colum sands

Colum Sands is a universal storyteller drawing on a long Irish tradition of humour and poetic musicality to weave songs for the world. Colum has performed solo and as a member of ‘The Sands Family’ in over thirty countries, presented BBC radio programmes over 22 years and produced over 100 albums, working with young musicians and legends like Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.  He relishes the vast variety of venues in his life, from Carnegie Hall New York to an audience of one in a packed phone box on Rathlin Island! His songs have been covered by many performers including Andy Irvine, Maddy Prior & June Tabor. Colum’s tenth solo album  “Song Bridge” was released in 2022 and his book and online album “These Quiet Places” was launched last year. In his book, his albums and his performances, his work encourages the joy of learning, not only from each other but also from the more than human parts of life around us. He has received a Living Tradition Award and was shortlisted for three nominations for the 2009 Grammy Awards.

‘Colum Sands is an unforgettable, wonderful performer. I’ve just seen him play to 2,500 people in the Australian National Folk Festival’s biggest venue and make everyone feel as if they were sitting in his lounge room. He’s warm, witty, moving and funny.’ Fairbridge Folk Festival.