Month: February 2015

Arthur Johnstone is the special and always very welcome guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 4th March. Arthur has been playing in Irvine for a wheen of years. In 1974 Arthur was appearing at The Eglinton Arms as part of the talented band Laggan. He is a fine solo singer and it’s testament to his talent and deserved popularity that he continues to be in demand.

It’s Arthur’s fine voice, warm charisma plus large doses of humanity and humour that remain his strengths. When bringing Arthur to mind, people tend to recall him with arms folded, his voice filling the room with songs like The Tinkerman’s Daughter, Bandiera Rosa, Freedom Come All Ye, Your Daughters and Your Sons…. the list goes on.

Glasgow’s Star Folk Club was founded by Arthur and for many years he was the organiser. He has also worked in the theatre. He did the music in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart. A play about being born into poverty, Arthur’s singing punctuated each scene and significantly contributed to an acclaimed production.

Arthur appeared at the recent Celtic Connections. The title of the gig was Arthur Johnstone and Friends and there was no shortage of Friends – on stage or in the audience! He is admired by many and has inspired many of today’s current generation. When Arthur appeared last at the Irvine Club he was with The Stars Band. The man is in much demand.

Get along to Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 4th March and enjoy Arthur Johnstone. Irvine Folk Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road. The Club starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

The AGM of Irvine Folk Club will be held in Vineburgh Community Centre on March 11th at 7.30pm.
All members welcome.

Kieran Halpin

Kieran Halpin is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February and that puts it in the ‘unmissable’ category. The man with the passionate, gravelly voice is back.

A career that started in 1974, with 20 albums to his name, thousands of gigs played at venues all over the world, a prolific songwriter of great quality are the key musical facts about Mr Halpin. What the facts don’t tell you is his continuing search for new approaches to present his songs nor does it describe the powerful nature of a live Kieran Halpin performance. This unassuming man has an easy stage presence and a wry sense of humour and he connects with his audience so very well.

Kieran plays acoustic guitar, regales the audience with explanations of where each song comes from and links it all together with some very funny asides. He is a man of very, dry wit. His thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies can make you think, laugh or cry. Numbers like ‘Nothing to show for it all’, ‘Berlin Calling’, Closing time in Paradise’ are some of his songs that come to mind.

Kieran Halpin has played on a number of occasions at the Irvine Club. He is always invited back because he is such a unique writer and performer. Kieran is also one of the hardest working artists with upwards of 160 gigs each year with all the travelling that entails and still he finds time to write songs. His 21st album will be launched on St Valentine’s Day at the Davy Lamp in Washington and then he takes off for Germany for a long tour.

It would be a mistake to miss Kieran Halpin at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Finally, David Todd of Greenwood Academy won the North Ayrshire Traditional Musician of the Year award last week. The award which is competed for annually, was donated by Irvine Folk Club. David plays the Bagpipes. It was an excellent evening, hosted by Irvine Folk Club and organised by North Ayrshire Council’s Music Service. Congratulations David. It is worth adding that Irvine Burns club put up a Quaich in the name of the late Joe Caldwell for competition at the Young Trad event. As many will recall, Joe was ‘mine host’ at The Eg where Irvine Folk Club started.