4th Annual Americana & Roots Music Festival, Greystones, 2-5 August

Thanks to Ray O'Brien for forwarding Conor O'Donnell's updated press release, first published on the BIB on 11 July:


Dust off your ostrich-skin cowboy boots and two-step on down to Greystones this August Bank Holiday weekend for the 4th Annual Americana & Roots Music Festival, happening 2-5 August. This year's festival spans the entire weekend and features an outstanding lineup of over thirty performing artists, with the music spread across three different stages. And best of all, admission is FREE, making this one-of-a-kind Co. Wicklow event a must-see for fans of American roots music and families looking for a budget-friendly destination to bring the kids.

The Americana & Roots Music Festival showcases some of Ireland and America's finest guitar pickers, banjo pluckers, and singer/songwriters, all served up with a heaping helping of roots rock 'n' roll to close out each night. This year's highlights include:

The Cujo Family, Gypsy Rebel Rabble, Greasy Coat String Band, Corner Boy, the Baskervilles, and Diego Tijuana & the Hot Chihuahuas.

Local 'hard-folk' outfit the Cujo Family are fresh out of the studio with their debut full-length LP Stories of ruin and are ready to put their blistering live show on display on the main stage, Saturday 3 August.

Gypsy Rebel Rabble are just back from their appearance at Ireland's Body and Soul Festival and promise to rattle the rafters with their homespun, driving sound. They take the main stage Sunday 4 August.

The Baskervilles' unique brand of vagabond folk-rock is sure to please as they return again this year to the main stage. The endlessly entertaining front-man Wilbur Baskerville regales his audience with tales of expensive women, cheap brandy, and the dire consequences of mixing the two: Sunday 4 August.

Also joining us will be folk legend Al O'Donnell; bluegrass from the Greasy Coat Stringband and Huegrass; from Portland, Oregon, the legendary Kory Quinn; and from Denver, Colorado, Ben Jordan. Lastly we will have the fantastic Big Muddy and New Peasants who hand out bucketfuls of country-rock goodness.

The Beach House at Greystones harbour is proud to host this event for the fourth consecutive year. The lovely seaside location makes for a festive, family-friendly park with American-style barbecue, music workshops, and a fun-zone for the kids with bouncy castles, games, and other activities. The Beach House offers a full restaurant and bar service and ample indoor and outdoor seating with great views of the performances. Dann's Bar next door hosts the intimate Acoustic stage and serves up the perfect beverage to accompany the live music. Admission is FREE and the fun lasts the entire weekend.