SLCene Suggests: The Chieftains at Kingsbury Hall

THE CHIEFTAINS, KINGSBURY HALL, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$54.50/$5 for U students

There are a lot of bands out there with claims to being “Irish,” from L.A. bar bands with one Irish member to collections of Boston punk rockers of Irish descent. But n0 one is more authentically Irish in sound and spirit than The Chieftains, those witty purveyors of classic folk tunes from the Emerald Isle. Originall formed in Dublin in 1962, The Chieftains are once again rolling across the U.S. on tour–this one a 50th anniversary tour sure to be another crowd-pleaser. To celebrate the occasion, they released a strong album last year, Voice of Ages, that was produced by T-Bone Burnett (O Brother Where Are Thou? and The Hunger Games soundtracks, among other rootsy gems) and included collaborations with young fans like The Decemberists and Bon Iver. I’m sure they’ll play a few of those tunes, but the real treats are old Irish traditionals given ribald life by these crafty musicians. The Utah-based pipe band Heathen Highlanders will be performing with the Chieftains.