BACK IN THE GROOVE… Pat McManus
FLive are delighted to welcome again Pat McManus and his band to this year’s Festival – a must see show for all fans of Celtic Rock.
Fermanagh music fans will be delighted to hear that local rock legend Pat McManus and his band are performing a one off show as part of the Fermanagh Live Festival.
The Pat McManus Band is Pat’s latest incarnation in a career spanning around 40 years.
With music in his blood – Pat’s father and mother were both highly accomplished traditional Irish music players – Pat and his brothers picked up musical instruments at an early age and by the age of 7 he’d already appeared on live TV.
At 14, Pat was All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and later discovered Horslips – laying the foundations for an ever evolving career in music that takes in many bands, studio albums, supporting tours and festivals.
Inspired by a close relationship with Horslips, the boys swapped their traditional instruments for electronic and become Mama’s Boys – quickly winning over audiences, being asked to support almost every rock band that played Belfast and Dublin and quickly releasing their first album.
The band quickly got noticed in England and were soon touring with Hawkwind – and their second album got them a hit record, Needle in the Groove.
By now the band were so popular that Phil Lynott personally asked them if they would be his support band on Thin Lizzy’s farewell tour, which also included a slot at Reading Rock.
Soon, the boys were getting airplay in the US, where they’ve toured with Bon Jovi.
Here in the UK, the band played the Knebworth Festival in front of a 100,000 strong crowd, toured Europe with Gary Moore and headlined their own gigs in Ireland.
The band has also won Best Album of the Year at the Irish World Music Awards.
Missing the shores of Lough Erne, Pat returned to Fermanagh with his family and continues to write and teach music, working the length and breadth of Ireland and releasing his first solo album.
The Pat McManus band’s first live DVD has been a sell out since its release and the appearance at FLive coincides with the release of a new album scheduled for early October.
You can relive old Celtic Rock memories – and make some new ones – with Pat MacManus on Friday October 4, from 5pm at The Bush, Enniskillen – tickets available now at FLive.orguk.