Ben Reel Band

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Showing on Saturday, 22 June 2013

Ben Reel Band

A native of South Armagh, and basing himself in Monaghan, The Ben Reel Band have just released their 4th album, ‘New Horizon’, to rave reviews and some major airplay around the world, which also has not gone unnoticed by some of the world’s biggest record companies, in particular Sony Columbia NY which has recently offered them a deal. The band has built a solid reputation around the country and further a field as one of the tightest and best live acts around. The music offers a refreshing earthy, soulful, rootsie, and rockin sound, delivered by an excellent set of musicians that will leave you roaring for more. Don’t miss this one, it promises to be a great gig!

Irish born singer/songwriter Ben Reel will release his 6th studio album in 2013 entitled “Darkness And The Light”. It will include 16 brand new songs. This will be the first record that he has recorded & produced in his own home studio in Co. Armagh, N. Ireland.

Since his debut back in 1999, each album has gone from strength to strength, touching on different styles of music along the way from rock, soul, blues, Alt Folk/Americana with the occasional injection of reggae.

This was highlighted on his

2012, 18 song best of album (Ben Reel 1999-2009 Compilation 10) released only as a limited edition for loyal fans to buy at gigs, but is also available on iTunes.

Ben’s music has evolved into an honest earthy, soulful sound that has matured like a fine wine and he has very much his own sound today.. This can be heard on this new “Darkness And The Light” album.

Ben Reel never makes the same album twice and this new album is testimony to that. “Darkness And The Light” has more edge and more up tempo feel than his previous release in 2009 “Time To Get Real”.

The songs deal with the struggles of  life of the ordinary people since the global economic crash.

Also probing for spiritual meaning and balance between the Yin and the Yang, trying to find  light, hope and healing in these dark troubled times. Serious songs from a serious artist in a serious moment in time.

In the last 10 years he has had numerous high profile TV & Radio appearances and airplay under his belt including Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 and has supported celebrated names like Jools Holland, Alabama 3 and The Cranberries. He has performed his radio hit ‘U People’ with the late great Ian Dury’s legendary ‘Blockheads’ and has recorded the song with award winning saxophonist Gilard Atzman.

Also over the last 5 years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Europe, receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing fan base which has lead to being invited to play the prestigious Dutch festival Huntenpop in August 2010 . His band includes amongst the finest musicians in Ireland, his brother in law Michael Black on Drums, Ronnie O’Flynn on bass and Mick McCarney on guitar. With this line up they have built up a loyal underground following. Ben is often described as an ‘artist lying beneath the radar for way too long’.

In  2010  Ben played showcase gigs in Nashville & Memphis (Folk Alliance) and plans are in place to return to the U.S  in 2013 to promote his new record. Plus he will be touring extensively in Ireland, UK & Europe, with plans also in the pipeline for Australia at some stage in the near future.

www.benreel.com 

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10

Peter Moore - Downtown Manhattan & Other Tall Stories...

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Showing on Saturday, 29 June 2013

Peter Moore - Downtown Manhattan & Other Tall Stories...

The long awaited album from Peter Moore is now available. This album is a collection of recordings that span a number of years, and includes a host of great musicians that have been a part of Peter's rich musical assemblage’s. Peter is known for his live on the edge poetic performances and the musicians who have worked with him are capable of turning corners at a moments notice, they have to be because that's the way Peter works.  This album is a taste of Peter Moore the Performer, the Musician, and the Voice, the voice that could grind coffee beans and make music at the same time. Tonight experience the album live…..

 www.myspace.com/harrymcdead 

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10

Dave McHugh with John Quearney and Noel Bridgeman

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Showing on Saturday, 06 July 2013

Dave McHugh with John Quearney and Noel Bridgeman

Blues guitarist Dave McHugh has spent the past 15 years keeping the music of the great Rory Gallagher alive and well. This year alone Dave headlined the 6th annual Rory Gallagher review in Wiesbaden, Germany; the Wijk aan Zee festival in The Netherlands, and the 'Rock on the Ferry' festival in Glasgow.

