Based in the La Crosse region and officially formed on St. Patrick’s Day 2004, Amadans help bring Irish music culture into the Midwest pub and festival scene. From the beginning they aimed to capture the authentic spirit of traditional Irish pub music, but with a rock-inflected energy that could engage audiences beyond just the folk/trad scene. Amadans have carved out a noteworthy place in the region’s Irish-music scene: rooted in tradition, energized by rock sensibilities, connected to community, and living their craft through live performance and recording. They serve as a bridge between community events (St. Patrick’s Day, pub nights) and larger Irish-heritage festivals. Their role at Irishfest La Crosse and with the Shamrock Club of La Crosse underscores how they’ve become part of the local Irish-music infrastructure. Their music appeals to dancers and non-musician audiences, not just traditional-music purists, which helps broaden the reach of Irish music in the area.
Amadans core lineup is Finnian Cullen on bodhrán and vocals, Barry Byrne on guitar and vocals, Sherri Byrne on upright bass and vocals, and Kyle Humfeld on accordion and tenor banjo. These musicians bring together strong instrumental chops with vocal ability—and they share a love for Irish music heritage and live-performance energy.
2025: A Year in Retrospect
The year 2025 proved to be a significant year for Amadans, moving beyond two decades since the band’s inception in 2004. This year saw Amadans elevate their musical endeavors to new heights.
March consistently remains a bustling month for Amadans. They commenced the celebration by performances at the Freighthouse in La Crosse after the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and their return to The Bodega, La Crosse, Wisconsin after a one year hiatus. The celebratory weekend concluded at the Old Oak Inn, Bed & Breakfast and Acorn Lounge in Soldiers Grove.
In June, Amadans made their debut performance at Lawler Irish Fest. It was certainly a hot day, but they made numerous new fans.
August was filled with vibrant festivals. Amadans returned to Irishfest La Crosse, where they supported their beloved dance group, ClogJam. Their performance was exceptional,. The combined energy of ClogJam and Amadans resonated throughout the tent, prompting the audience to clap and tap along during the entire set.
During the third weekend of August, Amadans made their second appearance on the main stage at Larryfest, one of the region’s premier bluegrass festivals. The atmosphere that night was electric; the crowd, the lights, and the magic created a memorable experience, with one attendee remarking, “Those guys are fun!” It was a privilege to perform at such a cherished and longstanding event.
In October, Amadans performed for a fundraiser for the music department of the Arcadia area schools. This fundraiser featured numerous musical acts from throughout the area. It was a privilege to participate in such an event.
The year wrapped up with another performance at Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub in Galena. Experiencing Halloween weekend in Galena is truly special, and Amadans are excited to return for Halloween 2026!
Upcoming Shows:
March 14, Leo & Leona’s, Bangor, WI (Newburg Corners, Hwy 33) | 7 pm
May 30, Private Party
Live from the Sound Lounge
Amadans Live from the Sound Lounge was recorded live in the studio during the pandemic shutdown in March 2021. This is a complete live recording in the studio along with Brittany Styles of Z-93 and Mid-West Family Broadcasting. Featured along with Amadans is special guest guitarist and vocalist, Jon Popelka.
Click here to view the entire one-hour broadcast.
Amadans with ClogJam
Amadans have had many opportunities to collaborate with our friends from ClogJam, a group of La Crosse, Wisconsin dancers. Together, they have performed a variety of styles of music, including, Irish music, Bluegrass, and Old Time. They have made several appearances together at the La Crosse Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade and Irishfest La Crosse.
Click here to view their performance of Little Beggerman at La Crosse’s Irishfest.