Wexford Grooves Weekend

June 14 – 17, 2007

 

 

Bands on the Grooves Trail

The weekend kicks off Thursday night (June 14) at the Talbot Hotel with the hard working and very popular rock act Menace.  If you are too lazy to walk to the south end J90 are in action at the Centenary Stores.

 

Wexford Arts Centre is getting into the grooves with a few top notch gigs and a late night festival “Chill” club. Sounds like the place to down a cold Carlsberg in the wee hours!

 

The Talbot Hotel hosts the Festival Record/CD Saturday and Sunday (10am-6pm).

 

For details of the Opera Festival’s final weekend of operas, concerts, recitals, etc head to www.wexfordopera.com.

 

 

And here they are  … bands on the Carlsberg Grooves Trail

 

Print off a programme: http://www.wexlive.com/grooves/images/bandtable.pdf

 

Starting Thursday …

 

Menace

Coming from the same neck of the woods as Big Generator and Blue Moose is this fantastic new rock band. They have the honour of kicking off the weekend at the Talbot Hotel on Thursday, June 14.

www.menace.tv

Thurs, June 14, Talbot Hotel (bar)

 

J90

Long standing crowd pleasers not just in Wexford but all over the country. Prepare to be rocked!

Thurs, June 14, Centenary Stores

 

 

And one legend that you simply cannot miss …

 

Paul Brady

Paul Brady, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, is one of Ireland’s most enduringly popular artists. He has forged a reputation as a passionate and exciting performer and attracts a dedicated following worldwide. Paul Brady continues to push out the boundaries of Irish contemporary music.

www.paulbrady.com

Sat, June 16 (9pm), White’s Hotel

Tickets 30 Euro from Wexford Arts Centre. Tel 053 9123764.

 

 

Finally onto the meat and potatoes of the Grooves Trail …

 

Agustin Maruri (flamenco/classical guitarist)

Award winning acclaimed master of the acoustic guitar Agustin Maruri will be enchanting his audience with the unmistakable sound of the Classical Guitar. he will be performing a variety of works with music from Celtic Ireland as well as the eclectic sounds of France, Brazil and Spain mixing classical, tradition, Tango and Flamenco.

www.agustinmaruri.com

Sat, June 16 (1pm), Wexford Arts Centre.

Tickets 10 Euro

 

Zrazy plus special guest Carolina Herrera (Colombia)

"Zrazy’s delicate sultriness may now be the blossom of cool jazz in the 1950s Loose and limber, sensual, from the breathy opening of Angel Walking to the Waitsian Deitrich chilled improvisations of Bossa Nova." 

"Instinct tells me that Zrazy would be better ensconsed in Manhattan than in Dublin … could alter forever the notion of  mood music." (Irish Times)

www.zrazy.com

Colombian doctor Carolina Herrera makes a welcome return visit to Wexford to seduce us with her warm sultry vocals. Her concerts are nothing short of a whistle-stop tour across South America. The journey is breath-taking!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/womad2004/carolina_herrera.shtml

Sat, June 16 (7pm), Wexford Arts Centre

Tickets 15/13 Euro

 

Big Generator

One of the top touring rock bands in the country.

http://www.thebiggenerator.com

Fri, June 15 (9.30pm), Riverbank House Hotel.

Adm 8 Euro.

 

Niall Toner Band

Niall Toner did time with various string bands and country-rock bands including Hank Halfhead & The Rambling Turkeys before setting up the NTB. With Niall himself on mandolin and vocals, backed by double bassist Dick Gladney and acoustic guitarist/vocalist Clem O'Brien, the band delivers a healthy mix of traditional bluegrass sound, country and blues.

www.nialltonerband.ie

Listen Live to Niall every Tuesday night at 9pm on RTE Radio 1

Sat, June 16, Woodenworks Bar (formerly Chaz Bar)

Sun, June 17 (8pm), Maggie May’s

 

Los Langeros

Cork-based cow-punk band Los Langeros deliver a punkabilly ska-tinged medley of scream-along choruses and distorted 12-string melodies guaranteed to work any crowd into a screaming slobbering mess. Their line-up represents their musical diversity with a pan-European fusion of Irish, Scottish, Italian and English musicians. A screeching electric mandolin flanked by two guitar-wielding madmen with jews-harp, harmonica, tambourine and outrageous catchy vocals all backed up by a ferocious pounding rhythm section lashing out some of the most intense country music ever. They are currently promoting their new 'Killing Frogs Ep'.

http://www.myspace.com/loslangeros

 Fri, June 15,  Wren’s Nest

Sat, June 16 (5pm) South51

Sat, June 16 (10pm) Thomas Moore

 

Moonshine

Old-timey dance music from the southern Appalachian region of America ranging in style from sensitive waltzes to nervy breakdowns. Wild and edgy, backbeat and funky, bluesy and ballady. It's roots music, the spud and the bog carrot, butter fried and salted. Behind it all are Irish and Scots ballads that travelled the high seas, pushed inland from the American coast past the Appalachians and were preserved until recent years in the backwoods hollows and hills of the American South.

