North Strand Kontra Band

DUBLIN, IRELAND.

The North Strand Kontra Band is a seven piece instrumental ensemble who play a mix of original and traditional material influenced predominantly by the music of Romania and Bulgaria. Improvisation and virtuosity are key features to the bands style of playing with their live shows being critically acclaimed for their high energy levels and explosive musicianship.

The bands journey began in the winter of 2005 busking on the streets of Dublin as a close knit trio. It wasn't long before the trio became a seven piece playing a weekly residency in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre. From there appearances on television and radio soon followed with well-known programmes such as The Late Late Show, The View, Ardán, The Podge and Rodge Show, Seoige & O'Shea, Today with Pat Kenny, The Mooney Show, Arena, Spectrum, The Tubridy Show, etc.

With their exciting and diverse live show the band has played in all of Irelands leading venues. Over the past few years they have had the pleasure of supporting established acts such as the Buena Vista Social Club, Mahala Rai Banda, The Hot 8 Brass Band, Jerry Fish and The Mud Bug Club, Kíla and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble to name a few.

Also a regular fixture on the club and festival circuit both at home and abroad, the NSKB have had recent tours in England, Scotland, France, Spain and Poland.