Music
Mayo Day will be bringing another stellar line up of music to the main stage this Mayo Day. Pearse Street in Ballina will be the focal point for all things music this Mayo Day and once again Mayo.ie has put together a brilliant programme of music to keep you all entertained throughout the day.
Boxing Banjo 5.30pm
Mayo natives Boxing Banjo have quickly become one of the most respected Irish music acts. Comprising four accomplished Irish musicians, brothers Darragh and Mícheál Healy along with Joseph McNulty and Sean O’Meara have amassed in excess of 20 Irish Championship titles on various instruments in traditional Irish music and singing along with 4 World bodhrán titles.
Their live shows exude a feel-good factor which persuades the inner dancer and vocalist in every audience member. This has also been recognized internationally, seeing them awarded “Up & Coming Band of the Year” in the 2020 American Listener Supported Radio Celtic Music Awards.
Combining a myriad of instruments including button accordion, tenor banjo, guitar, fiddle and bodhrán, their sound transcends musical boundaries bringing listeners on a truly captivating musical voyage like no other. Striking vocal arrangements from these gifted vocalists afford the listener an opportunity to sit back and appreciate the nuances while equally allowing them to propel the band’s infectious choruses.
Boxing Banjo released their highly anticipated second studio album, entitled Round 2, in May 2022 which is jam-packed with original material.
Lisa Canny 4.15pm
Seven-time All-Ireland champion on harp and banjo, Mayo-born and bred Lisa Canny began her career touring the U.S., Canada, Russia and Europe extensively as lead singer and music with groups Celtic Crossroads and The Young Irelanders, playing to live crowds of over 50k and appearing on 2x PBS specials.
Lisa holds a BA in Irish Music and Dance and a MA in Ethnomusicology. “Discovered” by Miles Copeland (The Police, CIA Records) at a gig in LA Lisa was soon after invited to ASCAPs Annual Songwriters Retreat and introduced to Jodi Marr, who signed her to her first publishing deal with AbFab Artists.
As she began to write her own material Lisa found that she was inspired as much by contemporary music genres like pop and electronica as she was the Irish traditional and folk music she was brought up on. Combining these elements, Lisa’s original music is unlike anything else.
Her debut single “Lifeline” was released June 2015 and went in at number 9 in the Irish charts. Her debut EP “Freedom” was released May 2018 and reached number 5 in the Irish charts. She is the “Future Music” Songwriter of the Year 2016 and was nominated for the same by UMA in 2018. BBC America named her within the "Top Ten Irish acts you don't want to miss".
In 2021 Canny sold out The Jazz Cafe London, sold out 27 dates on her European tour, played at Six Nations and Buckingham Palace, was playlisted on 2fm and RTE Radio 1 and was BBC Introducing supported. In 2022 Canny released her visual E.P. FOLK+, which has already received 2x nominees at Exeter International Film Festival, performed a TedX, collaborated with Rolex, and made the cover of LIFE magazine.
Michael S and Clodagh Togher 3.30pm
Michael S.and Clodagh Togher are a father and daughter duo from Belmullet.
Michael S. Is in the music business for 25 year and is well known for his Song writing His Daughter Clodagh joined him on Stage two years ago at the age of 12 and since then the duo has gone from strength to strength with their popular brand of Irish folk and Country Music. This very proud Mayo duo will have you swinging to their beat from the first note.
Trad Lib 3.05pm
Trad Lib are a rocking folk group who will mend together the best of traditional Irish and Rock music into a mesmerising symphony that will get you moving from their first note.
This talented group of musicians brings a fresh and innovative approach to traditional Irish music, infusing it with the energy and excitement of rock and roll. Their unique sound is defined by the powerful melodies and rocking grooves they bring to their act. Trad Lib have quickly gained a dedicated following and have been wowing crowds with their high-energy performances at gigs and music venues across the region.
Gerry Guthrie 2pm
Gerry Guthrie is a renowned Irish country music singer and musician who has established himself as a prominent figure in the genre. Born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, Guthrie developed a love for music at a young age and began performing on the local scene in pubs and at parties & weddings.
