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THE BEDLAM BOYS

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The Bedlam Boys are a Celtic-folk-punk ensemble from Montréal, led by fiddler, singer, and modern bard Jonathan Moorman. Committed to the preservation of Celtic musical traditions passed down through mentors and master players, their sound also blends Roma intensity, Québécois rhythm, and the unrestrained energy of folk-punk revivalism. Their concerts feel like rituals of resurrection: voices lifted together, feet pounding the floor, strangers becoming kin. The Bedlam Boys play with devotion, rebellion, and ecstatic joy— dispensing music as healing in a mad world.

MEET THE BAND

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Jonathan Moorman - Fiddle, Vocals

Jonathan Moorman is a classically trained Montréal-based fiddler, composer, and musical shapeshifter whose work bridges tradition, rebellion, and raw emotional truth. Currently the founder and leader of The Bedlam Boys, Jonathan draws on Irish, Scottish, and Québécois fiddle traditions while infusing his sound with Roma fire, folk-punk grit, and the improvisational freedom of contemporary acoustic music. His performances are marked by a rare combination of technical precision and unrestrained heart—music played not just to entertain, but to transform, spreading positivity and unbridled joy. Raised between British and Celtic cultures and forever drawn to the stories carried in traditional music, Jonathan approaches the fiddle as both a healing instrument and a conduit for communal energy. Deeply inspired by the Pogues and their story, and the Irish experience of rising up from oppression, he celebrates struggle, pain, passion, humour and cameraderie through music making. He describes himself as “an interpreter of music” in a way that is “honest and authentic.” With The Bedlam Boys, he pushes Celtic roots music into new expressive territory, weaving myth, movement, and musical alchemy into a fully immersive experience. His ethos—music as medicine in a mad world—underpins the band’s dedication to emotional alchemy, community connection, and the preservation of Celtic musical lineages passed down through mentors and master players. Beyond Bedlam, Jonathan is an in-demand collaborator who performs with dynamic ensembles such as Origines and The Swindlers, each allowing him to explore different facets of his artistry—from driving traditional sessions to cinematic folk arrangements and raucous festival-ready sets. His playing is instantly recognizable for its tone: warm, visceral, and capable of moving from whisper-soft tenderness to ecstatic intensity within a single phrase. Whether on a pub stage, at a Canadian folk festival, or in the studio crafting original material, Jonathan Moorman remains devoted to music as a force for connection, catharsis, and joy. His mission is simple: to create spaces where people feel like “they are in the music, to sing, dance, feel, and remember what it means to be fully alive.”

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Scott Lee Mitchell - Guitar, Vocals

Scott Lee Mitchell is a veteran Montreal-based guitarist whose sound sits at the crossroads of Celtic energy, folk-punk grit, and contemporary rock sensibility. Known for his clean yet fiery technique, locked-in rhythm work, and instinctive musicality, Scott has become a driving force in one of Canada’s most exciting Celtic-inspired ensembles: The Bedlam Boys. Raised on a mix of traditional music and rebellious guitar-driven genres, Scott developed an ear for both the subtlety of roots playing and the raw power of amplified performance. That dual lineage shapes his style today—equal parts groove, swagger, and heart. His guitar lines anchor the rhythm section, uplift the melody players, and bring unmistakable punch to the stage. He describes himself as a perfectionist that “never gave up on himself” and continues to advance his craft. Previously with The Peelers, one of the country’s longest-running Celtic punk bands, Scott contributed to a sound that has been celebrated across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. With The Bedlam Boys, Scott leans into a more mythic and communal musical world: Celtic roots infused with Roma, folk-rock, Québécois, and punk influences. The band values audience participation, emotional alchemy, and creating a sense of collective joy—elements that resonate richly with Scott’s own approach to performance. Onstage, Scott is both grounding and explosive: a player who listens deeply, elevates others, and brings precision to even the wildest musical moments. Offstage, he is committed to artistic collaboration, musical craft, and the preservation and evolution of the Celtic idiom. Whether in pubs, concert halls, or festival fields, Scott Lee Mitchell’s guitar work is the backbone that steadies the storm—and the spark that sets it alight.

