Lock & Load – Howth Roots & Blues Festival Set For 2022 Re-Launch
This weekend will see the return of the Howth Roots & Blues Festival with a host of quality acts set to to storm the stage and bring soul to the thousands. Originally set up as Howth Jazz and Blues Festival by Tommy Gaffney and Eoin Olin.
The project was taken over by In Tua Nua’s Paul Byrne in 2018 who then established it as Howth Roots and Blues in 2019 and which proved a great success. It was put in cold storage for the last two years and so this year’s event is likely to break all records.
“There is no doubt the cancellation of music events and events generally have created a huge pent up demand” says Byrne “and so the interest from music fans and the general public this year is phenomenal.”
But not only is there a greater public appetite, the two year COVID induced embargo has also meant that artists, acts and bands are more anxious than ever to get out their plectrum and take to the stage.
“We have been delighted with the response from musicians and so this year’s line-up is stronger than ever, with over 30 bands, 35 FREE GIGS plus a new outdoor stage at The Summit Inn!! Blues acts include Dom Martin, Mary Stokes, Funkster ‘Mik Pyro’ with The Dublin Blues Cartel, Stonecold Hobos and many more, all bringing their own individual brand of blues to Howth.
On the Roots music side, the line up has been extended this year to Country and Americana, including Reggae band Bajjna, Bluegrass legend Niall Toner, in short it’s a very broad musical church, with something for everybody.
“It’s set to be a huge weekend and all we want is for people to come, enjoy the free music and kick the blues away”.
Supported by Hop House 13 and Fingal County Council the return of The Howth Roots and Blues Festival will be welcomed by locals and visitors alike, as an annual event that adds colour, culture and craic to the area.
The festival starts strumming from 7pm Friday and participating venues include the Bloody Stream, McNeills, The Summit Inn, The Harbour Bar, Findlaters and O’Connells.
Festival Programme: https://www.howthrootsandblues.com/progamme
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