We sit down with Wexford musicians Andrew Berry, Roger McGuire and Rag Doll’s Seamus Kehoe to discuss Saint Patrick’s Day, the live music scene, and post-lockdown audiences…
If you were out at any point over this long Saint Patrick’s Day weekend you most likely heard live music in some shape or form. For the first Patrick’s Day in three years, Irish streets were bursting with lively pub-goers and energetic live music.
Sorely missed over the last few years, live music has long been an integral part of Irish culture, Saint Patrick’s Day and the pub experience.
This Patrick’s Day weekend no one was stuck for choice in Wexford. Whether you wanted to see a Thin Lizzy cover band (aptly named Thinner Lizzy) in the Crown Live or hear your favourite ballads, there was a range of talented performers with something for everyone. I had the pleasure of interviewing three exciting Wexford musicians who graciously took time out of their busy schedule to talk about Patrick’s Day, the revitalized live music scene, and post-lockdown crowds.
Andrew Berry
I met Andrew in The Sailing Cot where you’ll often find him on weekends.
I caught the end of his set and stood out of the way of dancing patrons. Urged on to perform one more song, Andrew relented and this got a great reaction from the crowd. It was great to see people having fun.
How does it feel to be playing live music on St Patrick’s Day for the first time in three years?
‘It’s good. Everyone seems more up for the craic and all. The way it is now is everyone appreciates the music a bit more. It’s hard to describe but it’s more lively anyway. Its good craic.’
How do you find the atmosphere compares from pre-COVID times to now?
‘It’s hard to say because it depends on the night, you know what I mean? Every night is different. Some nights you play to three people. Some nights you play to a packed room like that. In general, people seem more up for the craic. It’s like people have been repressed, sitting at home all day. The alcohol flowing helps with that (laughs). People get more lively.’
As a performer, what’s your favourite part of the live music experience?
‘For me its always the last thirty minutes when it kicks off. You complain all night but then the last thirty minutes people want you to stay for the rest of the night. It’s better to have the crowd enjoying themselves. That’s the main part for me. To see people having fun, that’s why I do it. Everyone seems to be having fun these days so it makes the job worthwhile.’
Is there anything in particular you like about playing in Wexford?
‘Just the people. Everyone knows each other down here so they’re not afraid to have the craic. Everyone’s up for the craic down here, that’s all I know. It’s a good place for playing music. Even up as far as Gorey they look for Wexford Town musicians to play there, maybe there’s something in the water down here.’
Andrew can be found on Facebook and Instagram @andrew_berry_music. He will be playing at The John Barry this Sunday at 9pm and is currently in the process of opening a recording studio.
Roger McGuire
I spoke with Roger over video call the afternoon before his gig in Maggie Mays. In hindsight, this is ironic because a big topic Roger and I discussed was the benefit of using video technology and the internet to provide virtual live music. I had spent St Patrick’s Day 2021 watching Roger play live online so I was eager to ask about this.
How does it feel like to be able to playing on St Patrick’s Day for the first time in three years?
‘I felt like things got back to normal very quickly (with live music) up till Christmas, that knocked us out again. Really the big change has been the restrictions in regard to mask wearing. The change felt like a flick of a switch.’
How do you find the atmosphere compares from pre-COVID times to now?
‘It’s great. The atmosphere is really good. We’re very busy now. There’s pubs frantically looking for people. Venues are at full capacity. We’re back at full swing.’
As a performer, what’s your favourite aspect of the live music experience?
‘The interaction with people. Interaction with the audience is everything. That’s what it’s all about.’
I wanted to ask you about your online live shows on Patreon. I watched your Patrick’s Day online gig last year and really enjoyed it. I remember there being quite a few Wexford people living abroad who tuned into the show and left comments which was lovely. Do you think that one positive of the pandemic was the growth of a virtual live music scene?
‘Absolutely. What’s mad is the technology is inexpensive, it’s at our finger tips and it’s been there for some years. Most of us just never really utilized it. I certainly think that’s a big positive. It’s become a part of my business. I’m still doing a Saturday a month. One of my regular viewers is a lady down in New Zealand. She sent me a text this morning saying Happy Patrick’s Day.’
Roger regularly broadcasts his live shows on his Patreon which you can sign up for here. He also posts his upcoming gigs regularly on Facebook.
Rag Doll
Photo via Rag Doll’s Facebook page.
I met Seamus Kehoe of Rag Doll fame just before his gig in Maggie Mays pub. It was half an hour before the gig was due to start and the pub was well and truly full, bursting with vigour and full of anticipation for Rag Doll’s performance.
How does it feel to be playing live music on St Patrick’s Day for the first time in three years?
‘It’s great. Patrick’s Day would probably be my favourite gig of the year since I started playing music so it’s great to be back. Great to be back in Maggie Mays especially.’
How do you find the atmosphere compares from pre-COVID times to now?
‘The pubs in general are busier. I think people are starting to appreciate the dynamics of the pub scene again, which is great. I came back from Australia in 2015 and I thought that the pub scene was kind of a dying trade but for the last few months since we’ve been back it’s been great, the atmosphere’s been unreal. People seem to be appreciating it a lot more.’
As a performer, what’s your favourite part of the live music experience?
‘Oh the energy with the audience 100%. Its little moments in the night where the whole room is just sync. Its an experience that everybody gets to have together for a short space of time. Its euphoric at times.’
Is there anything in particular you like about playing in Wexford?
‘I’ve played in Cyprus, I’ve played in Australia, I’ve played in London. The thing about Wexford is the connection you have with your own county. You know people’s personalities. I missed playing in Wexford a lot actually when I was away so I suppose it’s that. You can talk about the local goings on and what’s going on around the place.’
Rag Doll have their own Facebook page and Instagram @ragdollwexford. Seamus also wanted to say a big thank you to all the pubs for welcoming live musicians back.
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