Flook (band)
Anglo-Irish instrumental band known for fast flute and whistle.
Flook are an Anglo-Irish band that performs traditional-style instrumental music, much of it composed by the group. Their sound is characterized by fast, sometimes percussive flute and whistle lines over complex guitar and bodhrán rhythms. The band consists of Brian Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Ed Boyd, and John Joe Kelly.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Ireland and United Kingdom
- Genre
- Celtic music
- Years active
- 1995–2008, 2013-present
- Label
- Flatfish Records
- Associated acts
- KAN
- Upstairs in a tent
- Lunasa
- Cara Dillon
- Kate Rusby
- Capercaillie
- Current members
- Sarah Allen
- Brian Finnegan
- Ed Boyd
- John Joe Kelly
- Past members
- Becky Morris
- Michael McGoldrick
- Damien O'Kane
Facts from the source article.
History
Flook began in 1995, founded by Becky Morris alongside three fellow flute players: Sarah Allen, Brian Finnegan, and Michael McGoldrick, who departed in 1997 to play with Capercaillie. For a short time, they called themselves Three Nations Flutes. Their tenth anniversary tour featured a concert at London's Purcell Room on 7 November 2005, part of a "Folk in the Fall" week on the South Bank, and another show at the new Sage Gateshead hall on 10 November 2005. Their third studio album, Haven, came out in October 2005. In December 2008, the band announced they were disbanding via a Christmas message, calling it possibly forever or a long pause. They reunited briefly for an appearance on the BBC Northern Ireland show Blas Ceoil and got back together again in 2013. Regular live performances resumed, taking them worldwide to venues like Kings Place in London, the Soma Festival in Belfast, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, and Star Pine's Cafe in Tokyo. On 12 January 2018, the group shared a photo of themselves rehearsing new tunes in Bath, United Kingdom. Their fourth album, Ancora, was released on 12 April 2019. Their latest album, Sanju (Japanese for 'thirty'), came out in March 2025 to mark thirty years as a band. It features 13 new compositions spread across five tracks. After taking a year off from touring in 2024, they are now on an international tour celebrating their anniversary.
Band members
Sarah Allen plays flute and accordion and has been a member of the Barely Works, Bigjig, The Happy End Big Band, and The Waterboys. Brian Finnegan plays wooden flutes, low whistle, and tin whistle, and has been a member of Upstairs in a Tent (originally Gan Ainm), Maalstroom, Aquarium, and KAN. Ed Boyd plays guitars and bouzouki, became a permanent member of Lunasa in 2012, and is a former member of Red Ciel. John Joe Kelly plays bodhrán and mandolin, and has worked with Altan and Paul Brady. Damien O'Kane joined the band temporarily in 2008, playing banjo and tenor guitar as well as singing. Michael McGoldrick, who plays wooden flute, low whistle, uilleann pipes, and tin whistle, left Flook in 1997 to join Capercaillie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre of music does Flook (band) play?
Flook's music is classified as Celtic music.
Which record labels has Flook (band) released music on?
Flook has released music on Flatfish Records.
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