As well as tours on the continent, Dave and his band (Alan Devitt on Drums and Peter Butler on Bass) have toured throughout Ireland extensively, playing in bars and clubs. The band have also headlined the International Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon, the Cork Rocks for Rory Festival in Cork City, and the Cashelised Festival in Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Noel Bridgeman – drums and vocals, is undoubtedly one of the best drummers that Ireland has ever produced. He started playing with Skid Row: Phillip Lynott on vocals, Brush Shiels on bass, Gary Moore on guitar. Noel has played and recorded with artists such as Mary Black, Mike Scott and the Waterboys, Jackson Browne, Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle, Christy Moore, Van Morrison, Mick Hanley, Donal Lunny, The Corrs, The Chieftans and Paul Brady. Apart from his ability as drummer and percussionist, Noel is a very distinctive singer. His funky, unique and very soulful interpretations of blues, rock and soul classics are a must hear for any fan of these genres.

John Quearney – bass and vocals. John began playing bass in the 60s with Dublin beat groups, playing blues by The Rolling Stones and The Beatles and like a lot of musicians at the time he played with show bands such as The Wheels, Big Jim Farelly and Roly Daniels and Stage 2. In the 80s and 90s he played with Wally Page's cajun band The Big Mistake, blues bands The Business and Red Peter's, The Floating Dublin Blues Band. In the mid 90s he formed the Heavyweights with Noel Bridgeman and played with and accompanied great singers and musicians such as Jeff Healy, Big Jack Johnston, Donavan, Henry McCullough, Jimmy Faulkner, Pat Farrell, Ditch Cassidy, Mary Stokes, Honor Heffernan, Bree Harris, Paul Brady and Johnny Duhan. John has recorded many albums as an invited session musician. In November 2008 he was a founding member of Left Right and Centre with Ed Deane, Noel Bridgeman.

 www.davemchughband.com 

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10

Bree Harris Band

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Showing on Saturday, 13 July 2013

Bree Harris Band

Back by popular demand Bree and her excellent band return to see in the summer season. Both a singer and a songwriter Bree has built up a reputation of being one of Ireland’s finest singers. She has appeared on many TV shows. With consummate playing fronted by Bree's sublime vocals, covering a breadth of styles from rock to jazz and blues. Her biggest influences are Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, KD Lang, Lyle Lovett, Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley. Check her out always a treat!

www.breeharris.com 

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10

The Rumboogies

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Showing on Saturday, 20 July 2013

The Rumboogies

“The Rumboogies are a six-piece BLUES’N’ GROOVES machine!” Sizzling lead guitar, pulsating keyboards, powerhouse harmonica, dynamite vocals, muscular bass, and demon drums all combine to deliver a blues experience rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic… To the Chicago Blues of Muddy Waters and Little Walter and the West-Coast stylings of Rod Piazza, James Harman and William Clarke,  The Rumboogies add a Liffey Delta flavour all of their own. The Rumboogies are Tommy Grimes, Graham Hynes, AJ Wails, Barry O’Reilly, Vinny O’Connor and Brendan Priestley. Ditch those recessionary Blues and boogie on down to The Rumboogies... You will not be disappointed!!!

 www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rumboogies/125126070887602 

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10

Susan Tomelty Band

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Showing on Saturday, 27 July 2013

Susan Tomelty Band

Featuring: Susan Tomelty (vocals/guitar). Pat Farrell (lead guitar/vocals). Tommy Moore (bass/vocals). Fran Byrne (drums) and James Delaney (piano/organ).

Northerner Susan Tomelty has embarked on a musical journey that has brought her to Dublin, via Leiitrim, Belfast, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and Nashville. With the release of “Belfast Live” CD in 1996, she supported Van Morrison and sang for Nelson Mandela in Glasgow. A pure and distinctive voice, she can cover a wide range of material but her influences are more Rhythm & Blues, Soul and Gospel, calling from artists such as Big Mama Thornton, Ida Cox, John Mayall and his Blues Breakers, Peter Green, Mavis Staples, Susan Tedeschi, Etta James, Freddy King, Red Peters and Ruthie Foster. A raunchy, funcky evening of Rhythm & Blues is promised. Will be great….don’t miss this one!

 www.susantomelty.net

Doors 9pm   -   Adm €10