It's the world’s largest gathering of Rory Gallagher, Rock and Blues fans and now in its 19th year, the birthplace of the Late Great Rory Gallgher of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland will host this renowned 4 day Festival between Thursday 1st June and Sunday 4th June 2023.
The line-up announced includes USA Grammy Nominated artist - ERIC GALES who performed at the Festival in 2022 whipping the crowds into a frenzy with a powerful performance and again will be a must-see guitarists set to perform in Ballyshannon on Friday 2nd June 2023 - Recently Joe Bonamassa heralded Eric Gales saying "Eric, you are the best guitarist in Blues Rock that the world has right now, epic in every way". He gave the compliment after the two guitarists duelled earlier this year in the USA. The Friday night line-up will not be complete without another superb guitarist the multi award winning LAURENCE JONES & HIS BAND. Its been several years since Laurence Jones performed in Ballyshannon so we are excited to have Laurence returning to the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival 2023. Completing the Friday night Big Top line-up on 2nd June 2023 in Ballyshannon will be Dutch Tribute Band - BULLFROG TASTE EXPRESS. We are very pleased to have Bullfrog Taste Express perform for the first time in Ballyshannon and the band includes Bass guitarist - Dave Burns, a very familiar musician to the Rory Gallagher Festival audience as Dave was ever present alongside the Late Tony Dowler so this will be a very appropriate band for us to have in 2023.
Saturday 3rd June 2023 at the Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top will see the arrival of one of the Greatest Rock Guitarists of all time perform - MICHAEL SCHENKER with the MSG. This is a rare and exclusive Irish performance and is set to be an iconic stage moment in the 19 year history of the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon. We are thrilled to have Michael Schenker Group. Festival Director Barry O'Neill has for many years promised and pursued having the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) headline the Festival so this is a dream realised for the organisers, the Festival followers and Michael will raise the roof at the Festival Big Top on Saturday 3rd June 2023. Of course Rory fans will be aware of the many Festival stages that Michael Schenker with Scorpions and UFO that played line-ups with the Late Great Rory Gallagher. And we are all aware of the connection between bands that being the Late Ted McKenna, Rory's drummer and in recent years drummer with the Michael Schenker Group before Ted's sad and untimely passing. Also appearing at the Big Top on Saturday 3rd June 2023 will be another Rock legend and Festival stalwart - PAT McMANUS & HIS BAND - Pat a.k.a The Professor needs no introduction here, the Mama's Boy's legend shot to fame in 1982 when the band released the classic "Needle in the Groove" and later entered the American Billboard Top 100 with the album "Power and Passion". Completing the Big Top Programme on the Saturday Night will be the band that stormed the 2022 Rory Gallagher Festival - ZAC SCHULZE GANG (UK) the energetic trio from Kent emerged on our stages in 2022 and stunned everybody that witnessed this young 3 Piece, reminiscent and possessing the energy of Rory in his early years.
BAND OF FRIENDS led by Rory Gallagher's bass man of some 25 years - Gerry McAvoy and a host of Special Guests will Headline the 2023 Festival Big Top on Sunday 4th June 2022. Gerry and the Band are firm Festival favourites in Ballyshannon and their explosive energy would have Rory smiling down knowing that the Band of Friends continue to honour his legacy. No Rory Gallagher Festival Big Top line-up would be complete without the firm Festival favourite that is JOHNNY GALLAGHER & BOXTIE - the ever popular Bundoran Band never disappoint at the spot where Johnny learned many a School lesson !!! Completing the Sunday night Big Top line-up will be Ireland's finest female Guitarist GRAINNE DUFFY with her equally stellar band that boasts guitarist Paul Sherry.
Now that's a Big Top Festival line-up that will be hard to miss ... if you do ... then just don't !!!
Tickets are now on sale - www.rorygallagherfestival.com/tickets All 3 Nights at the Festival Big Top are now on sale at just €90 for ALL 3 Nights. There are non-stop Free Open air gigs throughout the Award winning 4 day Festival, Busking, Pub Sessions, the Wild Atlantic Way Gigs at the Rory Gallagher Statue, the Rock Hospital Gig, Exhibitions and much more. This is a truly unique experience that has to be enjoyed to be believed !!! All details on Festival Accommodation, Camping, Transport and the Latest Festival Line-up & News are available at www.rorygallagherfestival.com All enquiries by Email to [email protected]