Last modified: Wednesday, August 8, 2007 11:38 PM EDT Irish festival in Canton rocks out BY RICK FOSTER / STAFF WRITER CANTON -- For nearly 20 years, the area's most prestigious Irish music and culture festival oscillated between a small, homegrown collection of bands and artists and a major musical celebration attracting both local acts and famous artists from "across the pond." With this year's edition, dubbed the Icons festival, organizers have established this weekend on the grounds of the Irish Cultural Center of New England firmly among festivals competing for international fame and recognition. Formerly known as the Irish Connections Festival, Icons is sporting a totally revamped image and lineup this year featuring The Black Crowes, the Dropkick Murphys and other crossover ethnic-pop bands along with such traditional favorites as Mick Moloney. Although one may be tempted to ask whether the Icons festival crew has "gone Hollywood" with its selection of national contemporary acts for its three-day run, producer Brian O'Donovan said the juxtaposition of Irish harpists and folk singers with internationally known stars is a return to music festivals on the European model. "In Europe, a festival typically features many diverse forms of music," said O'Donovan, host of the WGBH radio program "A Celtic Sojourn." "So ordinarily you wouldn't be limited to only traditional sounds." With more expensive talent comes pricier admission - $50 per day for an all-access ticket or $125 for the entire weekend, which includes all the major stage acts. But a majority of the musical performances will be off the main stage, and to cater to fans who aren't necessarily angling to see the big acts, a daily general admission ticket can be bought for $20. O'Donovan said the unusual, three-tier admission system is designed to keep the festival attractive to the greatest number of fans. Typically during good weather, the three-day festival attracts between 25,000 and 35,000 fans. The festival, which has been staged in various forms for the past 17 years, has been fully done over, O'Donovan says. First, it has been moved from its original early June slot to the second weekend in August on the pastoral, 50-acre grounds of the Irish Cultural Centre off Route 138. The revamped festival will feature Irish culture in all its manifestations, from rock and avant garde productions to the more traditional Irish folk. Besides the Dropkick Murphys and The Black Crowes, rock-oriented acts will include the Saw Doctors, Black 47, MRNORTH, The Prodigals and The Tossers. Altan, Dervish, Tommy Fleming, Cherish the Ladies, Liz Carroll and John Doyle, Kevin Burke and Mick Moloney, meanwhile, are squarely anchored in traditional Irish music and song. Nanci Griffith, The Roches, Uncle Earl, and Antje Duvekot will celebrate the deep connections between Irish music and the world of folk, country, jazz and and traditional American music. "This event truly embodies the mission of The Irish Cultural Centre of New England," said Sean Grant, the Center's new Executive Director. "From our president Michael O'Connor to the member who just joined us yesterday, we are thrilled by the prospects of celebrating and sharing the many aspects of our Irish heritage and culture." If you go ... WHAT: Icons Festival WHEN: Friday, Saturday and Sunday WHERE: Irish Cultural Center of New England, Canton TICKETS & ARTISTS: All-access three-day pass, $120 All-access Friday, 7 p.m., $50, main stage — The Black Crowes, The Saw Doctors, Black 47 All-access Saturday, noon, $50 ($10 kids) main stage — Nanci Griffith, Altan, Dervish, The Roches, Antje Duvekot, Tommy Fleming, Boega and Uncle Earl All-access Sunday, noon, $50, main stage — The Dropkick Murphys, MRNORTH, The Tossers, Enter the Haggis, Dervish and Dennis Brennan Festival grounds only Saturday and Sunday, $20, doesn’t include main stage. MORE INFORMATION: www.iconsfestivalcom