Legendary Irish bluesman Rory Gallagher, who has influenced every significant guitarist from Johnny Marr to Slash, will be celebrated at his birthplace of Ballyshannon for the Donegal town's Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2014.
Now in its 12th year, the award winning festival, which annually attracts 10,000 rock n' blues fans from 20 different countries, will feature in excess of 25 acts from across the world, including ex. Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell and his band, ex. Mama's Boys' axeman Pat McManus and his band, Johnny Gallagher and The Boxtie Band, Bad Penny, Dave McHugh Band, Moonchild and many more to be announced.
Returning to headline this year's festival are Gallagher's original band mates: Gerry McAvoy- the Belfast born bassist and Gallagher's right hand man from 1971 to 1991- and drummer Ted McKenna, both of whom will be joined by renowned Dutch guitarist Marcel Scherpenzeel.
McAvoy's Band of Friends will perform at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top on Saturday 31st
May 2014.
The full festival line up, including several more headline acts, will be announced on 2nd March 2014 to coincide with what would have been the late great man's 64th birthday.
Festival chairperson Barry O'Neill had this to say on the upcoming festivities: “Each year we strive to bring many renowned acts that have played with and have been influenced by Rory Gallagher. We are pleased that so many of Rory's fans from across the world make the trip annually and it certainly would make Rory proud. Weekend Early Bird Tickets for the nightly Big Top Concerts are on sale at just €40 for all 3 nights, its superb value and we are looking forward to finalising the program in the coming weeks while announcing several more legendary acts” added Mr. O'Neill.
Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2014 takes place in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland between Thursday 29th May and Sunday 1st June 2014
More: www.rorygallagherfestival.com
