Galway bands to the fore in Folk and Bluegrass Festival

Date Published: 29-Jun-2012

 JUST one week on from the hugely successful Westport Festival of Music, the Co Mayo town is set for another memorable musical bash when it hosts its sixth annual Folk and Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

No fewer than four of the ten bands playing over the three nights of the festival are from Galway, with The Molly Hicks, The Higglers, Mikey and The Scallywags, and Doghouse all set to headline.

“Bluegrass and old time music have become increasingly popular in Ireland in a matter of just a few years, and some of the most authentic and talented bands can be found in Galway,” says Ruth Dillon of The Molly Hicks.

Her six piece band, featuring the vocals of Bernie O’Mahony, is set to headline the main stage in the Wyatt Hotel on Saturday night after playing lunchtime slots at the festival over the past two years. The band are promising a mixture of rip-roaring tunes and heart-stopping four part harmonies.

Also on Saturday, Galway veterans The Higglers will bring their old time music to the main stage, featuring the banjo duet of Frank Hall and Lena Ullman and a rocking rhythm section of Brendan Hearty (guitar) and Paul Johnson (bass).

The Higglers play a mixture of raw Appalachian melodies and country vocals, including mountain songs, as well as murder ballads and serenades.

Mikey and The Scallywags are regular buskers in Galway city centre, playing their instruments on three foot high poles.

And Doghouse are a relatively new three piece, led by singer Mark McConville, formerly of No Banjo.

Juliana Erokonen will play with both The Molly Hicks and Doghouse during what promises to be a busy weekend.