Galway tribute to a musical pioneer

A host of Galway’s finest musicians are coming together to honour one of their own – a musical pioneer who sadly passed away just a year ago.

Mike Arrigan played in a host of bands and with a variety of different styles – from jazz/funk to rock to pop…even to a stint in the showbands with the Apaches.

He twice enjoyed the thrill of chart hits – but it was as a percussionist and a teacher that he is remembered mostly fondly by so many.

That’s why the friends and family of Mike Arrigan have come together to honour a friend, brother and musician who died on November 13 2015.

They are putting the finishing touches to a powerful musical show, which tells the story of Mike’s musical life, to pay tribute to his talent, his teachings and his contribution to the music world – particularly in Galway.

The show – narrated by Paraic Breathnach – takes place in the Town Hall Theatre on Thursday, January 26, at 8pm. All the proceeds are going to the Galway branch of the Irish Guide Dogs.

This show, with emphasis on rhythmic percussion, tells the story of Mike’s musical life as a drummer, musician and mentor, retracing steps through the music from the seventies to the noughties as performed by Galway’s best musicians and bands.

Highlights will include Mike’s Galway Contemporary School of Music will perform “Dance with the Devil”; the Macnas drummers, the Apaches and even a Glamrock tribute.

Bands taking part include the Elastic Band, the Buzz, the Fuze, Wherestheone, Freebird, Oddity and many more who were involved in Mike’s musical life.

Tickets at €20 can be purchased on the Town Hall Theatre website www.tht.ie , phone 091-569777 or through the Facebook page A Tribute to Mike.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.