Each year the ‘small but massive’ festival open a submissions period to give all acts an opportunity to put themselves forward for consideration as a panel listen to every one ahead of choosing the festival line-up.

Following the incredibly large amount of submissions received in 2011, a majority of which were via post, the festival team have decided to go down the green route this year and accept all submissions electronically.

WHAT TO DO:

To submit for Glasgowbury 2012, all you have to do is email submissions@glasgowbury.com with a link to your website, social networking site, third party site with a link to your music etc – wherever your music and a bit of information about you/your act is included.

Please also use ‘Glasgowbury 2012′ as the email subject.

Feel free to include some up to date information, some nice words or horse tips in your email too.

The panel will listen to all submissions over the coming weeks and months before the submissions period officially closes at the end of January.

See www.glasgowbury.com for more information.

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Enjoy!

Sean Cassady and Rigadoo

2U

The Rovers

Screaming Orphans

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When I got to the festival on Saturday I had a chance to look around the Culture Hall (I don’t think much culture rubbed off though). There was an area set up for speakers, tables with local authors, a booth dedicated to genealogy, several historical exhibits, a dart throwing area but I found myself drawn to the Irish Wolfhounds. It was fun to watch small children have to look up at the dogs but none seemed at all afraid of them. They were true gentle giants. Everyone was still bustling around when the music began on this stage. First up was the Dundalk Avenue Quartet. This was their first appearance at this festival. They are a barbershop quartet and they sang a lot of great old songs like McNamara’s Band and My Wild Irish Rose. They also told a lot of great stories. I’m always impressed by people who can sing without any musical accompaniment at all. They put on a great show plus they have a lot less equipment to have to haul around. Talented AND smart

Next up on that stage were the Philly based band, Bogside Rogues. I have been a fan of theirs for a long time – ever since I stumbled across them on MySpace (Remember MySpace?). I was really looking forward to seeing their show. It just as good as I hoped it would be. They even included Never Mind The Strangers, a Saw Doctors tune. Several of the bands did do tunes by the Saw Doctors. The Bogside Rogues are Bob Finegan, Fran O’Connor, Bobby Hurst & Tim Murphy. Put this band on your must see list. I will have reviews of their cds up soon.

There was so much going on you couldn’t really catch it all (not and stay hydrated and maybe even eat) I did miss a lot of the acts. There were pipers and dancers performing both days. I tried to catch as many of the musical acts as I could but I did miss a few of them, sad to say. The next band I saw were the Spalpeens. (The band name means rascal from the Irish word – spailpín seasonal laborer, rascal) This band played at the original Maryland Irish Festival, though I suspect not all of the members that played this one.

The next band I saw was Baltimore’s own NUA. They claim to be the worst marketed band in Baltimore but I heard of them long ago on MySpace and have been a fan for a good while now. The band was founded by Tommy McCann from Belfast NI and Jim McDermott from Southern New Jersey. Their show is lively and fun with lots a high energy music and some great stories from Tommy. You will want to catch this band live ASAP.

Crossing Celtic was up next. They are also a great band. Click on their name to go to their website and see some better pictures. I think my camera had had a bit too much Guinness by this time so I didn’t get a really good picture of the band. The band members are George Rogers, Jeff Wise, Aaron Fowler, Brian Wise and Tommy Adams. They take traditional Irish songs add a pinch of Blue Grass and throw in generous helpings of rock to create their own unique sound.

One of the highlights of the festival for me was seeing Screaming Orphans. I have been a huge fan for a long time. The band consists of four sisters, Marie Thérèse, Gráinne, Angela and Joan Diver from Donegal. They come from a musical family and began singing with their mother Kathleen Fitzgerald. Their show is high energy with lots of audience interaction. This is another must see band. I definitely want to see them again.

My ride arrived by this time and we caught part of the Rovers show but hadn’t gotten there soon enough so we at the back of the very large crowd watching the show. We had thoroughly enjoyed them from up close the night before so we were happy to give that night’s audience the chance to do the same. We wandered around some more and checked out all the vendors as we headed for the door. It was a long day but I had enjoyed every minute of it. All the acts I saw were top notch and I am sure the same can be said for the ones I didn’t see. This is a great festival and I highly recommend it. Next year it will be held November 9-11 and you really want to be there. Everyone was having the time of their lives. People were singing along with the bands, dancing, wearing funny hats, drinking Guinness and other libations, eating fantastic food, shopping at the vendors’ booths. There were tons of t shirts, hats, sweaters, kilts and other goodies on sale. You could check out genealogy info, hear interesting speakers, sign up for chances to win free trips to Ireland or get info to help you plan your own trip, furnish your man cave, decorate your bar, even buy a hat with a bottle opener built in – how’s that for a technological advance that makes sense? I can’t think of one single thing this festival was lacking. Mark your calendars for next year and plan to attend!