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Clinton Ryder - Bass

Clinton Ryder is one of Montréal’s most expressive and adaptable bassists, a musician whose playing is defined by groove, emotional depth, and a commitment to serving the story within every song. His musical roots span classical, folk, jazz, Celtic traditions, and contemporary indie music, giving him a tonal palette and rhythmic intelligence that allow him to move fluidly across genres. Based in Montréal, Ryder is a core member of The Bedlam Boys, where his bass lines form the heartbeat of the group’s Celtic-punk-folk fusion. In a band known for shapeshifting melodies, ritual-like energy, and community-driven performance, Ryder provides both the grounding and the lift—anchoring the wildness while elevating the music’s pulse. His playing brings weight, warmth, and a kinetic force that turns songs into experiences, inviting audiences into the band’s collective storytelling and dance-driven spirit. Ryder brings what he describes as a suborn work ethic and a sense of perfectionism to his creative work. A versatile collaborator, Ryder has performed and recorded with numerous artists across Québec and Canada, contributing his signature blend of rhythmic steadiness and melodic sensitivity to projects spanning singer-songwriter, folk fusion, world music, and experimental styles. His approach is rooted in listening: to the musicians around him, to the emotional intention of the piece, and to the subtle interplay that makes live performance feel alive. He strives for a groove with aligned harmony and energy. Whether on stage in a crowded pub, at a festival, or in the studio shaping new works, Ryder brings professionalism, heart, and a deep musical intuition. With The Bedlam Boys entering a new era of original compositions and cross-cultural influences, Clinton Ryder stands at the centre of the band’s evolving sound—steady, soulful, and unmistakably himself.

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Rachel Campbell - Fiddle, Vocals, Keyboards, Harp

Rachel Campbell is a versatile Canadian musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter whose roots in Alexandria, Ontario and creative life in Montréal shape a sound that is both deeply traditional and boldly contemporary. A classically trained violinist and vocalist who later expanded into harp, mandolin, piano, guitar, and percussion, Rachel moves fluently between musical worlds—Celtic, folk, indie-rock, Celtic-punk, and modern singer-songwriter—crafting performances that feel equally at home in a pub session, a festival stage, or an intimate listening room. Raised in a region where Scottish and Irish musical traditions remain alive, Rachel started playing music at age 3! Her heritage is a mix of Scottish and French, with the music and step dancing of Cape Breton traditions. She absorbed fiddle tunes early in life, but it was her curiosity and restless creative spirit that pushed her beyond genre boundaries. She credits many amazing music teachers who wanted to share their wisdom with her. She stresses the importance of preserving generational music traditions, as she “fought a lot to continue to do what we love.” A creative shape-shifter, Rachel has performed with an array of Ontario and Québec bands, from high-energy Celtic-punk ensembles to atmospheric folk-rock groups, as well as pursuing a growing solo career. Rachel’s artistry is defined not only by technical skill but by emotional honesty. Through her music, Rachel alchemizes darker feelings of anger into love and purity, what she calls “music with good intention.” Whether playing a driving reel or a slow air, she brings an immediacy that draws her audience into the heart of the music. Reviewers have praised her live performances for their “superb sound,” “trad magic,” and her natural ability to weave stories between tunes, creating a shared communal experience. She brings healing energy through her music, as expressed in her stage persona “Hythe” – a resting place for weary travellers. In addition to performing, Rachel is a dedicated music educator who teaches violin, harp, voice, and other instruments. Her philosophy is rooted in accessibility, creativity, and the belief that musical expression is a form of personal transformation. Her students—whether young beginners or adult learners—benefit from her gentle encouragement, precision, and the wide musical vocabulary she brings into her lessons. Now based between Alexandria and Montréal, Rachel continues to expand her artistic reach, collaborating with emerging and established musicians, recording new material, and performing across Canada and beyond. With her rich blend of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt performance, she stands among the next generation of Canadian folk artists carrying the music forward — honouring its roots while carving out a voice entirely her own.

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Will Laurin - Drums

The drum chair in the Bedlam Boys is currently being filled by our great friend Will Laurin

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