Soul-baring, seafaring, kilt-wearing Celts who happened to be born in South America, Banda Taverna is Brazil’s premier Celtic band. Playing iconic songs from the Celtic repertoire and powered by rocket fuel, they impact the crowd with high-energy stage dynamics, captivating voice harmonies, and original arrangements that show incredible mastery of each of their instruments. The final product is a unique rocking party session, bringing audiences of all ages to their feet and singing along.

Taverna Duo features long-time friends and bandmates Gustavo Fofão and Rafael Salobreña. One infuses the music with fingerstyle guitar wizardry and thundering vocals, while using the stage as a percussion instrument. The other is the band’s secret weapon for high energy and dynamics, driving the beat on his “punk rock” bodhran with a wink and a grin.

The band formed in 2013, drawn together by their love of the Celtic music they’d heard in TV shows and video games. Taverna quickly became the go-to band for Brazil’s best St. Patrick’s Day festivals. They began touring abroad in 2018, and as of today, the band counts a prestigious number of 100 shows performed in North America, including events like the Utah Renaissance Fair, the Spanish Peaks Celtic Festival (CO), and the Highland Games in Canmore and Fergus.

In 2019, they released their first album, LIBERTAS, a collection of original and traditional tunes spiced up with textures and colours from various cultures

People don’t just listen to Banda Taverna. They fall in love! None can resist these South American musicians, whose passion, camaraderie, and warmth reveal the true Celtic spirit in all of us.