Music in the Celtic world is everywhere. Music is speech, and speech is musical; so it’s no coincidence that some of the best exponents of the written word in English grew up in Ireland or Wales. With three Nobel Prizes for Literature, and bands as varied as The Dubliners and U2, Ireland has made countless contributions to the world’s literary and musical communities. In our latest edition of Encore Live, we sat down with Tour Manager Adrian Metcalfe to examine several songs that embody Ireland’s history of rebellion. Join us as we dive into the story behind the music, and find out more about Ireland’s rebellious spirit. Watch Encore Live: Ireland – A Musical Rebellion We hope that you have been enjoying our Encore Live series, and we encourage all viewers to let us know if there are any other topics you would like to see covered. We also hope you will join us on Wednesday, August 19th, for Encore Live: Flamenco and What Follows, hosted by Tour Manager Sonia Beck! If you missed our last event, Encore Live: From Paris, the recording can be found on our blog. We have several Encore Live events lined up in the weeks ahead, so please make sure to register to receive updates about upcoming events! We are committed to providing musicians with resources that will make their lives easier and more enjoyable during these difficult times, so please email encoretours@acis.com with any questions or suggestions.
July 23, 2026 David Solar 2026–2027 Musical Celebrations Calendar A new school year brings concerts, rehearsals, auditions, deadlines and plenty of dates to keep organized. Backstage Blog
July 21, 2026 David Solar Beethoven at 200: Why His Music Still Resonates On March 26, 2027, musicians and audiences around the world will mark the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s death. Backstage Blog
July 16, 2026 Encore Tours Musical Celebrations Around the World: National Piano Month Every September, National Piano Month celebrates an instrument that has shaped concert halls, classrooms, churches, theaters, jazz clubs and homes around the world. Backstage Blog