Band Details

From the Promoter

Celebrating three decades as Canada’s ground-breaking independent artist, Loreena McKennitt is set to bring a rare and intimate night of words and music to Québec and Eastern Ontario this fall. Normally performing with her band in large concert halls around the world, this unique series will feature McKennitt in the trio formation which garnered her a 2012 Grammy nomination for Troubadours on the Rhine.
Joined by her long-time collaborators Brian Hughes and Caroline Lavelle, the first part of the evening will feature material McKennitt has rarely played in recent years, mixed in with stories of her global travels exploring Celtic history, and passages from literary material that have inspired her music. The second half will feature a rare opportunity for audience members to pose questions to Loreena about her storied adventures, self-managed 30-year career, philanthropic projects and civic activities. The evening will conclude with more music from the trio.
“In my research, given that the written word was, in ways, almost as inspiring as the travels themselves,” says McKennitt, “I decided to bring some of this material forward into my performance.”
“Moreover, in this technologically-overwhelmed world, I join many others who feel there is a declining appreciation for the spoken word and how it can reveal and reflect many dimensions of ourselves.”
“In addition to presenting songs I’ve not performed for years, I am looking forward to hearing from and responding to questions folks may have about my career and other activities I have been involved in. It is always a delight to engage more directly with people.”

McKennitt’s eclectic Celtic blend of pop, folk and world music has sold over 14 million albums worldwide. Her recordings have achieved gold, platinum and multi-platinum status in 15 countries on four continents. She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won two Junos, as well as a Billboard International Achievement Award.

Loreena has performed in some of the world’s most-respected and historic concert venues.. from Carnegie Hall to the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain and for dignitaries including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and numerous heads of state.

In addition to her musical career, McKennitt has been recognized for a number of noteworthy philanthropic initiatives. In 1998, she founded the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety, and she was instrumental in the transformation of a 1929 neo-Gothic school into the Falstaff Family Centre, a charitable organization focused on families and children.

In 2004, Loreena was awarded the Order of Canada. In 2006, she was made an Honorary Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and in 2013 she was appointed Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters of the Republic of France. As a privacy advocate, she won a landmark privacy case in the UK. She has also been awarded four honorary degrees for her non-musical endeavours.