Galway Americana Festival, 5-9 September

Pete Lamb reports:

Welcome to the Galway Americana Festival!

This is the first year of what we intend to be an annual event, presenting American roots music to Galway. So what is 'Americana'? Musically speaking, in the larger sense of the word it’s American roots music in general. ( Americana also has a more specific meaning to certain acoustic music fans, whose patience will be rewarded in the sweet by and by...) Historically, American 'roots' range as far and wide as the many cultures that merged to form America, from the French-Canadian influences of Cajun to the black African influences of blues, to the Celtic influences of bluegrass... So that’s what you can expect to hear! Bluegrass, Cajun, blues, folk, old-timey, and plain ol’ country music. In this, the first year of this festival, we will mainly be showing what Ireland itself has to offer within these genres of music. There are some very fine Irish string bands out there, and we’ve booked a bunch of em!

The festival will take place largely in two venues: Monroe's Tavern, Dominic Street, is one of the most famous and established venues in town. The Crane Bar, Sea Road, has long been a famous venue for traditional Irish music, but within the last year this venue has broadened its horizons (and its appeal) and ventured into booking more and more Americana gigs, also providing weekly free gigs for like-minded local acts every Friday. The Quays, Shop Street, will also host a headlining gig on Friday 7 Sept. by top local Cajun stompers, the Maimin Cajun Band. Over half the gigs and sessions will be presented free - so if you like what you see, please try and help the festival by attending a pay gig too; you won't be disappointed!

This festival also represents a rare chance to catch some international acts, such as the rootsy Mollie O’Brien, the rocking Jeff and Vida Band, and the sublime Johnny Dickinson. Next year will see more acts from across the pond, and some Americana in the more esoteric sense of the word... Meanwhile... y’all come, y’hear..!?

BIB editor's note: Pete points out that the Festival website is still under construction, but the full timetable can already be seen on it. Meanwhile, more details on the artists can be seen here.