Playing second fiddle to no-one

Published on 01/06/2012 12:51

Cork-based The Mandolas’ greatest day is yet to come so Mark Roche previews what is likely to be the performance to watch out for during this weekend’s Clancy Brothers Music and Arts Festival in Carrick-on-Suir.

Four-piece, folk-pop group The Mandolas have spent the last year honing their craft and touring the length and breadth of Ireland. In such a short space of time they have now risen from a support act to Friday night headliners for The Clancy Brothers Festival in Carrick on Suir (Friday, June 1).

Endless touring accompanied by one of the most significant releases in Irish Folk/Pop of 2012 have assured that The Mandolas are more than deserving of such a prestige; their shared theatricality and conversational performances even makes it easy to see why The Clancy Brothers festival is so welcoming of these four young men. Following on from support slots in which The Mandola’s most often outperform their seniors with acts such as Maria Doyle Kennedy and Tommy Fleming declaring their support for this eclectic mix of Folk and Pop.

Their EP, My Greatest Day was released in April with stunning reviews across the board. Songs like ‘Raise a Glass’ and title track ‘Greatest Day’ showcase the true talent of these multi-instrumentalists; four part harmonies, guitars, bouzouki’s, violas, banjos and of course mandolins, these guys really are the sultans of string.

They have been previously referred to as ‘an Irish version of The Beatles’ but don’t be confused by lazy comparisons. The Mandolas’ are a tour de force in their own right (albeit influenced by the Liverpudlian legends), but there are far too many veins of inspiration to count in this pulsating heart of Irish folk music.

The Clancy Brothers festival itself will play host to acts such as De Dannan, John Spillane and The High Kings; workshops, tours and exhibitions will occupy a weekend’s worth of activities capped off each night with what can surely only be a powerful performance with and in memoriam of some of the greatest musicians Ireland has ever produced.

The festival itself runs from Thursday, May 31 until Monday, June 4.

For further information you can visit www.clancybrothersfestival.org or call 051 640 200

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Playing second fiddle to no-one

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