MÀNRAN have quite literally rocketed to the very top of the Scottish music scene with their mighty combination of Gaelic and English songs. A unique and powerful line up, underpinned by rhythmic accordion, fiddle, flute and a backline of drum and bass to create an energetic sound like no other.

Mànran are one of the best-known and best-loved Scottish bands on the scene today. The 2011 launch of their debut single, “Latha Math” heralded a meteoric rise to the top of the Scottish music world that quickly saw them playing many of the most prestigious festivals in Europe despite having only been in existence a few short months. From then, a multi-award-winning debut album followed as the band set about living up to the hype surrounding their early release while establishing their characteristic sound and distinctive approach to musical arrangement.

Variously tagged as “folk-rock”, “trad-rock”, “Celtic-rock” and even “grown-up folk-rock”, Mànran’s music has always defied easy labelling due to the eclectic mix of influences on the band and the alchemy that melds them. With a central ethos built around the band’s traditional Celtic roots, fiery tunes from fiddle, accordion, flute, uillean and Highland bagpipes bind powerfully to a rhythm section awash with elements of funk, jazz and rock to create some of the most innovative and uplifting instrumental music around. Coupled with songs in both Gaelic and English that undergo the same musical mixology, it’s easy to understand why Mànran are in such high demand as a live act. With music ranging from the explosive to the poignant and, at all times, a palpable connection to their audience, Mànran thrive on live performances and spend most of the year touring and bringing their music to new parts of the world.

Now with two highly regarded studio albums under their belt and four years of blowing audiences away with healthy amounts of passion, poise, virtuosity and vigour, Mànran are looking to the future. This year sees the band playing high-profile slots at many of the biggest summer festivals in Scotland and Europe while continuing to tour regularly at home and abroad. This includes a first full tour of Germany, several big Scottish shows and numerous dates throughout Europe including trips to Switzerland, Denmark, France and Spain. Preparations are also well under way for recording their eagerly-awaited third album.The band are able to proudly claim to be the only band to host Highland and Uilleann pipes together within one dazzling and charismatic group. Since the band’s inception in 2010 Mànran has performed at festivals across Europe make sure not to miss them as they take to the Prema stage this June.

Mànran play Prema, Uley on Friday, June 5 at 8 pm. For more details visit www.prema.org.uk