Horslips and more for Rory 2020

The legendary Horslips are amongst the headline acts which have been announced for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival which will take place from the 28th – 31st of May 2020.

The 18th Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival is set to be a very Special celebration of the Late Rory Gallagher with a legendary line up of Blues Rock artists that features ERIC GALES & HIS BAND, HORSLIPS featuring Johnny Fean, Jim Lockhart, Barry Devlin & Ray Fean, GERRY McAVOY’S – BAND OF FRIENDS, the legendary WALTER TROUT & HIS BAND, Thin Lizzy Legend – ERIC BELL & HIS BAND, Mama’s Boy’s Legend – PAT McMANUS & HIS BAND, the renowned rockers GRAND SLAM, the Irish Blues Rocker – JOHNNY GALLAGHER & BOXTIE, performing the music of Taste – SAM DAVIDSON’S TASTE, the renowned SINNERBOY featuring Barry Barnes, from Holland – LAUNDROMAT, from Germany – THE LOOP, the electrifying young Irish Tributes – FRESH EVIDENCE, DEUCE, MISSISSIPPI SHEIKS and MARK LANGAN & THE MERCENARIES while leading the way with the Blues are solo artists – DOM MARTIN and PETER PRICE as well as many more acts.

It’s the world’s largest gathering of Rory Gallagher, Rock and Blues fans and now in its 18th year, the birthplace of the Late Great Rory Gallgher of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland will host this renowned 4 day Festival between Thursday 28th May and Sunday 31st May 2020. It also marks the 25th Anniversary of the sad passing of the Late Rory Gallagher with many special events to take place during the Festival to honour one of the World’s greatest Blues Rock performers.

The line-up announced includes American – ERIC GALES who is without doubt one of the must-see guitarists set to perform in Ballyshannon on Sunday 31st May 2020 – Recently Joe Bonamassa heralded Eric Gales saying “Eric, you are the best guitarist in Blues Rock that the world has right now, epic in every way”. He gave the compliment after the two guitarists duelled earlier this year in the USA.

BAND OF FRIENDS led by Rory Gallagher’s bass man of some 25 years – Gerry McAvoy and a host of Special Guests will also perform at the Festival Big Top on Sunday 31st May 2020. Gerry and the Band are firm Festival favourites in Ballyshannon and their explosive energy would have Rory smiling down knowing that the Band of Friends continue to honour his legacy. Also appearing at the Festival Big Top on Sunday 31st May 2020 will be GRAND SLAM, yes they are back, 35 years after Phil Lynott formed what would be his last band. Led by original guitarist Laurence Archer, the band have returned and recently released a new single “Gone are the days” and its set to be a classic as will Sunday 31st May 2020 at the Rory Festival Big Top.

WALTER TROUT & HIS BAND will also fly the flag again for the USA at the 2020 Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon indeed it will be Walter’s second time to appear at the Festival after an emotional and highly charge performance at the Festival Big Top in 2018. The former Canned Heat and Bluesbreakers guitarist and ace sideman to the likes of John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, and Joe Tex was voted the sixth best guitarist ever in a BBC Radio listeners poll. Walter Trout & His Band will perform at the Festival Big Top on Saturday 30th May 2020. Also performing on the night will be JOHNNY GALLAGHER & BOXTIE as well as leading UK Rory Gallagher Tribute Band – SINNERBOY featuring Barry Barnes.

Irish Rock will play a particular part in this Special 25th Anniversary year in marking Rory’s sad passing and on Friday 29th May 2020 – the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top will host the legendary HORSLIPS featuring Johnny Fean, Barry Devlin, Jim Lockhart and Ray Fean. HORSLIPS are regarded as the ‘founding fathers of Celtic Rock’ and with hits such as “Dearg Doom” and “Trouble with a Capital T”, the band became infamous for their blend of Irish Trad and Rock. HORSLIPS triumphantly performed at the Rory Gallagher Festival back in 2012 on a night that attracted a capacity crowd and a celebrated atmosphere.

Also performing on Friday 29th May 2020 at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top will be a founding member and the original guitarist from Thin Lizzy – ERIC BELL & HIS BAND. The Northern Irish guitarist is renowned for his classic playing of “Whiskey in the Jar” and Eric Bell is simply put – Irish Rock royalty. The Friday night line-up will not be complete without another Irish Rock legend and Festival stalwart – PAT McMANUS & HIS BAND – Pat, Marty McDermott & Paul Faloon. The power trio are today the best live Irish Blues Rock band. Pat McManus a.k.a The Professor needs no introduction here, the Mama’s Boy’s legend shot to fame in 1982 when the band released the classic “Needle in the Groove” and later entered the American Billboard Top 100 with the album “Power and Passion”.  Completing the Friday night Big Top line-up on 29th May 2020 in Ballyshannon will be FRESH EVIDENCE a powerful Rory Gallagher Trio with a combined age of just over 60 … These lads are superb, hailing from the West of Ireland, they are living proof that Rory Gallagher’s music is timeless and will be passed on for generations.

Tickets are now on sale – www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets All 3 Nights at the Festival Big Top are now on sale at just €75 for ALL 3 Nights. There are non-stop Free Open air gigs throughout the Award winning

4 day Festival, Busking, Pub Sessions, the Wild Atlantic Way Gigs at the Rory Gallagher Statue, the Rock Hospital Gig, Exhibitions and much more. This is a truly unique experience that has to be enjoyed to be believed !!! All details on Festival Accommodation, Camping, Transport and the Latest Festival Line-up & News are available at www.rorygallagherfestival.com     All enquiries by Email to roryfest@hotmail.com

For more see www.rorygallagherfestival.com