Roots Rhythms festival to be launched in Enniscorthy

The launch will take place in TJ Murphy’s ‘Roots Garden’ and will feature live music from the Kerbickers, who include Wexford original songwriters, Shane Kenny and Dakota Venn-Keane in its ranks.

There will also be DJs on the night and the fun will begin at 8 p.m. This year’s Rhythm Roots festival will take place over the June Bank Holiday weekend and will feature an eclectic line-up of music acts with something of interest for all tastes.

The Market Square stage will see the Moonrockers bring their unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll to a County Wexford audience at 8 p.m, on Saturday, June 3.

There will also be DJs from the South East Rock ‘n’ Roll club performing on the day and the following day the Roots Garden at TJ Murphy’s will host a performance from Alan Power & The Aftershocks from 4 p.m. and again, there will also be music from the South East Rock ‘n’ Roll Club DJs.

Later that same day, at 9 p.m. the attention will turn to The Bailey, where The Bobalulaz will keep things alive and rocking.

In addition to the music there will also be a wide range of family entertainment throughout Enniscorthy over the weekend including an appearance by Wexford magician, Kristian Grey, who will be part of the big party in Market Square on Sunday, afternoon, June 4.

The team behind the festival work hard at bringing some of the very best contemporary original and cover music artists to Enniscorthy and working with an ethos of ‘great music deserves to be heard’ this year’s Roots Rhythms Festival will also include a showcase event in the ‘Listening Club’ in the Bailey which will provide an ideal warm-up for some of the later gigs taking place in 15 venues around the town at night and in the evening time.

On Friday, June 2, the listening club will see local artist, Acko, perform a Hank Williams 100th birthday tribute show along with Trader Sam & The Slicks, while the Godfathers of Irish roots music, Niall Toner and Dermot Byrne will take to the Bailey stage at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.

That same day, at 3 p.m. there will be a country jamboree in TJ Murphy’s Roots Garden featuring Peer Pleasure (2 p.m.), Trader Sam & The Slicks (3 p.m.) and Kiss My Grass (4 p.m.)

The following day the same venue will see performances from Raglan Rodeo (2 p.m.), Rock the Baptist (3 p.m.) and Alan Power & The Aftershocks (4.30 p.m.).

There will also be a sustainability aspect to this year’s festival with guest speakers and demonstrations focusing attention on regeneration, biodiversity, Grow Your Own, the oceans, and how everyone can play their part in bringing about positive climate change actions.

Among the other acts scheduled to appear at the festival are the BC Blues band and JMA, both of whom are highly regarded on the contemporary local music circuit.

For more information on all gigs and events taking place throughout the weekend look up the Roots Rhythms Festival social media pages.