BlackwaterWow, been a long time since I posted a blog on here -- obviously, was the last Buffalo Irish Fest! Narf...
This year was much more compact than last year -- same number of stages (4) but all were indoor/partially-indoor stages, which was welcome given that it was a friggin' hot August day on Saturday (one of the few real summer days this year). There weren't as many international acts this year (The Saw Doctors) were the only one based in Ireland, I think) but there was some great talent nonetheless. Liz Carroll and John Doyle, along with Bua were in from Chicago, Blackwater from northeast Pennsylvania, Seven Nations from Orlando, and a bunch off other stateside bands. Carroll and Doyle were friggin' incredible; the acoustics in the trad stage (the "Smithwicks stage" -- all the stages this year were obviously sponsored by Harp brand beers); The Prodigals were very fun -- awesome accordion, and the bassist was sick; the Clann na Cara irish stepdance school was the only one we got to see, and they were fun. Local bands seen: Almost Seamus and The Leftovers.
Overall, liked the changes this year. The new Comhaltas-sponsored traditional-music stage was really cool, and I loved the fact that the dining area was more open than last years (less flies, too!) and most importantly that the dining was located in the local music stage area. So you could actually watch a band while eating dinner! Awesome. The Leftovers were playing, so we got piped in to dinner...:) The corned beef (Jess's) was awesome, and the Shepherd's pie was okay, but not incredible...it was hearty, but the potatoes were pretty weak and the gravy wasn't as well-spiced as that served at the Shannon Pub (who do most of the catering for the fest). Sound in the local stage area wasn't great--a little too rec-hall-ish, but the band did a good job all the same.
Another great thing this year -- beer served INSIDE the stage venues! You still needed tickets rather than plain cash (a matter of security, I dig) but the convenience of having beer available without leaving the stage area makes for a much more pleasurable experience. The breadth of brews is also a plus at this festival -- all the Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks, and such, as well as the Labatts, etc.
And the Shannon Pub bus from the Niagara County border makes a great commuting option -- three bucks for a shuttle across nearly all of Erie County to get to the Hamburg Fairgrounds RULES!
So needless to say, loved the fest. Sad to miss the Amherst Scottish fest this year (had a wedding to attend the same day, sadly)--my friend Leslie's band was playing, too! Ah well. Wedding year is making festivals difficult to attend!
This year was much more compact than last year -- same number of stages (4) but all were indoor/partially-indoor stages, which was welcome given that it was a friggin' hot August day on Saturday (one of the few real summer days this year). There weren't as many international acts this year (The Saw Doctors) were the only one based in Ireland, I think) but there was some great talent nonetheless. Liz Carroll and John Doyle, along with Bua were in from Chicago, Blackwater from northeast Pennsylvania, Seven Nations from Orlando, and a bunch off other stateside bands. Carroll and Doyle were friggin' incredible; the acoustics in the trad stage (the "Smithwicks stage" -- all the stages this year were obviously sponsored by Harp brand beers); The Prodigals were very fun -- awesome accordion, and the bassist was sick; the Clann na Cara irish stepdance school was the only one we got to see, and they were fun. Local bands seen: Almost Seamus and The Leftovers.
Overall, liked the changes this year. The new Comhaltas-sponsored traditional-music stage was really cool, and I loved the fact that the dining area was more open than last years (less flies, too!) and most importantly that the dining was located in the local music stage area. So you could actually watch a band while eating dinner! Awesome. The Leftovers were playing, so we got piped in to dinner...:) The corned beef (Jess's) was awesome, and the Shepherd's pie was okay, but not incredible...it was hearty, but the potatoes were pretty weak and the gravy wasn't as well-spiced as that served at the Shannon Pub (who do most of the catering for the fest). Sound in the local stage area wasn't great--a little too rec-hall-ish, but the band did a good job all the same.
Another great thing this year -- beer served INSIDE the stage venues! You still needed tickets rather than plain cash (a matter of security, I dig) but the convenience of having beer available without leaving the stage area makes for a much more pleasurable experience. The breadth of brews is also a plus at this festival -- all the Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks, and such, as well as the Labatts, etc.
And the Shannon Pub bus from the Niagara County border makes a great commuting option -- three bucks for a shuttle across nearly all of Erie County to get to the Hamburg Fairgrounds RULES!
So needless to say, loved the fest. Sad to miss the Amherst Scottish fest this year (had a wedding to attend the same day, sadly)--my friend Leslie's band was playing, too! Ah well. Wedding year is making festivals difficult to attend!