It’s always good to bring cash to a festival as musicians and food vendors may not have a card swipe machine. If you wanted to get a cd but didn’t have the cash on you here are some cds from the artists of the Maryland Irish Fest. Click on the band name in the post to go to the band’s website. Many artists sell their cds and other merchandise on their websites.

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Right after the opening ceremonies O’Malley’s March took to the stage at the festival for the first time in 6 years. The show was lively and included a lot of my favorites, especially those from their album Wait For Me, which I love. At one point the lead singer mentioned that it was thirsty work and several of the beer vendors came running to his rescue with pints. (It’s good to be Governor ) He was even offered one by a member of the audience but, of course, had to have one of the band members act as official taster. It was a fantastic opening act for the festival and I have to say right here and now that Maryland has the coolest governor of all the 50 states, hands down.

O’Malleys March features singer/songwriter/governor Martin O’Malley, talented fiddler Jim Eagan (I was seating in front of the very enthusiastic Jim Eagan fan club), Jared Denhard, Ralph Reinoldi, Pete Miller, and a special appearance by Billy McComiskey. I was really looking forward to seeing O’Malley’s March. This band was my gateway to Celtic Rock, which is an addiction I never intend to give up. It was very special for me to see them perform live. I can’t thank the Maryland Irish Fest enough for making this possible. For obvious reasons, O’Malley’s March does not perform live too often these days.

I was very happy to meet Mary & Rodney Yeaple of the Penn-Mar Irish Festival at the festival and Mary introduced me to Kyf Brewer of Barleyjuice, another of my favorite bands. The festival took place in two large buildings that were connected by an area that had huge bouncy rides set up for the kids. The first building had many cultural exhibits, several authors and community groups as well vendors and even some greyhounds and several Irish Wolfhounds. The Irish Wolfhounds, if you have never seen one, are huge ponysized dogs. Evidently there were no wolves around because they all appeared gentle and docile. Wonderful dogs. There was also a stage in this building and between this one and the two in the entertainment hall the music was pretty much nonstop all weekend.

Friday night I spent most of my time in the Entertainment building. It’s purely a co-incidence that that was where the Guinness was, honest. There were even more vendors in this building as well as many civic organizations selling food which was all wonderful. This was real food not just typical festival fare. The Guinness glazed wings were to die for and my daughter recommended the Corned Beef Sandwiches and the Champ. There was so much going on there wasn’t a lot of downtime. When I did find myself with nothing to do I debated about trying out some of those bouncy things which the kids were enjoying or having another Guinness. As a precaution against the dangers of dehydration I seemed to always choose the beer. You can’t be too careful when it comes to your health and I’m told Guinness is good for you. After O’Malley’s March, on the stage at the other end of the huge room, Finbar Furey performed. The man is a master pure and simple. Appearing with him were Brian Gaffney and Brendan’s Voyage.

The closing act for Friday night was The Rovers. This band had a lot of fans in the audience and after I saw them preform I was a die hard fan myself. They do a high energy show that had the whole place on their feet and jumping. The Rovers are Ray Murphy, Jenn Garmen, Eddie McGowan, Jim Martin, and drummer Garet Howard. During their show they called Martin O’Mally,  Kyf Brewer and Randy Wothke of the Rogues up out of the audience for the most fantastic jam session I’ve even seen. The Rovers will also be appearing at the Penn-Mar Irish Fesitival June 16, 2012.

Jamming with The Rovers ~ Martin O”Malley on bodhran (he also plays a mean cowbell) and Randy Wothke of the Rogues

Kyf Brewer of Barleyjuice jamming with the Rovers

It was an amazing evening and that was only Friday night. I will post more about Saturday in the next post. I was only able to attend for Friday night and Saturday but if I make it back next year I will go for all three days. Next year’s festival will be Nov 9-11, 2012. Mark your calendars now!

It’s always important to purchase cds and other merchandise at festivals. Often the musicians are donating their time so the merchandise sales help defray their costs, to say nothing of the fact that you have a great souvenir of the festival you can enjoy anytime . If you can’t wait till the next festival check out your favorite bands at cdbaby. Here are some links to cds by some of these great artists.

