Cape Breton
Lucy MacNeil
Lucy MacNeil recalls music as always being at the centre of her childhood home in Sydney Mines where family, neighbours, and visiting musicians would often gather. She comes from a long tradition of Cape Breton music and dance that has been the foundation of creative pursuits over her musical career. She has travelled to Europe, Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, the United States, Barbados, throughout Canada from Fogo Island to Iqualuit, and to the northern Quebec community of Puvirnituq with The Barra MacNeils, releasing 17 albums over the past 40 years. A Celtic Colours Artist in Residence in 2015, Lucy’s debut solo album, Angels Whisper, won Traditional Album of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Folk Music Awards and she was named Stan Rogers Traditional Singer of the Year. Lucy also performs in the popular stage show Island Girls with Heather Rankin, Bette MacDonald, and Jenn Sheppard. Lucy will take the stage this year as a member of the Unusual Suspects of Celtic Colours, as well as with her siblings in a tribute to longtime supporters of the local trad music scene Tic and Emily Butler, and in a concert honouring the legacy of their late mother Jean.
CONCERT