Fans of Rock Americana and just great music are in for a real treat next weekend when the much-loved Wade Lynch Band returns to Mayo - with four separate gigs in Ballina.
The US band based in Brittany, France, famed for its slick arrangements, compelling lyrics and melodic masterpieces, returns to Mayo after ten years, with New Jersey native Wade promising to deliver the good stuff over the trip to the many supportive fans he and the band truly appreciate.
"When you show up, you got to deliver, and in Ireland, when you show up, then they feed you, they pay you, and ask you back - what more could you want?", Wade quipped to the Mayo Advertiser this week, as he outlined the itinerary for this special Irish trip.
"We are doing four shows over three days, from June 30 to July 2nd. It's ten years since we've been back in Ireland and we are just incredibly excited to go back.
"The last time we were in Mayo we played in Emmet Maloney's in Ballina - Maloney's was a very historic place and Emmet was such a great guy; unfortunately, Emmet passed away, but his son Micheal is doing lots of great stuff with music just now, including The Late Late Show."
The band will also spend two days in Cork during the visit, where the connection is very strong, as Wade lived in Cork from 2010 to 2017, and had it as a base while they played all over the country and recorded an album there.
"On this visit we'll also be recording some new stuff in Cork - to add to our most recent single - available on my website - You've Come Along - which continues my 20-year collaboration with guitarist Jacques Belghit, my co-writer on this track. The song tackles the subjects of relationship breakdowns, not learning from the past and self-serving helping hands. It features a wonderful cast of musicians who have my respect and gratitude."
Wade recalls that the Mayo bonds became firmly established following the Bruce Springsteen concert in Kilkenny in 2013. At the time, the band was holding down a two-show-a-day residency there, and Ballina man, Garry Loftus, who was down south to see Springsteen, also discovered The Wade Lynch Band and said, "I think they would love to have you on board in Ballina," - which suited Wade just fine, as he says himself - "I fancied a trip!"
Wade added: "When we went up to Mayo and Ballina, Emmet and I really connected deeply about being Bob Dylan fans, as I am a huge Dylan fan also. Emmet was a legend, a great guy and the reception we got was freaking amazing.
"This year, I decided I wanted to come back to Ireland and do some gigs, I called Garry (Loftus ) straight away - and now the plan is, we will literally get off the boat, spend two days in a recording studio in Cork, - and then travel to Ballina and do four shows; and then that's it, we have to travel back to France for more gigs! So it will be a a real whirlwind and an eventful six days."
All the more reason for anyone with a hint of rhythm and a feel for Americana country, rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, to book their slot now - ticket details below.
Wade adds: "I've been a songwriter for a lot of years, working with the same French guitar player Jacques Belghit and drummer Colin Legret for 20 years and we are really family now. Bassist Victor Le Coze joined the band two years ago and will join us on this trip.
"Around 2010, I was starting to look for gigs for the band in Ireland and it was a great time to do so it seemed, as Rock Americana is what we do and it was really popular at the time. So we came to Ireland and, being a yank, and with my grandfather born in Galway, it gave me that connection with the country and so it was easier to find gigs."
As they make last-minute preparations for next week's trip to the Green Isle, Wade adds: "I'm so excited, incredibly so. I would have never left Ireland if I didn't have to go to London for steady work. Being back where my grandfather was born, the country was just amazing and felt so great, both musically and personally. Just to be in the country and around Ireland again, enjoying the hospitality, and the people - they're my people; to do that again now with Jacques and Colin, we are just so looking forward to it and what will be a huge reunion for us recording in Cork at Blackwater Studios and then to be back in Ballina."
The Wade Lynch band's concerts in Ballina are as follows: Tarbh 47 on Friday, June 30th, starting at 10pm; Quay West, Saturday, July 1st, at 11pm; An Bolg Buí, Sunday, July 2nd, at 7pm and Tarbh 47, Sunday, July 2nd, at 10pm. See https://wadelynch.com/live/ for full details.
