastimes. It’s about forgetting your inhibitions, it’s an escape from everyday life, it’s losing yourself in sound and rhythm, it’s staying young and full of sap, it’s about having a great time.

A few quotes about w a r b l e f l y …

fROOTS magazine: “Levellers type aggression, Pogues cheek and drinking potential, yet an anchor in the tradition that makes them an effective bridge between those who like to drink, party and dance and those who like more decorum and something structured to hang their jollies on”

The Scallywag Show: “One of the best bands out there. A must have.”

Friends of Shane: “Playing a blend of traditional songs and w a r b l e f l y originals the band delivered a good kicking to folk music, playing it as it should be played - loud, fast and fun”

Shite’n’onions: “With their mix of folk and punk and their attention given to the instrumental passages, w a r b l e f l y are true originals…. and prove themselves to be a force in the Celtic circuit”

Pumpactionpaddy: “An excellent offering… if your feet don't start tapping to this then you are quite clearly dead!”

fROOTS magazine: “w a r b l e f l y are mischievous, a kick in the pants and very welcome”

Some w a r b l e f l y highlights