The personnel

The group is led by Johnny Moynihan, singer, songster, instrumental innovator and itinerant minstrel. He has been part of Sweeney's Men, Planxty, DeDanann, the Fleadh Cowboys.

Instruments: accordion, mandola, mandolin, fiddle and more.

Lena Ullman of the Higglers Jug Band shares vocals and plays five-string banjo

Frank Hall of the Monks, Easy Street Stringband, Rhythm In Shoes also shares vocals and plays fiddle and guitar.

www.myspace.com/kinvaramoonshine

Fri, June 15, Bugler Doyle’s

Sat, June 16 (3pm) Wren’s Nest

 

Johnny Fean (Horslips), Steve Travers (Miami Showband) with guest Blendi Krasniqi on drums and percussion

Johnny was guitarist/vocalist with the legendary  Horslips, while bass guitarist Steve is best known for his time with The Miami Showband. Together they deliver a Celtic Rock and Blues experience which includes some classic material from their earlier careers.

http://www.feanandtravers.com

Fri, June 15, La Speranza

 

The Roaring Forties

The huge sound of The Roaring 40s is reawakening the music of swing and jive and giving it a modern twist. They are consistently one of the most popular bands at Cork Jazz Festival. One minute you are listening to Nat King Cole, the next to classic Rolling Stones.  This one really is going to get the weekend off to a flying start.

Fri, June 15, South 51 Bar

 

Noel Shine and Mary Greene

The Grooves weekend would not be the same without them! Virtuosity, harmony, originality and a genuine love of what they do. Mary is one of the top female vocalists on the country's folk scene. Noel's guitar playing is peerless.

Sat, June 16, Bugler Doyle's

Sun, June 17 (12.30pm), End of Weekend “Grooves” Jam, White’s Hotel (with Carolina Herrera)

 

The Mongrels

One of The Crown’s most popular acts make a welcome return.

Fri, June 15, The Crown Bar

 

Jezzebelle   

Jezzebelle is the result of amalgamating a Rock n' Roll Quintessence, Boot Wearing Country Sass, Seductive Melody and the Telling Tales and True Stories of growing up in the Wind and Rain of Dublin, Ireland.

Web: www.jezzebellemusic.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/jezzebellemusic 

Fri, June 15, Maggie May’s

 

Swingin' Blue Cats  

Get ready for some strong rhythm & blues, swing and rock ‘n’ roll delivered by this fun-lovin’ quintet.  They play the music of Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Brian Setzer. www.swinginbluecats.com

Fri, June 15, Thomas Moore Tavern

 

Hollywood Slim and The Fat Cats

Fronting this band is the enigmatic Hollywood Slim whose distinctive soul drenched vocals and razor sharp harmonica playing are awesomely complimented by the dynamic multi-layered performances of guitar maestro Junior Hynes. Drawing mainly from west coast blues in the style of Hollywood Fats, James Harmon and a flavour of Chicago thrown in for good measure, the band is spectacularly augmented by the always swinging Papa Hynes on drums and the mercurial Reverend Priestley on dog-house bass.

www.hollywoodslimandthefatcats.com

Fri, June 15 Sinatra’s

 

Tandy

Good-time funk ‘n’ reggae band.

Fri, June 15, The Sky & The Ground Pub

 

Seven Blind Mice

Dynamic young 7-piece Wexford band playing the music of Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Canned Heat, Rolling Stones, Blues Brothers and on. Get ready to get down!

