the Bands... clara rose
Unforgettable powerful vocals, carefully crafted songs and water-tight band. Authentic roots n’ blues with a pinch of folk. With acoustic guitar in hand Clara Rose has been on the road with The Clara Rose Band and with The Don Baker Band playing shows & festivals nationwide, across Europe and the USA. 2017 sees Clara Rose embark on recording her second solo album with her band.
this year’s festival will feature over 50 Bands. soMe of our reGular artists are BacK alonGside soMe Great new PerforMers.
2nd drawer down
Eclectic mix of rock, pop, blues, folk and country music: songs of acoustic guitars, mandolin and percussion accompaniment. Forgotten classics with a mature yet fresh twist.
aManda st John
A soul, blues, pop singer from Glenariffe, Co. Antrim. Amanda is a mainstay on the Northern Ireland radio, festival and gig circuit and has been described as “An incredible vocal performer and songwriter” by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean. Amanda launched her debut album ‘Grow’ in May 2016.
crowBar Blues
Crowbar Blues formed in May 2006, they have played all the major blues festivals in Ireland including, Belfast City Blues, Harvest Time Blues, Blues on the Bay & Blackstairs Blues Festival. Front man Simon Smith is the 7 Hills Blues Fest founder and is joined by his brother Jonny on drums. Expect head down rockin blues!
BacKBone Blues
In the past Lee has toured and played alongside The Corrs, Westlife, The Commitments, and various Chicago Blues legends including John Primer and the late Phil Guy. Lee has recorded vocals for Rock god & Nazareth guitarist Manny Charlton (Texas). Rapidly becoming a world respected artist, this sought after Blues vocalist and frontman, appears at all the major festivals throughout Europe.
dana Masters clare sands
With a fiddle in one hand and a guitar in the other, Cork based Clare Sands is a 23 year old musician, songwriter and composer. She performs in a variety of genres, her own material being a unique amalgamation of Folk, Trad, Jazz & Blues. Clare released her debut album ‘Join Me At The Table’ to critical acclaim in late 2016.
Originally from the Deep South in the United States, Dana grew up with the sound of soul, rhythm and blues and gospel music all around her. Her love for music developed as she grew up and lead her to studying music, majoring in vocal performance at university. From live work with BBC Radio 4 and Proms in the Park to singing regularly with Van Morrison, Dana’s reputation as one of Ireland’s top vocalists continues to gain momentum.
little wilGar & the cracKPot Preachers
Born in ‘65 this hard working bluesman picked up the harmonica at nine years of age and has been blasting out tunes ever since. Well known on both the local and international scene Mike “Little” Wilgar and his band “Little Wilgar & The Crackpot Preachers” have received great praise from blues critics and fans.
BlacKwood
Blackwood blues, rock band is a dynamic power trio featuring the inimitable styles of Sam Davidson lead guitarist and vocals [ex Taste], Lyn Mc Mullan drums [ex Redhouse] and Laurence Dugan bassist [ex Pontiax]. Together they bring an exciting edge to classic blues, early Taste numbers and Sam’s own originals.
clive Barnes
Clive Barnes is a guitarist, singer and songwriter of rare quality. Clive has released four studio albums to date the latest of which, ‘The Ghost Country’ garnered rave four and five star reviews with his previous album, ‘Welcome To Farewell’ winning Album of the Year in US publication Acoustic Guitar.
dave MchuGh
Award winning Blues Guitarist Dave McHugh has led his own band for over 20 years now. With his beloved Fender Strat and Marshall amp, Dave and his band are a mainstay on the Irish and European blues scene. Despite being compared to Irish Bluesmen Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore, Dave has his own unique style.
alan McKelvey
“A band not to be missed, Alan’s guitar skills are second to none, and his voice is the gem of the local scene”, Empire Music Hall. Alan has notched up a well-received series of gigs all over the country and the UK, leaving behind only satisfied music lovers. Whether it’s an intimate acoustic performance, soulful R&B experience, he’s got the tee shirt.
lee hedley
These lads have been playing together for over 35 years and are made up of the talented Karl Hughes on drums, Raymond McEvoy on vocals, Gareth Hughes on guitar and Ritchie McEvoy on bass. Many of the bands songs come from the pen of Ritchie with influences such as BB King, Muddy Waters, Rory Gallagher and Van Morrison.
Blues Katz
Ben reel Band
casino Jazz Band
Supporting Van Morrison and Larry Garner, The Katz have also opened for musics greats Peter Green, Paul Jones and The Yardbirds. They can find Muddy, Sonny Boy, Jimi and BB all in one groove! Bluez Katz front man Ian Sands is the founder of the International Blues on the Bay Festival Warrenpoint.
ludwiG & co
Ludwig & Co are a seasoned professional two piece equally comfortable in any genre. Journeymen in the realms of folk, rock and blues, they litter their repertoire with songs that are a little different from other blues acts. For a duo with no backing tracks, hats or gimmicks these guys really ‘fillout’ the sound.
cold Porter
Featuring the voice of Eilish McCarthy, Cold Porter deliver a wide range of music spanning decades and genres. Expect anything from sixties soul to seventies funk blended with jazz and blues/rock classics. The band have been playing together for over a decade now and a have a strong local following.
Grainne duffy
Grainne Duffy is a contemporary blues based artist hailing from Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Described by The Sunday Times as ‘a blues singer of real integrity’, she is a pioneer of her own style while also paying sincere homage to her roots, soul, blues and rock traditions. She is a seasoned artist and has been spending the last number of years touring in Europe, Scandinavia, Canada and beyond.
luKe & the PainKillers
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allison McGrath and soulantics
Allison’s original songs bring influences from John Martyn, Sade and Etta James, a soulful blend of jazz, blues and folk. Allison’s band ‘Soulantics’ features Karl Hughes, Dermot McQuaid, Gareth Hughes, Mervyan Crawford and Paul McMahon. With the vision to record and perform original songs, the band released their critically acclaimed album ‘Overboard’ in 2012 which received cracking reviews and a MRU award for Best Soul/Jazz/ Funk band.
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. Over the last 7 years Ben has enjoyed successful tours in Europe, UK & U.S.A receiving rave reviews and attracting a growing fan base.
The Fabulous Casino Jazz Band is a toe tapping dancing experience not to be missed. These guys bring you their unique sound and style of the New Orleans Dixieland Jazz, tunes from Burbon Street in the oldest quarter of New Orleans to standards like Midnight in Moscow.
crow BlacK chicKen
Crow Black Chicken have earned back-pats aplenty for their dirty southern blues sound. This power trio of Christy O Hanlon [Vocals, Guitar], Stephen McGrath [Bass] and Gev Barrett [Drums, Backing vocals] combine elements of folk, hard rock and the blues of bands like Gov’t Mule to create their greasy no messin blues rock sound.
MarK Braidner
JacKie Mcauley
Formerly of the famous ‘THEM’, alongside Van Morrison, Jackie’s musical career blossomed having performed with Lonnie Donegan, Fairport Convention and Rick Wakeman. This is an outstanding blues band of the highest calibre!
A competent slide and finger style guitarist influenced primarily by the pre-war blues of the 1920s and 1930s Mark Braidner along with his band offer a mix of everything from Ragtime and Houkum styles through to down home Delta blues. Their driving beats and infectious rhythms get toes tapping wherever they play.