celtic rock
what it is
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context. It has been extremely prolific since the early 1970s and can be seen as a key foundation of the development of highly successful mainstream Celtic bands and popular musical performers, as well as creating important derivates through further fusions. It has played a major role in the maintenance and definition of regional and national identities and in fostering a pan-Celtic culture.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make celtic rock a playlist
turn these 23 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is celtic rock?
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context. It has been extremely prolific since the early 1970s and can be seen as a key foundation of the development of highly successful mainstream Celtic bands and popular musical performers, as well as creating important derivates through further fusions. It has played a major role in the maintenance and definition of regional and national identities and in fostering a pan-Celtic culture.
What are good celtic rock albums to start with?
Try Faith and Courage by Sinéad O'Connor, Rum Sodomy & The Lash (Expanded Edition) by The Pogues, Anthem by Flogging Molly, and Something Beautiful by Great Big Sea.
Who are some women making celtic rock?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/celtic-rock/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making celtic rock, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21