Afro Celt Sound System

The Afro Celt Sound System was formed in 1995 as a collaborative effort between traditional African and Celtic musicians and several respected figures from the UK music scene. The bonding of producer [a=Simon Emmerson], co-producer and multi-instrumentalist [a=James McNally], co-producer, engineer and programmer [a=Martin Russell], and vocalist and lyricist [a=Iarla Ó Lionáird] turned the Afro Celts from a project into a band.

Since 2016, the band has been led by [a=Simon Emmerson], currently joined by core members [a=Johnny Kalsi] and [a=N'Faly Kouyate].

Over the years they have formed an ever-changing collaborative. Former members/participants include [a=Davy Spillane], [a=Demba Barry], [a=Eileen Ivers], [a=Emer Mayock], [a=Griogair Labhruidh], [a=Iain MacLeod (2)], [a=Iarla Ó Lionáird], [a=James McNally], [a=Jo Bruce], [a=Martin Russell], [a=Moussa Cissokho], [a=Myrdhin], [a=Ronan Browne], [a=Simon Massey], and others. There have been many more guests and collaborators, including [a=Peter Gabriel], [a=Robert Plant], [a=Sinéad O'Connor], [a=Liam O'Flynn], and others.