Banjos at the ready in Balla

BALLA BOUND Craig Judelman and Jack B Latimer are among the many acts on this year’s Balla Bluegrass Festival programme.

For the last nine years, Balla Bluegrass Festival marked the end of the bluegrass festivals season in Ireland. This October Bank Holiday, October 26-29, will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary and a special programme as been put together to mark the occasion.
The festival was started by Tommy ‘T-Bone’ Lyons, and four years ago the organising team of The Westport Folk and Bluegrass festival came on board to help with producing the event.
As in previous years, all the gigs will take place in Mannion’s and The Olde Woods pubs, and the gigs were alternated between the two venues to give chance for the music fans to catch all the gigs. The upcoming programme will include three new acts and two of the festival’s favourites.
The line-up includes American fiddle-player Craig Judelman and Australian musician Jack B Latimer, both of whom are currently based in the UK and play with number of bluegrass outfits. The duo has created a unique show of bluegrass, old-time, country and gypsy music for their first Irish tour.
The Often Herd (UK) are one of the leading bands of the new revival of bluegrass music in The UK, and they promise to bring a lively and energetic bluegrass show to the festival.
Roger Green (US) is a founder and leading member of The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition. For his first-ever festival headline show in Ireland, he will be joined by the powerhouse of Bill Forster (banjo), Julianan Erkkonen (fiddle), and Fergus Pacman (bass) to form supergroup that is likely to be one of this year’s highlights.
Woodbine are Ireland’s longest-running bluegrass outfit, and they have played at every Balla Bluegrass Festival for the last nine years, making them a firm festival favorite. They sure to bring the house down once again this year.
As in previous years, the festival will come to a close with Balla local heroes Colonel Bluegrass Rides Again, led by no other than The Colonel himself, Tommy Lyons.

For full details of all the gigs, see The Balla Bluegrass Festival’s Facebook page.