Cara Dillon

Few voices linger in the soul quite like Cara's - she remains a towering figure in Irish music, consistently lauded as one of the folk genre's finest interpreters on the global stage, earning widespread acclaim and countless awards-including the Meteor Award for Best Irish Female, four BBC Folk Awards (from nine nominations), and a Hot Press Award for Best Roots Act, to name a few.

For close to three decades, Dillon has occupied a singular space within folk music: an artist firmly rooted in tradition, yet never limited by it. Her voice-deceptively delicate, yet emotionally devastating-draws from something timeless and elemental. In a genre often weighed down by nostalgia or romanticism, Dillon offers something more enduring: truth carried in song-sung not to impress, but to endure. She continues to honour the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry, with a commitment that's both unflinching and deeply felt.

At the heart of her remarkable career is her husband and longtime collaborator, Sam Lakeman. As producer, composer, and performer, his influence has been pivotal in shaping Dillon's sound, allowing the pair to cultivate a musical identity that defies typical pigeonholes-authentic, distinctive, and ever evolving. Their enduring partnership has ensured they have remained at the very pinnacle of the folk genre with a body of work that is both timeless and quietly innovative.

Audiences at their upcoming shows can expect an intimate, acoustic set, drawn from Dillon's expansive discography, including their now-classic renditions of "Black Is the Colour" and "The Parting Glass," alongside selections from 'Coming Home', her landmark 2024 release and first album in over six years.

Emerging from the vibrant traditional music scene of her teenage years with Óige and legendary band, De Dannan, and together in Equation, Dillon and Lakeman's path wound through the major-label corridors of Warners and enviably hip indie label Rough Trade Records-a journey that mirrors the tension between preservation and reinvention that defines their work. 

Her music has travelled far beyond folk's usual borders- from Disney film soundtracks to chart-topping trance remixes. More recently, three of her songs were featured in the acclaimed TV comedy Derry Girls, and Coming Home was shortlisted for "Album of the Year" at the 2024 Northern Ireland Music Prize.

As Mojo magazine once wrote, Dillon possesses "quite possibly the world's most beautiful female voice." With Coming Home, she affirms that legacy-not simply as a singer, but as a storyteller of rare emotional depth. Her voice, as always, lingers long after the last note fades.

DHM Concerts

Cara Dillon - Upon A Winter’s Night

A Christmas Tradition Rooted in Wonder and Reverence

Cara Dillon, whose ethereal voice has long been heralded as one of the finest to emerge from Ireland’s rich folk tradition, is set to embark on her much-loved Christmas tour, Upon A Winter’s Night. Now a cherished annual event, the show has become a seasonal staple for audiences across the UK and Ireland, Cara and her band will once again capture the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs - both ancient and modern - providing a welcome reminder that the festive season can be about more than just commercialism.

A far cry from Jingle Bells and Santa Baby, Cara will be joined by her exceptional band who weave Celtic rhythms alongside reverent and ancient carols, offering a musical experience that feels intimate, transcendent and deeply reverent, Her voice, carrying a purity that seems to hold the darkness at bay, reminds audiences that Christmas can still be a :me of quiet reflection and profound beauty.

As modest and down-to-earth as they come, Cara admits to being taken aback by the runaway success of her Upon A Winter’s Night album, which reached No. 1 on the Indie Album Charts not once, but twice, upon its release in 2016. Now, in 2025, audiences from across the country will once again have the opportunity to witness this moving celebration of the fes:ve season–with some new songs added to the setlist.

For Dillon, Christmas is more than a holiday—it’s a passion. There is another side to Christmas...far away from Bing crooning and Noddy screaming: a space where the story of Jesus' birth is retold with genuine wonder and celebrated with the dignity, passion and beauty it deserves. Instead, Dillon invites listeners to a place where ancient traditions are honoured, and the true meaning of the season shines through in every note.

This dedication to authenticity has defined Dillon’s illustrious career, which has seen her explore opportunities to tread many different paths – from releasing folk crossover albums on indie label Rough Trade, working on Disney soundtracks, to collaborations with leading UK dance DJ/producers – Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her cultural heritage.

Cara occupies a position at the very top of the folk genre. Over a career spanning 30 years, this extraordinary Irish singer has captivated audiences, won numerous awards, and achieved exceptional acclaim. Mojo magazine describes her as having "quite possibly the world's most beautiful female voice." Today, she remains a towering figure in the Irish folk scene, captivating both audiences and critics with her spellbinding voice and unwavering commitment to her craft`. More recently, three of her songs were featured on the hit comedy Derry Girls, and her seminal 2024 release, Coming Home, was shortlisted for "Album of the Year" at the 2024 NI Music Prize.

As Upon A Winter’s Night returns once more, Dillon invites us to step away from the noise of the season and rediscover the quiet magic at its heart—an invitation that, for many, has become an essential part of Christmas itself.

“simple and stunning” - The Sunday Times “An instant Christmas classic” – BBC

A reminder of the real meaning of the Festive Season, uplifting and inspirational” - The Daily Echo