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The Harbour Bar Presents HARBOUR ROOTS FESTIVAL 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 August 2017

Harbour Roots Festival is setting up shop in Bray towards the end of this month. Here’s your chance to see some of Ireland’s finest original acts work their musical magic. Running across 5 days & nights, celebrate some of the finest Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and Country music acts in the country with a couple of very special guests from further afield.

Check out the lineup and see you there!

Wednesday, 23rd August

The opening night of the festival is certainly kicking off in explosive fashion as we welcome iconic frontman DICK VALENTINE to the Harbour Bar stage. Better known as the lead singer of the hit making machine Electric Six. We all remember the dance-floor hit ‘Danger! High Voltage’. Come and witness the intimate Dick Valentine solo acoustic experience! It’s a low pressure, good time affair as the Electric Six frontman strips down all your favorite songs from the Electric Six catalogue, plays original solo material and swims in a sea of requested good-time covers. Get ready to DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!  ‘Danger! High Voltage’

Bluesman MICK HESLIN is a contradiction in terms. For a musician in his 20’s, he plays the blues with the heart and soul of a man far beyond his years. Mick has been impressing audiences around with shows around Ireland since he was 16 years old. Mick has opened for such artists as Arlo Guthrie, N.C Lawlor and has played numerous festivals throughout the country.

EOIN GLACKIN is known for his passionate storytelling and roots-rock style, but his live shows also show another side to his songwriting,  featuring upbeat, pop-infused songs, at times more influenced by Prince and Beck than Kris Kristofferson. Check out Eoin’s track Rain Finally Came

Thursday, 24th August

CORNER BOY blend together traditional Irish instruments and folk progressions with contemporary musical themes, lending to a distinctly energetic sound juxtaposed with a haunting narrative. Wexford based Corner Boy have toured North America, Europe and the Middle East, have played for President Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin, Croke Park Stadium and music festivals including; Sea Sessions, Indiependence, Vantastival, Knockanstockan & Electric Picnic along with widespread radio play & TV appearances. Check out their TV appearance on Miriam O’Callaghan’s show http://cornerboy.org/watch/

First time to play in Ireland, all the way from the Missouri, we’re thrilled to have KENNY FOSTER join the bill on Thursday 24th. Earlier this year Rolling Stone named Foster as one of the ‘10 New Country Artists You Need To Know’ – His wide range of influences including James Taylor, Garth Brooks, Counting Crows all played their part in creating Kenny’s authentic, soulful, rootsy sound. Have a listen to his soaring anthem ‘Stand’ taken from his latest full-length album Deep Cuts.

Friday, 25th August

Kick off the weekend with a bang as THE HOT SPROCKETS take to the stage Friday 25th. Expect straight up Rock ‘n’ Roll with a pinch of psychedelic flavour for good measure. Recently announced, the band will be playing this year’s Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic but make sure to catch them here first at Harbour Roots! Have a peek at their alien inspired video for their latest single ‘Right Spots’

Get your fix of Irish country blues on Friday 25th with the Irish five piece RYE RIVER BAND, as they blend their mix of Americana and Roots with original material. They bring an eclectic mix of Americana using piano, banjo, harmonica, accordion, acoustic/electric guitars, vocals and a driving rhythm section.

Saturday, 26th August

A firm favourite and a friend of the Harbour Bar we welcome GAVIN GLASS BAND on Saturday 26th. Singer-songwriter and producer extraordinaire, Glass is one of Ireland’s most talented and hardworking musicians. Now on his fourth solo album Sunday Songs, he has also produced and played on numerous albums for the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Mundy, Cathy Davey and Declan O’Rourke, amongst many more.

We have a Grammy Award winner in the house on Saturday 26th August, folk musician PETE CUMMINS winner of Best Contemporary Folk Album for his collaboration on the album Other Voices, Other Rooms, this promises to be a rare treat.

The DUBLIN BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE are no stranger to live shows, having played most of the Irish bluegrass festivals, along with some UK and French festivals, plus plenty of our own homegrown festivals like Knockanstockan, Vantastival, Life Festival and others. These multi talented instrumentalists have played everything from weddings to festival BBQ’s, to pubs and everything else in between!

THE WHOLE HOG BAND plays covers of Bluegrass, Country, and Americana with an Irish flavour. They play a broad and eclectic mix of covers from artists like Johnny Cash, The Eagles, Neil Young and put their own stamp contemporary covers from acts like Mumford & Sons to Old Crow Medicine Show.

Sunday, 27th August

Hailing from Scotland and newbies to The Harbour Bar it’s THE NICKAJACK MEN. The five-piece pitch their style somewhere between alternative-country and indie rock. With heavy influences from bands such as Wilco, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams. They’ve been awarded Best Newcomer, 2016 Best Alternative/Indie Act and Best Song at the Alternative Music in Falkirk Awards. Their EP ‘Wasting’ is out now and here’s a taster with the lead track ‘Running’

Making waves on the Irish music scene is the super talented folk singer DAVID KEENAN. Words and melody took hold of David at a very early age. Exposed to the writings of Behan, Yeats, and Wilde with the soundtrack of Dylan, Buckley and The Dubliners illuminating his formative years. Having played alongside the likes of Mick Flannery, Hothouse Flowers, Damien Dempsey and Glen Hansard, David is fast becoming one of Ireland’s most talked about young artists. Directed by the talented Myles O’Reilly, this is David’s latest release ‘Cobwebs’

Next, it’s time for some Boogie Woogie with GAVIN POVEY – This awesome band play genuine New Orleans Style Piano Rhythm & Blues, Boogie Woogie, Rock ‘n’ Roll, R&B, Country, Jazz, Soul Swing & Stride. So there you have it, folks, get marking your calendars and come join us Brayside for this year’s HARBOUR ROOTS FESTIVAL!

Full lineup & Timetable for Harbour Roots:

Wed 23rd:

10.15-11.30pm Dick Valentine (Electric 6) solo Alternative, Acoustic Rock

9.15-10pm Mick Heslin Blues, Folk, Country

8.40-9.05pm Eoin Glackin Roots Rock

Thurs 24th:

10-11.30pm Corner Boy Folk Rock

9-9.45pm Kenny Foster Country

Fri 25th:

11.10pm-12.30am The Hot Sprockets Country Dirt

9.15-10.45pm Rye River Band Americana Folk & Blues

Sat 26th:

11pm-12.30am Gavin Glass Band Americana, Rock

9-10.30pm Pete Cummins Country, Folk

7-8.30pm Dublin Bluegrass Collective Bluegrass

5-6.30pm The Whole Hog Band Country, Bluegrass, Folk

Sun 27th:

9.30-11pm The Nickajack Men Alternative Country Rock’n’Roll

8-9pm David Keenan Folk, Singer Songwriter

6-7.30pm Gavin Povey Boogie Woogie, Country

All our events are FREE! Unless noted!

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