In 2001 , Gerry was invited to join one of Ireland’s international stars, Sandy Kelly as lead guitarist with her touring production of “The Patsy Cline Story”. This was the beginning of a chain of events that led to Gerry being offered a management and recording deal with Henry McMahon Promotions and K-Mac Records.
In 2010, Guthrie released his debut album, "A Hard Act To Follow," which received critical acclaim and solidified his position as a rising star in the Irish country music scen. It earned “Album of The Year” at The Sunday World Music & Entertainment Awards. He went on to release several more successful albums, including "A New Moon Over My Shoulder," "Walking In The Sunshine," and his most recent offering "This Ain’t My First Rodeo."
Known for his unique voice and guitar slinging skills, Guthrie has earned a reputation for his high-energy performances and ability to connect with audiences. He has toured extensively throughout Ireland and the UK, as well as in the United States and Canada, and has shared the stage with many of country music's biggest stars.
Guthrie's hit songs include "Mayo Will Always Be Home," "The Doghouse" and "The Boxer," which have all topped the Irish country music charts. He has also been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the 2015 Sunday World Male Vocalist of the Year and the 2016 Hot Country TV Male Vocalist of the Year.
Stuart Moyles 1pm
Stuart Moyles is a singer-songwriter hailing from County Mayo, Ireland. Born into a musical family, Moyles developed a love for music at a young age and began performing in local venues and festivals.
In 2016, Moyles released his debut EP, "Broken Record," which showcased his unique blend of folk, rock, and country music. The EP received critical acclaim and led to several high-profile gigs.
Moyles went on to release his debut album, "Till The Wheels Fall Off," in 2019. The album was a collection of catchy, upbeat tracks that showcased Moyles' versatility as a songwriter and performer. The album's lead single, "Whiskey in the Jar," received airplay on several Irish radio stations and helped to further establish Moyles as a rising star in the Irish music scene.
Known for his engaging live performances, Moyles has toured extensively throughout Ireland and the UK, playing in small venues and festivals alike.
Moyles' dedication to his craft and his commitment to making a positive impact on the world around him have earned him a devoted fan base and set the stage for what promises to be a long and successful career in the music industry.
Hit Machine Drummers 12.20pm
The Hit Machine Drummers have been making waves in the entertainment industry since 2013, and for good reason. They are the biggest, most energetic, raw, and hardworking group of drummers in Ireland. From day one, they have been getting bigger, better, faster and louder, and have created all of their material and choreography themselves.
Their unique celtic drummer style, complete with a fierce warrior look, plain black kilts, chains, and leather vest, and an armory of drums, is sure to leave audiences in awe. But it's not just their striking appearance that sets them apart; their jaw-dropping choreography and toe-tapping grooves make for a fun-filled show with conga lines, rhythm games, and even the occasional audience member invited up on stage to join in on the fun.
The Hit Machine Drummers have performed at major venues in Ireland, festivals, and parades throughout the country including Mayo Day previously.
Finéinn Quinn 12pm
Finéinn Quinn is an up-and-coming multi-instrumentalist and singer who was encouraged to start taking fiddle lessons in school. Since then, he has gone on to be a self-thought Guitar, Piano and Bodhrán player with my most prestigious accolade coming at the 2013 All Ireland Fleadh in Derry when he won Gold.
His music is a cultural blend of Folk, Pop and Indie to combine into a sound unique to me. I have many musical influences from Coldplay to Christy Moore all the way to David Bowie, and you will hear whispers of these musical geniuses throughout his original music.
Mike O'Connor - Home In Mayo
Galway based contemporary singer-songwriter Micheál O’Connor, originally from Co. Mayo, released his new single on February 8th. The lyrics evoke the spirit of his home county, hence the title ‘Home in Mayo’.
Micheál’s new release displays his heartfelt side, as he describes how family members had to seek work abroad due to difficult times. Unfortunately, not all emigrants had the option to return home.
Listeners can interpret the track's lyrics both in terms of nostalgia and serenity, while envisaging being part of that era through the song’s imagery, which depicts scenes of the moon illuminating the hallway, the smell of candle grease, and the unlocked front door.
You can listen to the track below:
