Beltaine band

Beltaine is a Polish folk band named after the Celtic holiday celebrating the start of summer. Formed in 2002 in Katowice, Poland, the group initially performed with traditional instruments like guitar, violin, accordion, and bodhran before adding bass and percussion. Their early repertoire focused on Irish and Scottish folk music.

In 2003, Beltaine began touring beyond Silesia, performing at festivals such as Castle Festival in Bedzin, which they organized starting that year. Their debut album *Rockhill* (2004) blended traditional Celtic tunes with original compositions and won the "Virtual Gesle" award for Best Folk Album. By 2005, the band expanded its reach, performing internationally across Europe and collaborating with artists like Jan Gałczewski.

In 2006, percussionist Mateusz Sopata joined, enhancing their sound, and they contributed music to *The Witcher* video game's soundtrack. Their second album, *KONCENtRAD* (2007), featured guest artist Giridhar Udupa and showcased a rock-influenced style.

Beltaine's third album, *TriÚ* (2010), explored diverse influences from funk to Middle Eastern music, highlighting their eclectic sound. They have performed at notable festivals worldwide, including Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia and Guinness Irish Festival in Switzerland.

The band collaborates with dance group Comhlan on the Celtic Motion Project and has a song featured in the video game *Pump It Up*. Current members include Adam Romański (fiddle), Jakub Szczygieł (flute), Łukasz Kulesza (guitar), Jan Gałczewski (bagpipes, bodhran), and others. Their discography includes *Rockhill* (2004), *KONCENtRAD* (2007), *TriÚ* (2010), and *Observer* (2023).