The Curious Bards

Since 2015, The Curious Bards have brought together five musicians with a passion for 18th-century folk music from Northern Europe, but with a rather unique approach: a fusion of in-depth musicological research and boundless energy.

Trained at conservatoires in Lyon, Paris and Basel, they have immersed themselves in the world of Irish, Scottish, English, Swedish and Norwegian music, seeking to rediscover and reinterpret old repertoires whilst adding their own modern and creative touch.

The group is much more than just a collection of musicians: they are a bunch of slightly mad researchers, embarking on sonic explorations, deciphering forgotten instrumental techniques, and breathing new life into old tunes whilst energising them with a contagious freshness.

Their sound? A perfect blend of authenticity, research and raw energy that makes you dance as much as it makes you think. Every concert is a journey where tradition and innovation intersect and embrace, and where music becomes a living, thrilling adventure. The Curious Bards have been supported from the outset by the Cité de la Voix de Vézelay, then joined the EEEmerging programme at the Ambronay Festival in 2016, before being supported since 2020 by the Caisse des Dépôts as their principal sponsor.

With over 300 concerts and four albums released on Harmonia Mundi (Extradition, 2017; Indiscretion, 2023; Sublimation, 2025; Rebellion, released in January 2027), they have established their dual approach: a masterful blend of serious musicological research and unbridled creativity. It’s tradition, but reinvented with a touch of madness, resulting in something both profound and utterly joyful!

April 2026