15 June 2018

The Honeycutters make a beeline for the 24th Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival

Thanks to Karen Cheevers of B2B Communications for this press release:

Now in its 24th year, the Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival is still proving as alluring as ever for top music acts, as some of the industry’s greatest bluegrass and country music acts line up for the free four-day festival in the Co. Waterford village from 23 to 26 August.

Fans of bluegrass, honky-tonk, blues, country, Americana and rhythm ‘n’ roots are in for a real musical treat as the picturesque village’s International Bluegrass Festival will feature fourteen artists playing almost forty free gigs throughout the village.

Headlining this year’s festival is Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, an old-school country roots band that effortlessly blends rock, folk, and country. Hailing from North Carolina, Amanda Anne Platt has earned a reputation as an assertive yet gentle and unassuming singer whose 'voice and the interplay of the guitar and mandolin gives this band their unique complex sound, a clear-sounding mash-up of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and honky-tonk', according to Elmore magazine. At 2015 MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the US, the Honeycutters received fantastic reviews.

Making a return to Dunmore East is California’s Whiskey Deaf. Fiddle player Annie Staninec was born and bred on bluegrass music, has toured the world and featured on countless albums with renowned country, Cajun and blues artists, while John Kael, an established songwriter, has been playing bluegrass guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass for over twenty years.

Having taught in some of the most prestigious music camps in the country, John and Annie will give two traditional bluegrass guitar and fiddle workshops on Friday 24 August. Places are €10 and pre-booking is essential.

Some perennial favourites returning to Dunmore East’s Bluegrass Festival include Demolition String Band, Woodbine, Mons Wheeler Band, and the Backyard Band. New acts to line up in 2018 are Brothers Parker, Pilgrim Street, Kiss My Grass, Bert and Henry, Charlie Reader, Vickers Vimy, and Whistle.

Mick Daly, festival organiser, is delighted with the calibre of both first-time and returning bands playing at the festival. 'We have a great lineup of bluegrass, country, rockabilly, roots, and Americana acts this year. We are excited about welcoming the Honeycutters to Dunmore for the first time, but also equally excited about the return of some of the big names that have appeared over the years. Many of the bands that play the Dunmore Bluegrass Festival feed off the fantastic energy of the crowd, and the fact that it is set to a stunning coastal backdrop is a bonus.'

'Over the past decade or so the festival has evolved organically and while bluegrass is still at the very heart of the festival there is a more eclectic offering of music, such as rockabilly, country, and Americana. A lot of the young, up-and-coming acts are making waves on the bluegrass scene and we’re thrilled to have an exciting line up bringing their energy and vibrancy to the festival.'

'The festival appeals to die-hard bluegrass fans who have been visiting Dunmore for decades, but it also has a broader appeal to those who simply like good toe-tappin’ music, in a beautiful seaside setting, under the sun!'

The 24th Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, Co. Waterford, kicks off on Thursday evening, 23 August, at the Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant, and heralds the start of fourteen bands, playing almost forty free gigs throughout the village.

For more information visit www.discoverdunmore.com or keep up to date on the Discover Dunmore East Facebook page.
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Mick Daly is available for interview on 051 878 832 / 087 256 2899 or e-mail.

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