Summer Festivals IV - September

So the summer is basically over. Still doesn't mean you cant to a few music festivals. You just might need the thermals for the camping part. What's more September is host to some great live americana music in a field near(ish) you.

Harvest Time Blues
Where: Monaghan, Co. Monaghan
When: 7th-9th September
Cost: Main Stage €20 Acoustic Stage €12 Friday, €15 Sat/Sun
Camping: No
Website: Harvest Blues
Why should I Go: It’s the blues...man

I mention the blues and bluesy stuff enough times on this blog so I can't or shouldn’t ignore a quality blues festival happening up the road. In fairness, the Harvest Blues festival has everything...blues wise. You have straight-up blues, jazzy blues, swamp blues, delta blues (I feel a little like Bubba in Forest Gump listing off the different types of shrimp)with artists like Chris O'Leary and Lazy Lester. And there is some quality alt-country blues appearing at it too. The Deadstring Brothers are playing on the Friday night and look like they are well worth the journey.

Wild in the West
Where: Galway City
When: 6th -9th September
Cost: FREE - €15
Camping: No
Website: It doesn't exist
Why should I Go: It's an americana music festival not on the east coast

Finally a music festival in Galway. This festival has been continuing for a number of years now but sadly it seems it is not as well promoted as it could be. There is no online info about the festival, who's playing etc. There is however a poster going round....in Galway.Another thing about the festival, I myself wouldn't call it an americana festival. Most of the bands appearing at it are either bluegrass or roots bands. That's not to say that you can see some great music over these three days. Most of the gigs are free so if you're round the place,it might be worth checking out. The Crane Bar host mainly bluegrass artists over the three nights. The always enjoyable Mikey & the Scallywags make an appearance on the Sunday night. The Roisin Dubh have We Banjo 3 and I Draw Slow (a sample of which is below) on the Friday night and they have labelled Declan O'Rourke americana for the Saturday night. Monroes have Cool Hand Dukes on the Friday night and a Kings of Leon/Killers tribute band as well. Figure that one out! Though the Eirecana featured Sumbrellas make an appearance Saturday night. Finally The Blue Note has a americana dj set on Saturday night (I'd nearly go just to see an americana dj set) and on Sunday the alway consistent The Rye. This bluegrass-folk disguised as americana festival gets me thinking though that there is room for a proper americana/alt-country festival in Galway....hmmm.

Spirit of Folk
Where: Dunderry Park Co. Meath
When: 21st-23rd September
Cost: Weekend Camping €85 Day tickets €45
Camping: Yes
Website: Spirit of Folk
Why should I Go: The last hurrah of the summer.

The Spirit of Folk festival has been going for two years now and this year the festival is certainly looking more and more enticing. Some of my favourite bands featured on Eirecana (The Hot Sprockets, The Cujo Family, John Blek & the Rats, The Eskies) will be making an appearance. As well as that there are a few more worth investigating. Particularly Cry Monster Cry and Twin Headed Wolf and The Young Folk would be worth checking out.