Southern Tenant Folk Union in Ireland, 9-19 Feb. 2011

The BIB carried six weeks ago a provisional list of dates for the coming tour of Ireland by the award-winning UK folk/bluegrass act Southern Tenant Folk Union. Thanks to STFU banjo-player Pat McGarvey (on right in above photo) for an updated and complete schedule for the eleven-date tour, which begins a week today. Tickets are on sale now for all tour dates. Please note that despite what the BIB may have said since the start of this year, the band will be playing at the Mercantile Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday 15 February.

After an Irish tour last summer, including appearing at the Omagh festival, the STFU revisited Ireland in October for a special live performance of their song ‘No work today’ on 'The View' on RTE – see footage here. The band recently won the title ‘Americana Artist of the Year' at the British Country Music Awards, voted by readers of Maverick Magazine. Their third album, The new farming scene, has won widespread critical acclaim in Ireland and the UK.

Based originally in London and now in Edinburgh, Southern Tenant Folk Union is a seven-piece band, most of who come from the Scottish folk music tradition: Adam Bulley (mandolin, guitar), Jenny Hill (double bass), Carrie Thomas (fiddle, vocals), Chris Purcell (guitar, vocals), Ewan Macintyre (percussion, harmonica, vocals), Jed Milroy (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals), and Pat McGarvey (banjo, vocals). Here are their February dates in Ireland:

Wed. 9th: Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets £13; box office + 44 (0) 28 8224 7831

Thurs. 10th: Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets £10/£8 concs; box office +44 (0) 28 7083 1400

Fri. 11th: Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal; 8.30 p.m. onstage; tickets €15; box office +353 (0)74 913 1840

Sat. 12th: Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets €15; box office +353 (0)71 985 5833

Sun. 13th: Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Co. Cork; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets €15/€12 concs; box office +353 (0)21 481 2790

Mon. 14th: Kilworth Village Arts Centre, Co. Cork; 8.15 p.m. onstage; tickets €15; bookings/info: John Nyhan +353(0)87 792 1771

Tues. 15th: Mercantile Hotel, Dame St, Dublin 2 + guests; 8.00 p.m. doors; tickets €15 from www.oldflattop.com, Ticketmaster Outlets or WAV 1890 200 078

Wed. 16th: Arnie & Sharon's, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets £10; bookings by e-mail or +44 (0)774 7120659 (call after 6.00 p.m. only)

Thurs. 17th: St John’s Arts Centre, Listowel, Co. Kerry; 8.00 p.m. onstage; tickets tbc; box office +353 (0)68 22566

Fri. 18th: Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down; 8.00 p.m. doors; tickets £8; box office +44 (0)28 9181 0803

Sat. 19th: Market Place Theatre, Armagh; 8.30 p.m. onstage; tickets £15 (or £27 including Cajun dinner); box office +44 (0)28 3752 1821

‘Those harmonies, especially a cappella, are glorious, and the playing is out of the top drawer too’ (Keith Bruce, Sunday Herald)