Harvest Time Blues
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| Harvest Time Blues | |
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| Location(s) | Monaghan, Ireland |
| Years active | 1990–2001, 2007-present |
| Founded by | Somhairle MacConghail, Seamus McKenna |
| Date(s) | First weekend of September (3/4 days) |
| Genre(s) | Blues, Funk, Soul, Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Reggae. |
| Website | harvestblues.com |
The Harvest Time Blues Festival, the Monaghan Rhythm and Blues Festival, is often referred to as the most prestigious and established blues festival in Ireland[1]. It is also seen as one of the great innovations in Ireland’s calendar of niche musical events. Van Morrison performed Harvest Time Blues in 1998, and other international artists include Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and ex-Rolling Stones guitarist, Mick Taylor[2].
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[edit] Location
The festival takes place at various venues across Monaghan town. Monaghan is located in the north of the Republic of Ireland and 90 minutes drive north-west of Dublin. There are no rail services to Monaghan, however there are bus services from Dublin, Belfast, Donegal and other areas. The nearest airports to Monaghan are in Dubin and Belfast[3]. The main stage resides at The Hillgrove Hotel, while numerous other pubs across the town host smaller gigs in what is collectively known as “The Blues Trail”.
[edit] Through The Years
The first Harvest Time Blues festival took place in 1990, to promote and enrich the cultural life of Monaghan, the North-East and Ireland. The festival was an initiative between Somhairle MacConghail, the Arts Officer for County Monaghan, and local publican and blues enthusiast Seamus McKenna[4]. The festival has taken place every September since, except between the years of 2001 and 2006, and was originally sponsored by Heineken for its first initial eleven years. Through the years Harvest Time Blues has seen many great artists like Van Morrison, who performed there in 1998. Other international artists include Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and ex-Rolling Stones guitarist, Mick Taylor.
[edit] 2008 Festival
Harvest Time Blues 2008 will take place on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of September, 2008. One of the most exciting deveploments for this years festival is the introduction of a large marquee, which organisers hope will bring the music on to the streets, and help in the creation of a festival atmosphere. 'The Marquee' this year will become the main stage, which was held at the Hillgrove Hotel last year, and will help focus activities within the main centre of town.
[edit] Confirmed bands
Artists confirmed for The Marquee are Doug Jay & The Blues Jays, Walter Trout & The Radicals, Sherman Robertson & Blues Move, Earl Thomas, Elliott & The Untouchables, Mitch Woods & the Big Easy Boogie. Artists confirmed for the Market House are Doug McLeod, Marc Stone Duo, Jack Lawrence, Charlotte & Tony Williamson, and Arthur Ebeling. Top bands on the Blues Trail are Robin Bibi Band, Tantrum Rock, Brixton Hill Billies, Alan Nimmo Band, Ronnie Greer Blues Band, Doctor Brown & Groovecats, and The Cadillac Kings, with more bands still to be announced.
[edit] 2007 Festival
The Harvest Time Blues 2007, sponsored by Guinness, took place from Thursday September 6 to the Sunday September 9, and saw the return of the blues festival to Monaghan. Tickets went on sale at the end of July and could be purchased from The Market House or The Hillgrove Hotel. Thursday night performances cost ten euro, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday night performances cost twenty euro. A season ticket could also be purchased for fifty euro, which covered an individual for the duration of the festival. Gigs on The Blues Trial were free of charge.
Venues on The Blues Trail include An Póc Fada, Master Deery’s Bar, PK’s Bar, Terry’s Bar & Lounge, The Anchor Bar, The Brewery Bar, The Shamrock Bar, The Squealing Pig Bar, The Still Bar, The Tavern Bar, and Tír na nÓg.
A Blues Survivor night was held in An Póc Fada and Seamus McKenna’s on Monday September 10. An Póc Fada featured two of the Polish bands, K-3 and Kasa Chorych, from the festival and a barbecue in its beer garden. Mc kenna’s hosted Easy Rider, and the Jeff and Vida Band.
[edit] Line-up
Bands that played the festival included Tommy Castro, Chris Smither, Bobby Radcliff, The Nimmo Brothers, Republic of Loose, K-3, Easy Rider, Kasa Chorych, Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys, Hollywood Slim & The fat Cats, The Stumble, Groove Doctors, Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, So Long Angel, Robin Bibi Band, Ben Reel Band, Paddy Sherlock & The Swingin’ Lovers, The Brain Meakin Band, Jeff & Vida Band.
[edit] Main Stage
| The Fours Seasons Hotel | The Hillgrove Hotel | |
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| Thursday 9.00pm | K-3 Easy Rider Kasa Chorych |
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| Friday 9.30pm | Chris Smither Tommy Castro Band The Nimmo Brothers |
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| Saturday 9.30pm | Chris Smither The Nimmo Brothers Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys |
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| Sunday 9.00pm | Chris Smither Bobby Radcliff Republic of Loose |
[edit] The Blues Trail
| An Poc Fada | Master Deery's | PK's | Terry’s | The Anchor Bar | The Brewery Bar | The Shamrock Bar | The Squealing Pig | The Still Bar | The Tavern Bar | Tír na nÓg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 9.30pm - 12am | The Stumble | Annapolis Bluegrass | Swingin Lovers | Robin Bibi Band | The Brian Meakin Band | Kasa Chorych | Easy Rider | Roadhouse | So Long Angel | Hollywood Slim & Fat Cats | Ben Reel Band |
| Saturday 3pm - 6pm | Blues Jam | Ben Reel Band | Roadhouse | Annapolis Bluegrass | Robin Bibi Band | The Brian Meakin Band | Hollywood Slim & Fat Cats | K-3 | |||
| Saturday 9.30pm - 12am | Kasa Chorych | So Long Angel | Hollywood Slim & Fat Cats | Ben Reel Band | K-3 | The Stumble | Roadhouse | Easy Rider | Swingin Lovers | Robin Bibi Band | Jeff and Vida |
| Sunday 1pm - 3pm | So Long Angel | Annapolis Bluegrass | K-3 | Swingin Lovers | Jeff and Vida | ||||||
| Sunday 3pm - 5pm | Easy Rider | Blues Jam | Robin Bibi Band | The Brian Meakin Band | The Stumble | ||||||
| Sunday 8.30pm - 11pm | The Brian Meakin Band | K-3 | Ben Reel Band | Swingin Lovers | Hollywood Slim & Fat Cats | Easy Rider | Kasa Chorych | Jeff and Vida | Annapolis Bluegrass | So Long Angel | Roadhouse |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Monaghan Post, 2007-09-06. "Who’s Behind the Blues?"
- ^ Monaghan Tourism, 2007. "Monaghan Town."
- ^ AA Roadwatch, 2007. "Harvest Time Blues Festival."
- ^ The Northern Standard, 2007-09-13. Harvest Time Blues Festival.
