Planxty Regroup for some shows at home
The biggest news out
of Ireland in the last few weeks has been plans by legendary traditional
band Planxty to do some gigs. Not only that but this is the original
lineup that were brought together as a backing band for Christy
Moore's Prosperous album. Back when I was in my early teens and hacking away
at the strings of my first guitar I got the chance to see Planxty live.
It was one of those moments in time that stays with you always. I was
lucky enough to see them 3 or 4 more times over the years with various
lineup changes which included people like Paul
Brady but that original
band is the one that left an impression on me.
Some 30 years after
the band formed they are getting together for some dates in Dublin and
Ennis and already tickets have sold out for all the shows. The shows take
place at the end of January into February. Christy
Moore, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine and Liam O'Flynn are the unassuming gang who are suddenly the
hottest tickets in Ireland outselling boy bands like Westlife in the first
hour of ticket sales. U2 reportedly bought up 50 of the tickets to bring
their families to the Vicar Street shows. This not only shows the importance
of this band in the history of Irish music but also that U2 seem to be
bringing their kids up properly. In Clare there were long lines from the
early morning and fans were treated to Coffee and doughnuts courtesy of
the band.
The excitement for these shows is well founded. The effect and influence
that these musicians have had on the evolution and spread of Irish music
cannot be measured. Each of them has brought something to the traditional
music world and then to the wider globe.
Christy Moore has taken the
art of simple heartfelt storytelling in song from the pub to the stadium
and back again.
Andy Irvine has used his love of eastern European music
to add his own unique sound to the genre and has made those sounds part
of our own heritage.
Liam O'Flynn makes the pipes sing and has done so
on his solo albums and soundtracks that have melted into our musical
subconscious.
Donal Lunny has become the man everyone in music wants
to work with and has put together some of the finest groups of musicians
for wonderful projects over the years. His program Sult can still be
seen here in the US on the Ovation Channel for anyone who wants to see
how he brings the best traditional and contemporary musicians in the
world together.
If ticket sales and the thirst to hear this band on
stage again hold any sway with the musicians they will hopefully add
dates and locations to this batch of gigs and do a full nationwide tour.
Then maybe a few international outings if we are very lucky. Already
four more dates were added to Vicar Street due to demand. So cross your
fingers and toes and whatever else it takes. Planxty are back and we
shouldn't let them go again so easily.
When we hear of more show announcements
we will have them right here on JigTime.
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