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Maryland Irish Festival November 11-13 Maryland State Fairgrounds (Cow palace) 2200 York Rd Timonium MD. Entertainment includes O’Malley’s March, Screaming Orphans, Finbar Furey, Crossing Celtic, Nua, Rovers, Bogside Rogues, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, The Spalpeens, 2U, Brendan Pelan, Belfast Connection, Irish Blessing and more For more info, including directions and ticket purchase, check out their website http://www.irishfestival.com

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Kansas City Irish Fest Sept 2-4 At The Crown Cener Kansas City Musical Guests include The Elders, Gaelic Storm, Scythian, McPeak, The Prodigals, Goitse, The Killdares, The Mickey Finns, Tullamore and many more. Check their website for more details – http://www.kcirishfest.com/

Syracuse Irish Festival Sept 9 & 10 Clinton Square Syracuse NY Musical guests include Emish, The Elders, Rathkeltair, The Causeway Giants, Searson, The Flyin’ Column, Goitse, The Glengarry Bhoys Check their website for more details http://www.syracuseirishfestival.com

Pittsburgh Irish Fest Sept 9-11 RIVERPLEX Pittsburgh PA Musical Guests include – Searson, Screaming Orphans, Gaelic Storm, Goitse, Makem and Spain Brothers, Carbon Leaf and many more. Check their website for full schedule http://www.pghirishfest.org/

Louisville Irish Fest Sept 10-11 on the campus of Bellarmine University in Louisville Musical Guests include Finn’s Fury, Keltricity, Liam’s Fancy, Chattering Magpies, Robert Tincher and more. Check their website for more info http://www.louisvilleirishfest.com/

Irish Festival At The Jersey Shore Sept 17 on the beach next to Sea Girt National Guard Armory Guests include Mc Lean Avenue Band, The Birmingham Six, Round The House Band, Amadaun, The Bogside Rogues, Derek Warfield & the Young Wolf Tones For more details check their website http://www.njshoreirishfestival.com/

Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival Sept 16 & 17 BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. Musical guests include Emish, Shileigh Law, Celtic Cross, Carbon Leaf, Screaming Orphans, The Fenians, Glengarry Bhoys and Black 47, Hair of the Dog, Leahy, Enter the Haggis, Girsa and many more. Check the website for full line up http://irish2000fest.com/

Indy Irish Fest Sept 16-18 Downtown Indianapolis, IN Musical Guests include The Elders , The Prodigals, The Kells, Indianapolis Ceili Band, McPeake, Ennis Clare and many more. Check the website for more info http://www.indyirishfest.com

Michigan Irish Music Festival Sept 16-18 Downtown Muskegon, MI Musical guests include Slide IE, Scythian, Beoga, Goitse, Old Blind Dogs, Makem & Spain Brothers, Seamus Kennedy, Kennedy’s Kitchen and MORE! Check the website for details http://www.michiganirish.org

Great Irish Fair of New York Sept 16-18 MCU Park 1904 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, New York Musical Guests include Jameson’s Revenge, Andy Cooney, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, Celtic Cross, Emigrant Eyes, The Moonshiners, John Rafferty, Cousins Moran and more check the website for more info http://www.gifnyc.com

CELTIC CLASSIC HIGHLAND GAMES AND FESTIVAL September 23-25 Bethlehem, PA Musical guests include Blackwater, Burning Bridget Cleary, Emish, Girsa, The Glengarry Bhoys, The Jameson Sisters, David Kincaid, McPeake, The Makem & Spain Brothers, Seamus Kennedy, Screaming Orphans, Solas, John Whelan and more. Check their website for details http://www.celticfest.org/

Irish Fest at Kalamzoo Sept 24-25 Arcadia Creek Festival Place Kalamzoo MI Musical guests include The Waxies, Belfast Gin, Gasta, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Embarr, An Dro, Harvest Home, The Kreellers and more. Check the website for details – http://www.kalamazooirish.org/fest.php

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The Larkin & Moran Brothers were in top form last Friday night for their appearance at the inaugural Will County Celtic Fest at Bicentennial Park in Joliet.

Good music and great craic being the order of the evening, The Larkin & Moran Brothers delivered on both. The entire evenings entertainment presented to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience; the setting, a cool clear summer evening.  More than two hours and over thirty songs, originals and covers plus three encores without a break, they rocked! Only Mike Larkins funny stories provided the few needed minutes to catch their breath. 

Singing cuts from their new album Eistigi, including the Dan Larkin, Jr. original, Drake Street Rainbow sung by Dan, Sr., traditional tunes and a couple Saw Doctors hits; The N17 and The Red and Green of Mayo moved the show along quickly. And, the more relaxed the show became, the more the audience was involved in the banter. Pure entertainment! 

Larkin & Moran perform all around the Chicago area and always provide an incredible fun evenings entertainment. They are without a doubt, Chicago style Celt Rock at its absolute best! If you’re looking for a great night of Celt Rock in the Chicago area, get to one of their shows. Good times. 

