Bands and Artists to Listen to for Gaelic Month

A mix of new and storied musicians to ring in the month of May

Apr 23, 2025

purple flower in tilt shift lens — Photo by hoch3fotografie on Unsplash

Nova Scotia dedicates every May to Mìos nan Gàidheal (Gaelic Month) to celebrate and share Scottish Gaelic language and culture. It is fitting considering Beltaine (May 1st) marks the beginning of summer, reckoning by the Celtic Calendar; there is certainly a revival of this language going on, and what better way to remind people of it than celebrating it alongside the renewal of the Earth itself? If you are a Gaelic-learner looking for some entertainment to ring in next month or are simply a fan of Gaelic music and want something new to listen to then read on! In this article, I’ll be sharing five Gaelic-speaking bands and artists that can theme the start of your summer.

Mànran

Founded in 2010, Mànran bridges some gaps between generations of Gaelic-speakers by utilizing somewhat more modern sounds with traditional styles found within the culture. They are not ones to shy away from tried and tested songs, while also writing their own originals in Gaelic; everything I have listened to by them is bright, energetic, and celebrates the Gaelic language unapologetically simply by using it in their lyrics. With respect to the slower, ponderous songs a lot might know from the Gaelic languages of Ireland and Scotland, Mànran’s songs usually show listeners the other side where people can celebrate the fact Gaelic is still alive and not mourn days gone by without it being spoken.

Runrig

Fans of Scottish music in general will likely know very well the legendary Runrig. Although long-disbanded, Runrig’s discography contains plenty of Gaelic songs both traditional and original. Take a look at their discography from the late ‘70s all the way up to 2016, and you’ll find at least one song in Gaelic in every album they released. Runrig definitely has a more aged style in the vein of other bands and artists from the ‘70s and ‘80s, but in no way is it “old hat” as they both embrace Gaelic tradition and use their songs to talk about key moments and experiences in the history of the language and culture.

Dlù

This Glaswegian band got their start in 2022 and definitely uses a newer sound to back their more traditional Gaelic lyrics. While they do use traditional instruments, their songs are often backed by electronic music and synthesizers which creates a slightly “poppy” sound that, somehow, in no way cheapens the effect of the lyrics. Usually, Dlù’s songs are more upbeat than many would expect from traditional Celtic bands, however they do not shy away from the grimmer or more somber songs from their heritage.

Kathleen MacInnes

From the Isle of Skye, Kathleen MacInnes is a traditional Scottish Gaelic folk singer through and through. Many of her songs are from the rich heritage of the Scottish Highlands and it’s more than likely the other bands and artists listed here, especially the newer ones, would have listened to her music at some point and likely wished to put their own spin on the songs in her discography.

Niteworks

Although their last gig was in 2024, Niteworks are another example of a great band that combines traditional songs within an electronic medium. They feature a lot of other modern Gaelic artists such as Julie Fowlis and Sian to provide vocals for their songs that are rife with synths and remixes. This just goes to show that, although they had a newer sound, Niteworks definitely maintained the bardic spirit of Gaelic Scotland by playing off and sharing the cultural spirit of other songsters in the country.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Be sure to give these bands and artists a listen and share which ones you like best in the comments!