Friday Night Live: Ben Reel

Irish troubadour Ben Reel returns with his twelfth studio album, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’. In a world marked by war, division, and uncertainty, the record carries a timeless message: hope, resilience, and above all, love. It’s a journey that blends grit with grace, reinforcing Ben’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most versatile and enduring songwriters.

Critics have compared him to John Hiatt, Roy Orbison, even dubbing him “the Irish Springsteen,” yet his sound remains unmistakably his own.

Across a solo career spanning more than 25 years, Ben has released a string of acclaimed albums, including ‘The Nashville Calling’ (2020), recorded with Will Kimbrough and featuring E Street Band’s Garry W. Tallent, which topped the Euro Americana Chart. His most recent records, ‘Locked in & Live’ (2022) and ‘Come a Long Way’ (2023), cemented his reputation as a fearless and ever-evolving artist.

Ben has performed on BBC, RTÉ, Dutch NPO Radio, toured internationally, and shared stages with artists like Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith and Eric Andersen. From Nashville’s Bluebird Café to European festivals, his reputation as a committed live performer continues to grow.