The Larkin & Moran Brothers new cd, Eistigi, is available to purchase at: http://www.rampantlion.com/ . Or, better yet, get to one of their performances and pick one up. Win, win…

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Dublin Irish Festival Aug 5-7 Dublin OH Musical guests include Gaelic Storm, Moya Brennan, Dervis, Teada, Scythian, the Young Dubliners, The Elders, The Tossers, Tartan Terrors, Barleyjuice, Different Drums of Ireland, Liz Carroll and many more. Check their website for more details http://www.dublinirishfestival.org/

TOLEDO HIBERNIAN IRISH FESTIVAL Aug 12 & 13 DOWNTOWN TOLEDO -HURON STREET TOLEDO OH Entertainers include Brigid’s Cross, Extra Stout, Roger Drawdy & The Firestarters, The Bloody Tinth For more info please check out their website. http://www.tolaoh.com/ToledoHibernianIrishFestival.htm

Irish Fest – La Crosse Aug 12-14 Southside Fest Grounds, LaCrosse, WI Entertainers include Patrick Bell, The Elders, Enter the Haggis, The Fuchsia Band, Girsa, The High Kings, Seamus Kennedy, Scythian and more. Check their website for more details. http://www.irishfestlax.org/

Irish Fair of Minnesota Aug 12-14 Harriet Island in St. Paul, MN Free Entertainers include The High Kings, Altan, Katie McMahon, Seanchai and the Unity Squad and the Tossers. For more info please check out their website http://www.irishfair.com/

IRISH FEST 2011 AUGUST 18-21 Milwaukee, WI Entertainers include 3 Pints Gone, Altan, Baal Tinne, Blackthorn, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones
Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, Different Drums of Ireland, The Elders, Four Courts, Gaelic Storm, The High Kings, Kathleen Fitzgerald and The Screaming Orphans, Moya Brennan, Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Rising Gael, Sandcarvers, Screaming Orphans, Scythian, Seamus Kennedy, Skerryvore, Whiskey of the Damned and way too many others to mention. Go to their website for a full listing. This is a huge festival. Don’t miss it! http://www.irishfest.com/

4th Annual Rocky Mountain Irish Festival Aug 25-28 Latimer Ranch Fort Collins, CO Musical guests include THE HIGH KINGS, The Young Dubliners, The Tossers, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, SEARSON. THE PRODIGALS, THE INDULGERS, ROGER DRAWDY & THE FIRESTARTERS, SLIGO RAGS and many more. Check their website for complete lineuphttp://fortcollinsirishfestival.com/jom/

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Cashier No 9 Headliners, This band just released a new album called To The Death Of Fun They need to add some more songs to their reverb page (hint hint)

I did find them at Soundcloud.

Latest tracks by Cashier No.9

The 1930s Another great group – we’d love to see more songs on their widget too.

Intermission

Latest tracks by intermissionmusic

Paul Shevlin

Latest tracks by Paul Shevlin

Sweet Jane

A Plastic Rose

SEVEN SUMMITS

Elspeth

John D’Arcy

The Dead Presidents

The Plea

Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas

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With Eagles Rock ready to be shook to its very foundations this weekend, headliners Cashier No 9 are primed and ready to roll and have described the honour they felt at being chosen to bring this year’s event to a close.

To The Death Of Fun, their absolutely cracking debut album, has seen the light of day to widespread acclaim and they cap the summer off in style by taking headlining duties atop the Small But Massive Main Stage at Glasgowbury 2011.

“We’re busy rehearsing this week,” said drummer Phil Duffy.

“Normally we’re used to playing 30 minute sets so we’re getting prepared for an hour long slot, we’re having to dust off a few of the old ones.

“They’ll all be getting a run out including When Jackie Shone and 42 West Avenue, it’s going to be an hour full of hits.”

While the debut steered away from the inclusion of the two above mentioned stand outs, it managed to create a legend all of its own from start to finish, much like Cashier No 9 have been doing over the years.

“Myself and Danny (Todd) first played the festival back in 2002 so we’ve been around for a large part of it and slowly but surely we’ve been climbing up the bill over the years.

“But it’s an absolute honour among all of us to be considered as headliners of Glasgowbury this year, we can’t wait, it’s going to be something special.”

So while the immediate future sees the band play their biggest headline show to date, the best is still yet to come if the now 6 piece have anything to say about it.

After a summer full of debauchery sees them tour the length and breadth of Ireland and the UK, they’ll look as far away as Australia for their next stab at domination; a country where Goldstar is already play-listed on major radio.

And then of course there’s the follow-up opus to be considered.

“Danny’s already started work on the next one but we’re really concentrating on working this one and giving it time to breathe first.”

No doubt they’ll find plenty of room for it on the side of Eagles Rock this Saturday night.

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