Fri, June 15 (10.30pm), Chocolate Bar

Sat, June 16 (7pm), South51 Bar

 

Two Time Polka

Red-hot and steamin’, straight from the Louisiana swaps (via Cork delta) come Two Time Polka. “Irish cajun bluegrass rockabilly neo-folk” said No Depression magazine. It shouldn’t work but it does. No one comes close for sheer entertainment. Always a huge favourite in Wexford.

www.twotimepolka.com

Sat, June 16, La Speranza

Sun June 17 (5pm), Centenary Stores (outside)

 

Messiah J & The Expert

Messiah J & The Expert are an mc/producer tag team from Ireland. Influenced by the early nineties golden era of Hip Hop, they saw in each other a similar understanding and ethic and went about writing songs. They release their new album 'Now This I Have To Hear' in the UK in June 2007 on Inaudible Records!!
"An album loaded with smart tunes, killer lines and lots of justifiable bravado"
The Irish Times

http://www.myspace.com/messiahjandtheexpert

Sat, June 16, Shooter’s Bar (with TASC)

 

TASC

Also on the bill with Messiah J are TASC or to give them their full name Tortured Artists Social club.  Dirty, predatory rock may be your first impression of TASC, but if you dig a little deeper the boys of TASC are every girls dream - bad boys with a soul. The band is Ryan Margolin (Guitar/vocals), Johnny O’Brien (vocals/bass) and Stephen Whelan on drums.

http://www.tascband.com/

Sat, June 16, Shooter’s Bar (with Messiah J)

 

Jamtarts

Very versatile and popular rock act covering everything from The Cure to The Cramps.

Sat, June 16, Chocolate Bar

 

Australian Nirvana

KURT COBAIN left us ten years ago but his legendary rock vibe still lives today through 'TEEN SPIRIT', Australia and the World's Number One Tribute to NIRVANA. “Every drum fill and bass line, every blast of feedback and every flick of Stuart's bleached hair, is faithful to the original, even better than the real thing!" says Kerrang of the band. This is probably the closest you will get to seeing Nirvana live!

Sat, June 16, Exile (White’s Hotel)

 

Some Like It Hot

Wexford’s very own big band are back with the music of Benny Goodman, The Dorseys, Glenn Miller and other much-loved big bands from the last century. Also songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and other great crooners of that era.

Sat, June 16 (9.30pm), Riverbank House Hotel. 5 Euro.

 

B & The Honeyboys

Blues, funk, R’n’B outfit fronted by the delectable Miss “B” and featuring the tasty guitar of Kieran McEvoy and the drumming of Shane Atlas.

Sat, June 16 (8pm), The Sky & The Ground Pub

Sun, June 17, La Speranza

 

Riff Raff

Energetic new blues rock four piece with a liking for the music of Rory Gallagher, Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Sat, June 16 (10pm), The Sky & The Ground Pub

 

Hipple Street

Four piece band writing and performing melodic tunes, featuring upfront grooves, infectious instrumental hooks with a strong emphasis on vocal harmony. They hit the 20s in the Irish charts with Inspector Rita.

Sun, June 17 (6.30pm), Dakota Bar

 

Dylan Bible Band

Popular return for the Waterford-based funk/jazz/blues merchants led by the charismatic Dylan Bible. His annual festival appearance at The Sky & The Ground always draws a big audience. Entertainment guaranteed!

Sun, June 17, The Sky & The Ground Pub

 

Butterfly Band

Very classy Waterford outfit who merge trad with ska, funk, rock and blues. Understated in their approach but always brilliant.

Sun, June 17, Crown Bar

 

Innuendo

Hot reggae/ska outfit who have been making waves in the past year.

Fri, June 15, The Sailing Cot

Sun, June 17 Shooter’s Bar

 

Brian Meakin Band

Brian Meakin is a phenomenal blues guitarist. Quiet and unassuming he may be, yet this guy is happiest at the raunchier end of the blues. Think Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rory Gallagher. His stunning guitar work is complimented by rock solid bass and drums. Jaw-droppingly good!

Sun, June 17 (7pm), Westgate Tavern

 

Festival “Chill” Club at Wexford Arts Centre

Late night live music, djs, cult movies. Full bar.

Sat, June 16 (11pm – late), Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket. 10 Euro / 5 Euro with opera ticket

 

Louise Morrissey Band

And for something completely different … round off the weekend with dancing to one of the Ireland’s most respected country divas.

Sun, June 17 (9.30pm), White’s Hotel. 15 Euro.

 

Kent Duchaine

If you want to stretch your weekend into Monday you really should head to Colfer’s, Carrig on Bannow to see this Gramy nominated and award winning delta blues guitarist.

Mon, June 18 (9pm), Colfer’s, Carrig on Bannow. 10 Euro.

 

Back to Wexford Grooves homepage.

 

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