The Acoustic Yard Festival Westport May 6th – 8th 2016

Between the 6th – 8th May, Westport, will host IMRO SUPPORTED ‘The Acoustic Yard Singer/Songwriters Festival’. Over 30 international acts from around the world will be playing around the town with some free events, open mic and showcase gigs.

On Friday 6th of May, the festival opens with an evening concert in the Town Hall featuring Declan O’Rourke, Anna Mitchell and Craig and Willoughby. Declan’s debut album in 2004 ‘Since Kyabram’, debuted at no. 5 on the Irish Charts and scored double-platinum sales with his song ‘Galileo (Someone Like You)’, it also has been recorded and performed by many artists,including singer Josh Groban

Bap Kennedy will be playing Saturday 7th of May in the Town Hall with Kathleen Turner and they will be joined from the USA by Teresa Storch and Jeff Brown.

Belfast singer/songwriter Bap Kennedy has won a global audience for his music, which fuses elements of folk and rock with a decidedly Celtic world view. He has collaborated in the past with Van

Morrison, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) and Galway Girl writer Steve Earle. His song “Moonlight Kiss,” also landed in the Hollywood movie Serendipity starring John Cusack.

Tickets for these two events can be booked online at www,westporttheatre.com or at the booking office 098 28459.

All other events are free including the Saturday afternoon songwriters collective between 12 pm and 5 pm that includes international acts Daithi Rua from Belgium and Zia Land from Norway – to popular local acts like Graham Sweeney and Brian Duffy. There is an open mic in the foyer with sign in at 11.45 am and showcase gigs in the bar area.

The last day of the festival is called ‘The Songwriters Trail’ where listeners can follow the music from The Creel at the Quay via Mono Cafe, High St, The Gallery Wine Bar and Matt Molloy’s, Bridge St. Artists on the day include Warren Attwell, Elaine Griffin, Brigid O’Neill and Kate O’Callaghan.

There is a special commemorative 20 track The Acoustic Yard Compilation CD on sale for 10 euros featuring some of the acts playing at this year’s festival. It can be bought at the Town Hall Theatre or online at the Acoustic Yard Website.

The main focus of the festival is for singer/songwriters to have a platform to perform their own songs and for audiences to listen to original music in a relaxed environment and most importantly to enjoy a wonderful weekend of entertainment. Tickets for main evening gigs are €22 each night and can be bought online at www.westporttheatre.com or at the booking office (098) 28459.

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