Thousands expected for the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend

MUSIC fans in their thousands are expected at the Shannonside Winter Music Weekend, organised by the Sixmilebridge Folk Club in Clare It’s happening between Thursday January 18 and Monday January 22 in the villages of Bunratty and Sixmilebridge.
The annual Winter Music Festival, now in its 19th year, is a folk festival, a bluegrass hoedown, a blues jam, traditional fleadh, a céilidh and a swing session. Expect a touch of sea shanties and the classical, followed by a pinch of storytelling and a smidgen of poetry for good measure! as the organisers explain.
The pubs of both villages will host lively traditional Irish, bluegrass and swing sessions and gigs all weekend, while concerts in Bunratty Castle Hotel, Durty Nelly’s new venue and the Mill Bar in Sixmilebridge will play host to sublime performances from musicians at the top of their game.
From the master musicianship of Frankie Gavin to the bluegrass/country of Greg Blake (USA) to the feisty cajun of Sarah Savoy from Louisiana, there are sounds, sights and fun for every music and session loving fan over the weekend.
Saturday at the Folk Park in Bunratty alone will host over 20 gigs across five locations. With 80 events, all but a few of them free, at 18 locations and over 100 musicians playing multiple musical genres, take it for granted there will be more than enough craic and quality to blow away the winter blues. Limerick Post takes a look at the highlights; some of these acts will play multiple shows over the weekend. www.wmw.ie/Gigguide for up to the minute info.

Greg Blake Band
GREG Blake appeared at this festival with The Jeff Scroggins & Colorado Band previously and audiences still remember his powerful singing and guitar playing.
Greg is back with a band of the most highly regarded bluegrass musicians in America today. John Reischman: mandolin /vocals – a Grammy Award winner. Mark Schatz: bass – a two time International Bluegrass Music Association bass player of the year. and Sally Van Meter: dobro – also a Grammy winner.

Billow Wood
(formerly Flat Out)
THIS folk/ pop group from Mayo formed in 2013 almost accidentally when the four jetted to Austria to perform together for the first time. With great musicianship and stylish folk covers of pop and rock hits, they have made a name for themselves on the folk and festival circuits.

The Metis Ireland Festival Concert
THIS concert features Frankie Gavin, Noel Hill, Brian McGrath. The combination of these master musicians is sure to be a highlight. Frankie Gavin’s reputation as a fiddle player is unequalled. He co-founded De Danann, one of the greatest Irish bands of its era, and has played with some of the greatest living musicians worldwide. From West Clare, Noel Hill has been a reference point for Irish traditional concertina players for many years.
Brian McGrath started playing piano, accordion, banjo and mandolin age five and has played on over 120 albums to date.

Maple Tree Circus (Switzerland)
THESE four boys have been playing on the streets and stages of Switzerland for over six years and create a playfulness that entices every audience to dance and sing along. From dreamy ballads to rock’n’roll, Maple Tree Circus bring their thrilling sound on their numerous instruments. A great evening of high jinks guaranteed.

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Skazz Jazz Band
THIS five-piece started out as a swing and jazz outfit and converted in early 2007 to pure ska vibes. In keeping with their jazz roots, Skazz have chosen the original Jamaican scene Ska of the 1960s and featured regularly in the Summer festival circuit throughout 2017.

Sarah Savoy & Billow Wood (France)
From, Louisiana, via Paris, Sarah Savoy and her band bring a feisty blend of cajun, country and rockabilly back to Clare. A big hit in 2012, the in-between songs banter and tall tales are worth the admission on their own – and then the group really start to hit their stride.

The 19th Shannonside Winter Music Festival happens in Sixmilebridge and Bunratty over the days of January 18 to 22. Ticket Information

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