Farriers @ BelNash

Holiday Inn, Belfast

Farriers at Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival

OK, 1pm on a Saturday afternoon may seem an unusual time to have a gig, but when it comes to Farriers any time is a good time.
This show which also featured Morgan McIntyre and Amanda Agnew was being recorded by Music Row Show for broadcast across the USA.
The stripped back to 3 piece band settle back in an aura of calmness and delivered a set of some of the most wonderful folk music I've heard which included a lot of new songs destined for the band next release.
These are songs that stir the imagination, these are thoughtful songs, at times it's almost like therapy as you lean back into the music and let it soothe...
As individuals Stephen and Rachel have great voices which song after song get wonderfully showcased, but there's a fragile beauty in what they offer as a unit.

Yea I'm a Farriers fan, and today was a good day!!

The Grass is Blue at this month AER Music Club

The Grass Is Blue at Aprils AER Music Club

It's been said 'the grass is always greener on the other side' well when it comes to local musical talent its green on this side and it is lush.
AER Music Club, a monthly music event held in Molly Browns in Newtownards, continues to bring some of the best local music to the Ards Peninsula.
This months club night continues on Thursday 24th April with some fine musicians, the night will be headlined by Wookalily is a female led Americana folk band with roots in bluegrass and country. They turf out timeless songs from the bogs of Northern Ireland to the bayous of Louisiana. Having been swamped in both musical traditions they've managed to create a transatlantic sound that is authentic yet quirky. Despite their reckless ways they've managed to create a unique and distinctive sound that's all heart. Their style, sometimes referred to among the lilys as chillbilly roots, has an old-timey feel with a young-timey appeal.
Also on the bill are Dundonald based husband and wife duo Chasing Perpetua, their superb harmonies, intelligent songwriting and soaring vocals demand to be listened to, you won't regret it!
Kicking of the night will be Cup O’Joe a family band made up of two brothers, Benjamin, Reuben and their sister 15 year old Tabitha, who play an energetic style of Bluegrass & Gypsy Jazz music.
AER Music Club was launched in January this year, the club is in memory of Amy Ellen Reid, who passed away from cancer in February 2013, the 20 year old daughter of founder Mark who said 'we are excited to again bring some of the best local artists to Newtownards, the lineup for April is a cracker, we got bluegrass, gypsy jazz, acoustic and country. I can't wait for this one'.
As well as promoting local music AER is raising money for two local cancer charities CLIC Sargent and 'Friends' of the Cancer Centre.

You can find more details here

Doors open at 8pm, admission is £5.

Chasing Perpetua

Wookalily

Cup O' Joe

The Dandy Horses EP. launch

Hat On The Sun EP launch...
To be honest, one of the perks of what I do for a hobby is that from time to time I get invited to nights like tonight, though I had planned to go before the invite..

Saffyre  support for the night

The recently expanded Dandy Horses, the multi instrumental Belfast based 5 piece decided that the best place to launch the release of their 2nd EP 'Hat On The Sun' was the Black Box in Belfast, now this is a big room, but those Dandy's just went and sold it out. Tonight turned out to be more than an EP launch, this was a party...
And what better way to kicked of a party than with family trio, Saffyre. These girls pop country tunes filled the room and their ever so wonderful harmonies demand your attention... What a great start!!
And then after a short interlude those ever so dandy horses took to the stage...these guys and gals are talented and bring us a set of mostly upbeat folk stompers interspersed with delicate ballads.
One by one members of the sell out crowd where on their feet and dancing by the end of the end the whole room was moving from the foot tappers to dancing throng at the front... The Dandies seemed overwhelmed by the response but it was deserved...

The Dandy Horses

Stand out songs for me tonight were lead single of the EP 'Driving Towards Blue Skies' and the very catchy singalong 'My Heart Goes Boom' By the end we were all partied out...
Thank you Dandy Horses for a great wee party...

Mark Reid

photos by Ronnie Purvis