Celtic rock is a genre of
folk rock, as well as a form of
Celtic fusion which incorporates
Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a
rock music context. It has been extremely prolific since the early 1970s and can be seen as a key foundation of the development of highly successful mainstream Celtic bands and popular musical performers, as well as creating important derivatives through further fusions. It has played a major role in the maintenance and definition of regional and national identities and in fostering a
pan-Celtic culture. It has also helped to communicate those cultures to external audiences.