FESTIVAL JUST GOT STARTED
THE HARBOUR Roots Festival is under way at the seafront venue from today ( Wednesday), until Sunday, August 27.
Here’s your chance to see some of Ireland’s finest original acts work their musical magic. Running across five days and nights, and celebrate some of the finest folk, bluegrass, Americana and country music acts in the country with a couple of very special guests from further afield.
On opening night, Dick Valentine will be on the Harbour stage. He is better known as the lead singer of the hit making machine Electric Six. We all remember the dance-floor hit ‘Danger! High Voltage’. Come and witness the intimate Dick Valentine solo acoustic experience.
It’s a low pressure, good time affair as the Electric Six frontman strips down all your favourite songs from the Electric Six catalogue, plays original solo material and swims in a sea of requested goodtime covers.
Bluesman Mick Heslin is a contradiction in terms. For a musician in his twenties, he plays the blues with the heart and soul of a man far beyond his years. Mick has been impressing audiences around with shows around Ireland since he was 16 years old. Mick has opened for such artists as Arlo Guthrie, N.C Lawlor and has played numerous festivals throughout the country.
Eoin Glackin is known for his passionate storytelling and roots-rock style, but his live shows also show another side to his songwriting, featuring upbeat, pop-infused songs, at times more influenced by Prince and Beck than Kris Kristofferson. Check out Eoin’s track Rain Finally Came
On Thursday, August 24, it’s Corner Boy
and Kenny Foster, all from 9 p.m.
Corner Boy blend together traditional Irish instruments and folk progressions with contemporary musical themes, lending to a distinctly energetic sound juxtaposed with a haunting narrative.
The Hot Sprockets will headline on Friday, with Rye River Band on from 9.
Rye River Band bring an eclectic mix of Americana using piano, banjo, harmonica, accordion, acoustic/electric guitars, vocals and a driving rhythm section.
On Saturday, August 26, the music will start at 5 p.m. with The Whole Hog Band, followed by the Dublin Bluegrass Collective at 7. Pete Cummins will be on from 9 p.m., and from 11 p.m. until 12.30 a.m. it’s the Gavin Glass band.
Singer-songwriter and producer extraordinaire, Glass is one of Ireland’s most talented and hardworking musicians. Now on his fourth solo album Sunday Songs, he has also produced and played on numerous albums for the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Mundy, Cathy Davey and Declan O’Rourke, amongst many more.
On Sunday, August 27, Gavin Povey will open proceedings at 6 p.m. at 8 p.m. it’s David Keenan, followed by The Nickjack Men at 9.30 p.m.
Hailing from Scotland and newbies to The Harbour Bar, The Nickjack Men pitch their style somewhere between alternative-country and indie rock.
With heavy influences from bands such as Wilco, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams. They’ve been awarded Best Newcomer, 2016 Best Alternative/Indie Act and Best Song at the Alternative Music in Falkirk Awards. Their EP ‘ Wasting’ is out now and here’s a taster with the lead track ‘Running’.