Sunshine, singing and festival season begins:
The sun is shining and Galway is alive with music, dance and song as we bring you a host of live music this Friday, June 2nd. The talented Padraig Jack is set to ignite the stage this evening at McBrides with the official launch of the Galway Folk Festival 2023 programme. The Inis Mór musician, who has toured with folk legend Damien Dempsey, will bring his Celtic and contemporary stylings to McBrides to officially launch the Galway Folk Festival Programme. Padraig’s debut album, Making Sand, received critical acclaim and the bilingual singer, who performs in Irish and English is passionate about his lyrics, bringing a modern voice to Irish song. Meanwhile, the exciting world folk sounds of Dallahan are set to take the stage at Monroe’s Live, while hard rock and metal fans will be captured by AC/DC tribute Hell’s Bell’s at the Róisín Dubh. Not only that, but you can dance the night away to Urban Friday’s at DNA as the sun sets over Galway bay or uncover the lyrical power of Galway’s favourite pop and rock covers band, The Lewd Tunes, at the historic King’s Head.
McBrides Bar:
6pm: Official Launch of the Galway Folk Festival 2023 Programme with Padraig Jack
Join talented musician Padraig Jack for the official launch of the Galway Folk Festival 2023 at McBrides on Dominick Street. For six days in June, Galway city will come alive with top local and international artists, as the Galway Folk Festival celebrates the very best of world-renowned and emerging talent.
Across multiple stages at different venues, singer-songwriters of such calibre as Galway Girl composer and Grammy award winner Steve Earle, Scottish indie-rockers, Teenage Fanclub, and the thundering might of tribal folk powerhouse KÍLA, will descend upon the city, joining the legendary Sharon Shannon Trio, the delicate harmonies of The Raines and the critically acclaimed The Whileaways among many others.
From Tuesday June 13th to Sunday June 18th, The Galway Folk Festival will showcase the best of folk, roots, and traditional music, from Ireland and beyond. With daytime and late-night events, the new 2023 festival programme has a wide appeal.
Monroe’s Live
8pm: The Exciting World-Folk Sounds of Scottish-Irish Band Dallahan
Fast, furious and forged in Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music scene, Dallahan deliver their style of world-folk with dazzling virtuosity. Described as Lúnasa for the new generation, this four-piece are whipping up a trad storm across the globe, touring extensively across Europe and the US.
Fresh from the release of their latest album entitled ‘Speak of the Devil’, this talented quartet – consisting of Jack Badcock on guitar and vocals, Ciaran Ryan on banjo, mandolin and fiddle, Andrew Waite on accordion and Benedict Morris on fiddle – will take to the award-winning stage at Monroe’s Live on Friday, June 2nd at 8pm.
Recognised internationally for their musical prowess, Dallahan take the rousing beat of traditional folk and merge it with the rhythms inspired by their travels. From Nepal to Milwaukee, this up-tempo group are performing trad for the modern age, with guitar and banjo riffs that ignite the room with wild abandon and flawless technique.
Join Dallahan as they bring their original, bold and brave collection of work to the west of Ireland at Monroe’s Live on Friday, June 2nd at 8pm. Tickets cost €15 and are available from this link Tickets to Dallahan at Monroe’s Live.
Róisín Dubh:
8pm: Hell’s Bells AC/DC Tribute band
We will be thunderstruck this evening at the Róisin Dubh with Hell’s Bells, perhaps the best known AC/DC tribute band. Hailing from Bristol, they have toured for over 25 years, building a loyal fan base as they cover four decades of the classic, foot stomping rock n’ roll. From the blistering scream of the vocals, the duck-walks, the pounding rhythm and bass and the frenzied schoolboy antics to the booming cannons and pyrotechnics at the finale, AC/DC fans will be enthralled. The camaraderie of all five musicians is second to none and the excitement and passion shines through.
Tickets to AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells at the Roisin Dubh
The Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen
10pm: Sum Craic followed by DJ Dave
One of Ireland’s best party bands, Sum Craic, will have you up and dancing tonight at the bustling hotspot that is the Skeff Late Bar and Kitchen. With their newly launched Grace’s cocktail lounge, this vibrant venue will be jumping to the best covers, anthems and top tunes as Sum Craic bring their energy and enthusiasm to the stage. This dynamic four-piece are renowned for playing back to back classic hits with flair. It’s one way to set your bank holiday weekend up in style. Afterwards, join DJ Dave from midnight as the evening hots up at the Skeff in Eyre Square.
DNA Nightclub
11pm-Late: Urban Friday
It’s Urban Friday tonight at Galway’s plush late night venue, DNA, with DJ’s Ebay and McGlory bringing you the biggest party in the west. Expect the best hip hop, afrobeats, amapiano, drill and RnB brought to you by Mayfair. DNA Nightclub is Galway’s premium late-night venue, located right at the heart of the city’s famous bustling nightlife. It’s the ideal place to party, dance and enjoy a brilliant night out while visiting the Galway.
With four bars, three levels, two dance floors, two outdoor terraces and a beautifully decorated, comfortable VIP Lounge named ‘The Attic’: DNA Nightclub defines the ultimate experience of Galway nightlife.
The King’s Head
10pm: The Lewd Tunes
Do you want to dance with somebody? Then kick off your bank holiday weekend in style with the Lewd Tunes. This seven piece band deliver incredible vocals and a rousing beat to bring you the very best covers and classics to entertain all night long. It’s set to be Friday night of anthems, and top tunes from across the decades, as this talented band deliver a high energy performance time and time again. Don’t miss your chance to catch The Lewd Tunes at the historic King’s Head in the heart of Galway city.
