The Citizen
An Irish rock performance promises to put more than just a jig in your step Saturday, at Wells College in Aurora.
New York City band The Prodigals will close out the college's Arts & Lecture Series with a set in Phipps Auditorium at Macmillan Hall.
“We actually saw them at a conference in January and got them to come from that,” said Siouxsie Grady, chairwoman of the college's Arts & Lecture Series Committee. “They're amazing.”
The group will play a high-energy mix of Celtic folk sounds, punk and even some jazz elements. Lead singer and button accordion player Gregory Grene describes the music he's been making with the Prodigals for more than 10 years as eclectic and original.
“We're utterly an Irish band and utterly a New York band,” he said. “It's its own thing”
Don't expect to see a tribute to legendary Irish punk outfit the Pogues though.
“Our sound is in fact nothing like them,” Grene said in a telephone interview. “It is however the same combination of Irish roots with (other styles).”
The quartet will be fresh from a week-long rest from touring, which kicks into high gear with the festival season.
The Prodigals have headlined several Irish festivals and have the distinction of being the only U.S.-based band featured on the “Rough Guide to Irish Music Compilation” in 2005.
The band has its own catalog of five studio albums and a live record as well.
Whether indoor or outdoor, college or bar, the goal is always to connect with the audience, Grene said.
“It's a very, very interactive show,” he said. “It's a really personal show.”
“It's all about capturing the magical musical moment between you and them,” he said.
The group fits the mission of bringing eclectic acts to campus each year.
The Leah Stein Dance Company of Philadelphia performed last fall and in February pianist Leon Bates gave his musical interpretation of the historic Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
“This will appeal to all ages,” Grady said. “There's definitely something for everyone.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
If you go
What: The Prodigals
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall at Wells College, Aurora
Cost: $6 for students, senior citizens, college community and $10 for general public
For details: Call 364-3456 or visit
prodigals.com or www.myspace.com/prodigals
New York City band The Prodigals will close out the college's Arts & Lecture Series with a set in Phipps Auditorium at Macmillan Hall.
“We actually saw them at a conference in January and got them to come from that,” said Siouxsie Grady, chairwoman of the college's Arts & Lecture Series Committee. “They're amazing.”
The group will play a high-energy mix of Celtic folk sounds, punk and even some jazz elements. Lead singer and button accordion player Gregory Grene describes the music he's been making with the Prodigals for more than 10 years as eclectic and original.
“We're utterly an Irish band and utterly a New York band,” he said. “It's its own thing”
Don't expect to see a tribute to legendary Irish punk outfit the Pogues though.
“Our sound is in fact nothing like them,” Grene said in a telephone interview. “It is however the same combination of Irish roots with (other styles).”
The quartet will be fresh from a week-long rest from touring, which kicks into high gear with the festival season.
The Prodigals have headlined several Irish festivals and have the distinction of being the only U.S.-based band featured on the “Rough Guide to Irish Music Compilation” in 2005.
The band has its own catalog of five studio albums and a live record as well.
Whether indoor or outdoor, college or bar, the goal is always to connect with the audience, Grene said.
“It's a very, very interactive show,” he said. “It's a really personal show.”
“It's all about capturing the magical musical moment between you and them,” he said.
The group fits the mission of bringing eclectic acts to campus each year.
The Leah Stein Dance Company of Philadelphia performed last fall and in February pianist Leon Bates gave his musical interpretation of the historic Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.
“This will appeal to all ages,” Grady said. “There's definitely something for everyone.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
If you go
What: The Prodigals
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall at Wells College, Aurora
Cost: $6 for students, senior citizens, college community and $10 for general public
For details: Call 364-3456 or visit
prodigals.com or www.myspace.com/prodigals
