Ballina town centre is set to rock on Saturday night week, August 27 when Irish rock legends The Stunning come to town as part of the inaugural French Mayo Festival. The culmination of the two-day festival, billed as "A Taste of France Along the Wild Atlantic Way", the gig will see Steve and Joe Wall's band headline the first live music event to be held under the new state-of-the-art cover provided by Mayo County Council for Ballina's historic Military Quarter.
It won't be the first time the band has visited Ballina - locals "of a certain age" will remember The Stunning rocking local nightclub and live venue, The Hothouse, more than 20 years ago. The band formed in 1987 and quickly became one of the most-loved bands on the Irish circuit, rolling out hits like "Romeo's on Fire", "Half Past Two", "Got to Get Away" and of course, the classic "Brewing Up a Storm".
The Stunning will be supported by Irish band Kíla, who describe themselves as "Irish trad meets rave". The folk/trad/world music band has been thrilling audiences around the world for years with their unique, electrifying live performances. Fronted by musical clan the O'Snodaigh brothers, the Irish eight-piece will bring a distinct multicultural flavour to the night. The live show will be opened by Jeannette Byrne, who makes a return to the town after her appearance at last year's French Ballina festival. Byrne, whose music was strongly influenced by her French grandmother, is a long-time performer of the French chanson and her performances, both solo and with artists like Jack L, have thrilled audiences for more than 20 years.
Tickets for The Stunning are available from Ballina Tourist Office for €20 or on tickets.ie priced at €22.50. A full programme of events for French Mayo is available on www.northmayo.ie/French-Mayo
