Kilkenny Roots Festival – various venues throughout the city / Day one, Friday 03.05.2024

Well that came around quick! only feels like yesterday that I was out and about in Kilkenny city covering the fabulous Roots Festival that takes place every year over the May bank-holiday weekend (Ire).
As with every year there are a number of headline shows (paid shows) in different venues & bars, then you have the Smithwick’s Music Trail which consists over over 70 free shows dotted throughout the city in numerous bars.
As they is so much happening I only every manage to get around to the headline shows and with Friday being the opening Day we are eased into it easy with only three shows on as things dont start till the evening, unlike Saturday and Sunday where things start mid-day.
So Friday gave use Jeffery Martin starting off proceedings in Billy Byrnes Gastro Bar & Venue and like most if not all by now it was sold-out and didn’t take long for thing to warm up nicely both on and off stage.
Next up was none other than American blues and soul singer-songwriter Robert Finley playing The Set Theatre and man this was one hell of a show, if you like the blues well Robert is the real deal and you will not get a more authentic Louisiana blues singer than Robert.
Finishing out the night with a late show in Cleere’s Bar & Theatre where six piece Norwich-based country rock band. Another sold-out show and every crammed into the intimate surrounds of Cleere’s and those that were lucky enough to get tickets were treated to a great night of guitar-driven 90s alternative rock with the folk and country sounds of the 70s. Playing songs from their recently release debut album Reservoir mixed in with some already new songs the crowd left happy and I’m guessing not all went home to there beds and I’m expecting to see a few sore heads on my rounds today lol.

Jeffery Martin photos:

Robert Finley photos:

Brown Horse photos:

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