Gettys announce Celtic Islands tour

Following their successful 2008-2009 “In Christ Alone” tour, modern hymn writers and recording artists Keith and Kristyn Getty will return to the Celtic Islands this spring, bringing their groundbreaking collection of critically acclaimed music to symphony halls across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.

The Gettys also plan to visit cities in southern Ireland and the UK on their Southern Celtic Islands tour the following spring of 2013.

Each of the tour’s 10 performances will showcase a number of the Getty’s musical friends, as well as award-winning musicians, mass choirs and orchestras, and a rare joint performance with the couple’s longtime friend and collaborator, Stuart Townend.

From inspired settings such as Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and Glasgow’s SECC, a variety of live choirs will join the Gettys onstage, including the New Irish Choir and Orchestra, the All Souls Choir and Orchestra and the New Scottish Choir and Orchestra.

The band accompanying the Gettys will feature a group of virtuosic musicians from both sides of the Atlantic. From the UK are guitarist Fionan de Barra (Broadway’s Riverdance) and uilleann piper Patrick D’Arcy (“Snow White and the Hunstman”).

From the US are guitarist Dave Cleveland (Miley Cyrus and Amy Grant), bluegrass instrumentalist Jeff Taylor (Elvis Costello and The Chieftains), and fiddler Ross Holmes (Mumford & Sons).

A defining mark of each Getty concert is the extent to which audience members join in worship.

“Singing together strengthens the body of Christ,” says Kristyn. “We’re thrilled to join with these magnificent choirs and musicians with the hope of encouraging believers in their faith.”

Additionally, the concert experience is unique as the music will continue in after-show performances. Band members plan to congregate in the lobbies and foyers of each concert hall to celebrate Celtic and American folk music into the night.

“These concerts are about bringing people together to sing to the God who created us,” says Keith. “All throughout Scripture we see the importance of offering our praise. The Psalms go so far as to command us to shout with joy to the Lord. That’s what we’re hoping to accomplish on each stop of this tour.”

In addition to the performances of Getty/Townend favorites such as “In Christ Alone”, “The
Power of the Cross”, and “O Church Arise”, the concerts for the first time will offer a preview
of several new Getty/Townend hymns to be released on Keith and Kristyn’s forthcoming 2012 album.

Since releasing their first album together in 2007, the Gettys have endeavored to create a new hymnody for the generations of people who comprise the church. Described as “singable theology”, their songs blend timeless truths with powerful melodies.

The couple’s 2011 US Christmas tour sold out to audiences across the country.

The Northern Celtic Islands Tour, partnering with Stand By Me (formerly Kids Alive UK), and Biblica begins in Liverpool May 30 with some concerts sold out already.

Tour Dates are as follows:
Liverpool: 30th May: Philarmonic Hall. Buy Tickets
Belfast: 31st May: Waterfront Hall. Buy Tickets
Belfast: 1st June: Waterfront Hall. SOLD OUT
Belfast : 2nd June: Waterfront Hall. SOLD OUT
Londonderry: 5th June: Millenium Forum. Buy Tickets
Inverness: 6th June: Eden Court Theatre. Buy Tickets
Gateshead: 7th June: The Sage. Buy Tickets
Aberdeen: 8th June: Music Hall. Buy Tickets
Edinburgh: 9th June: Usher Hall.. Buy Tickets
Glasgow: 10th June: SECC. Buy Tickets
For tickets, please visit http://www.gettymusic.com/celtictour.aspx