PUTNEY, Vt. – Twilight Music welcomes two of the most exciting voices in contemporary Celtic music to Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney, Vt., on Friday, March 6, when the acclaimed trio Kalos shares the stage with the adventurous duo If You Must Know. The evening promises high-energy traditional folk infused with bold innovation, featuring pipes, fiddle, guitars, harp, and inventive arrangements that push tradition forward while honoring its roots. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.nextstagearts.org.
Kalos (Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson, and Jeremiah McLane) are masters of the traditional Celtic repertoire who thrive in its shadowed edges. Their music is rhythmically driven, richly textured, and alive with spontaneity and joy. Drawing from Scottish, Breton, American, and other traditions, the trio forges a contemporary sound marked by deep artistic integrity and thrilling interplay. Each member brings a wide-ranging musical background, from jazz and bluegrass, to classical viola, minimalist composition, and global percussion traditions, all converging in a powerful and cohesive live experience.
Renowned for their dynamic stage presence and playful rapport, Kalos is a band built for live performance. Longstanding friendships and close musical partnership fuel a show that is as engaging to watch as it is exhilarating to hear.
Opening the evening, If You Must Know (harpist Rachel Clemente and piper Dan Houghton) bring a gritty, avant-garde edge to Scottish traditional music. Firmly grounded in tradition, yet unafraid to challenge its boundaries, the duo blends original compositions with reimagined melodies, placing them at the forefront of New England’s Celtic folk scene. Both musicians are award-winning performers and composers with international touring and teaching experience, and their performances are marked by intensity, imagination, and fearless musicianship.
Together, Kalos and If You Must Know promise an unforgettable night of contemporary traditional music – rooted, radiant, and alive.