Entertaining Folk Music

From Scotland, Ireland, England and Cornwall

Roaring Maggie is an entertaining and energetic folk music trio from Denmark made up of ex-pats from Scotland, Ireland and England. Influenced by Planxty, Pentangle and Silly Wizard among others, they play folk songs (both traditional and contemporary) and dance tunes (jigs, reels, polkas etc) from around the British Isles, performed with joy, energy, confidence and humour.

Formed in 2022, the band consists of William James McLaughlin on whistles, bodhrán, octave mandola, uilleann pipes, highland pipes and vocals, Martin Dale on guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán and vocals and Brian Armstrong on mandolin, mandola, banjo, guitar and vocals. Their sound is defined by the ever changing soundscape of the instrumentation and by their lush vocal harmonies. All three are vastly experienced musicians and entertainers with many years on stage behind them.

They met through the Danish music scene and Martin and Brian have played together as a duo (Strong Ale) for several years and together with William in Celtic-rock band Brophy’s Law. This project, however, gives them room to cultivate their love for the warm organic sound of acoustic instruments, 3-part harmony works and the rousing good fun of the old tunes and songs. They have a deep respect for the old music traditions, but are happy to include less traditional elements with influences from country, bluegrass, rock and much more. All mixed with stories, jokes, body movements and audience participation.

What people say….

“Exhilarating, entertaining Folk Music Trio” – Skagen Festival

“Turned a half-filled tent into a tent packed with a dancing, singing audience ” – Tønder Festival Camping Scene

“A fantastic evening” – Silkeborg Viseversklub

“3 passionate musicians from England Scotland and Ireland delivered a unique music experience from their home countries” – Folk For Folk, Svendborg

“Accomplished musicians who understand how to entertain” – Shamrock Folk Club

“A fantastic concert” – Musikladen, Lønstrup

“A great evening” – Haslev Folk Club

“Very talented musicians…who played a good mixture of old sea shanties, traditional folk music and beautiful ballads – and the 3 of them really know how to start a party and create a fantastic atmosphere” – Brønderslev Avis (newspaper)

“Fantastic Musicians…And A Super New Folk Band… A Breath Of Fresh Air For The Folk Scene” – Tom Donovan

“Der var “valuta for alle pengene” på denne forårsaften i Fælleshuset derude i Vandborg…sikke da en fantastisk oplevelse vi blev beriget med…Roaring Maggie spredte så megen feststemning og så megen god energi med deres irske og skotske kompositioner – at det smittede totalt af på os alle!…der var masser af plads til latter, til klapsalver, fagter og bevægelser, fødder som bare måtte stampe rytmen i gulvbrædderne – og til en applaus som ingen ende ville ta’ efter nogle timer i selskab med disse tre herlige gutter” – Vandborg Ferring Fællsehus

“”Hvor var det et usædvanligt og godt orkester. Virkelig professionelt. Og utroligt at de kunne spille på så mange ekstra instrumenter. Musikken blev nærmest udtrykt sentimentalt og var i perioder så følsom, at man kunne mærke det helt ind i kroppen. Og sikke flot som de også kunne synge sammen. Og også alene. Og tilhørerne var virkeligt begejstret. Klappede og klappede. Og det var ikke så sært. Det er efter min mening det allerbedste bedste orkester, der har optrådt i foreningen.” – Mølmarkgård Musikforeningen

Upcoming Shows:

2026

2026

EPK – Roaring Maggie

Entertaining Folk Music