Needfire

Since its formation in 2004 Texas-based Needfire have become one of today's most distinctive and original bands. Their music has been described as Celtic-rock- a blend of traditional Celtic music and modern rock, reeling Celtic fiddles, bagpipes, and a rock rhythm section. Needfire has gained a reputation of delivering highly entertaining live shows. Often performing at outdoor festivals the group is very interactive- often mingling with the crowd while performing- and are high-energy crowd pleasers. After just a few short years Needfire quickly progressed from regional to a nationally-headlining artist at some of the largest Celtic and arts festivals in North America. They headlined one of the largest Irish Festivals in the U.S., the North Texas Irish Festival, in Dallas in 2008 and "… drew huge, wildly enthusiastic crowds, sold more CDs than anyone and were mobbed in our Autograph Alley area for as long as 25 minutes after the end of their set"(Ceili, Dallas, TX). Other highlights include headlining the Portland Irish Festival (largest Irish festival on the west coast) in Oregon, and the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, Kansas. "For Sharon Benson of Salina Arts and Humanities, choosing Needfire to close the festival was a no-brainer. 'I wanted a good, strong finish for the festival, and they were so popular last year and knew how to work the crowd,' she said" (Salina Journal, Salina, KS). During their summer 2010 Tour they also toured through Canada for the first time. The group's live performance style also translates well at other venues- theaters, colleges, and Irish pubs. "The room was filled with Celtic rock and an energy level I have not seen in many years. And it was not only the adults that enjoyed the show but children of all ages" (Frisco Enterprise, Frisco, TX).
"One of today's most popular Celtic rock bands" (WBKO TV- Bowling Green, KY)
".just at ease in the rock songs as in the ballads, Needfire is fresh and explosive!" (Highlands Magazine, France)
".uplifting, invigorating" (Shotgun Reviews).
"Needfire perfects the art of the rock 'n' roll bagpipe." - Salina Journal (Salina, Kansas)



" 'They are tremendous instrumentally,' said Robert Harrison, president of the Games. 'They have great vocals. They are contemporary, but still use a lot of traditional Celtic melodies. I think they are probably one of the top three Celtic bands in North America right now.' " - Glasgow Daily Times (Glasgow, KY)



"Needfire is fast becoming a band you're going to hear about internationally." - Doyle Jeter, Director of the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival



".nothing short of fantastic at our festival this year.BOOK THIS BAND." - Celtic Society of West Tennessee



".one of the major draws for this year's Scottish festival." - Appleseeds, Lyon College ( Batesville, Arkansas)



""For those who think Flogging Molly characterizes Celtic Rock, think again. Needfire grooves just as hard, but doesn't partake in the smashing drums and screaming punk lyrics" - UTA Shorthorn
"A band out of Texas that kicks some serious ass!" - Celtic Music News
"Needfire is one of the best in the nation." - Corpus Christi Caller-Times
"From my vantage point, I saw some crazed and dedicated fans for the local band, Needfire, who might have emerged as the stars of the weekend festival. They drew huge, wildly enthusiastic crowds, sold more CDs than anyone (not even a close second was Town Pants) and were mobbed in our Autograph Alley area for as long as 25 minutes after the end of their set." - Ceili- May/June 2008- a publication of the Southwest Celtic Music Association (Chuck Bloom, Performer Products Coordinator for the North Texas Irish Festival)