After an unprecented sell-out album launch in Westport last year, Galway-based folk band, The Whileaways, will take to the stage at Westport Town Hall on Saturday, August 24, for an intimate acoustic gig.
Three powerful forces in Irish roots music in their own right, Noelie McDonnell, Noriana Kennedy and Nicola Joyce combine as The Whileaways to create a beguiling tapestry of harmonies, tradition and beautifully crafted original songs. Their sound is simply captivating.
Band-member Nicola Joyce, speaking on behalf of the band said: "We are so excited to be returning to Westport for this gig in Westport Town Hall - we have had so many requests to return after our album launch last year in the yard bar of Matt Molloys - where they had to turn away a lot of people as a result of a packed house! We've always wanted to play the theatre in the town so we decided to just go for it and are really looking forward to it."
Having originally toured separately, these three singers came to know each other’s singing on home ground while playing sessions in the folk melting pot of Galway city. Dipping their toe in the water as a trio, they were hailed as ‘a knockout of the festival’ at the legendary Port Fairy Folk Festival, Australia, in 2012, and have continued to make waves in the folk music scene both at home and abroad since then.
Their critically acclaimed 2016 album 'Saltwater Kisses' received a four star review in the Irish Times, and was the RTE Radio 1 Album of the week on its release. It also brought them to perform on The RTE Late Late Show and The Nathan Carter Show and most recently Virgin Media 1 by demand.
2017 was a year of exploring new territories for this trio of songwriters. Crafting deceptively simple, deeply affecting Americana-tinged folk, their third full-length album, 'From What We're Made' doesn't stray from their successful formula and the 12 track release is laden with absolutely stunning melodies and harmonies. Their outstanding Galway International Arts Festival performance showcased an exciting new project with the Saltwater Ensemble - an 8 piece brass and string ensemble specially commissioned for the occasion.
This is a unique combination of songwriters, singers and voices, who are bringing their enthralling live performance to The Westport Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, August 24. Tickets are priced at €20 and are available online from www.westporttheatre.com or from The Town Hall Theatre box office by calling 098 28459.
