O'MCFELLS IRISH DUO

Joe Basso and Ryan-Allen McKinney are O’McFells Band, a Maryland based Irish folk duo that specializes in pub tunes, rebel songs, and Celtic inspired folk/rock/pop music. The charismatic pair is known around the Mid-Atlantic as “probably the best guitar and bodhrán Irish duo in the DMV” (DC, Maryland, & Virginia).

We are eager to share our love of Irish culture through music and have continuously grown our repertoire of pub tunes, rebel anthems and Celtic-infused pop melodies.   What started out as a few rebel songs in Ryan’s living room during a party led to a few local open mics and eventually our first paid gig scheduled Friday, March 13, 2020, which got cancelled the night before due to the pandemic. We kept at it and almost 1 year later we played that rescheduled show and haven’t stopped since.

Tailoring each performance to suit the unique essence of an event is our specialty. Whether it’s an intimate backyard acoustic set or a pulsating crowd in a bustling venue, we have the versatility and experience to adapt to the audience and establishment. We have been able to gather many great songs from fan requests and love hearing stories from patrons about what a certain song means to them and their family.

Our musical voyage has led us to diverse settings, from street corners to private gatherings, farmers markets to legendary pubs, concert halls to cozy breweries. We’ve serenaded the young and the wise, the newcomers to Irish melodies, and those who know every verse by heart. No matter where we perform, our dedication remains steadfast in providing our audience with an unforgettable experience while savoring the rich history embedded in the tunes we cherish.