Ukulele Hooley Festival 2022 line up

It’s our 11th festival, and we’re really excited that in 2022 we will have an amazing line up of ukulele stars to entertain and inspire you; with both new faces to the festival, and some old friends that have helped us make the festival what it is, joining us for what promises to be a memorable experience for all who attend.

WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING AMAZING LINE-UP

Left Hand Band

Ukulele Hooley is proud to present the iconic, symbolic, explosive and mythical reunion of the Left Hand Band!

The Left Hand Band has been known to draw comparisons to Nirvana… they are also a three piece band. In the early 1990s, the three musicians met in the trivial arts center ‘t Eynde in Belsele. Frederik Goossens, Steph Van Uytvanck and Dirk Van der Speeten are the protagonists of this story.

Frederik discovered the ukulele through his love for old jazz and tin pan alley songs of the 1910s/20s. Steph in turn fell in love with the harmonica and regularly tickles the ivories. He is also a respected singer. Dirk was the band’s third Don Quixote. He learned to play the drum as a child, with brushes in left and right hands. Also on mandola he adds the necessary angles, edges and twists. The three left-handers busked away lustfully for many years. After Steph’s career change (you may also know Steph from his solo work or as a session musician with Hooverphonic, Eli Goffa, Toots Thielemans…, or from ‘Belgium’s got Talent’ and ‘Humo’s Rockrally’), Frederik and Dirk continued with a new band called Winin’ Boys.

What to expect from the Left Hand Band trio reunion? Fine, accessible songs, bathed in a humorous sauce, recognition, trip down memory lane, but above all: great fun to watch and listen!

Moon Berries

Moon Berries are an exhilarating ukulele duo swinging in grandpa’s high-waisted pants.

Charlotte Pelgen and Sage Harrington approach well-loved jazz standards with a gentle reverence, a full set of ukuleles, and a sense of humor, unearthing gems of songs written a lifetime ago while energizing the form with their own songwriting.

Their playful arrangements have caught the attention of perspicacious listeners the world over.

Christopher Davis-Shannon

Christopher Davis-Shannon is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator based in Philadelphia, USA. After spending years traveling the world as a sideman for various acts, he has spent the last five years honing his skills on ukulele as well as sharing his knowledge with others. Davis-Shannon’s festival workshops are frequently standing room-only, bringing with him an energy and mastery of the repertoire, as well as enthusiasm, that can rarely be equalled.

 

Minnie and the Illywhackers

Vintage Ukulele Swing and Good Time Music.

Normally you would have to cruise the clubs of New York and San Francisco for the  pleasure of hearing this vintage Americana sound. However, Minnie and the  Illywhackers have their feet rooted firmly in the Dublin music scene.

Vaudevillian influenced singer and ukulele player Angie McLaughlin draws on the talents of her exSick and Indigent Song Club band mates Shane McGrath (guitar, mandolin),  Christian Volkmann (double bass, harmonica) and Sheila Sullivan (fiddle) to perform her original material. Her songs sit comfortably in their set alongside forgotten classics from the first half of the 20th century.

Echoes of swing, Hawaiian, gospel, jazz and blues are evident in the tunes which are performed with inventive arrangements. McLaughlin is both playful and passionate in her performance and with excellent musicians to back her up The Illywhackers are a truly joyous live experience.

Dublin Ukulele Collective

“… they build an atmosphere as hot as the sunshine.” – Golden Plec

The Dublin Ukulele Collective (DUC) are a 25 piece ukulele harmony band with a high feel-good-factor. Watching DUCs perform, the fun is obvious. Members range in age up to 80 and we perform a diverse repertoire of songs which reflects our age span.

Expect upbeat, fun and rhythmic songs with loads of harmonies and a little nostalgia including songs from; Elbow, Cold Play, The Killers, OneRepublic, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Amy Winehouse, Erasure, Mumford & Sons, Leonard Cohen, Jason Mraz and more. DUC is very much an audience join-in band.

DUC have performed at Electric Picnic, Kaleidoscope, Longitude, Castlepalooza, Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Dalriada Festival, Boyle Arts Festival, Spraoi, The Doggie Doo, Carlow Arts Festival, Dublin Dance Festival, Yulefest Kilkenny, Whelans, Grand Social Club, UkuleleHooley, GNUF, and many more.

DUC have also featured on radio & TV, including RTE’s Ray D’Arcy TV show, TV3’s Irelands Got Talent, TV3’s Ireland AM, 2FM’s Nicky Byrne Show, Newstalk Radio’s Sean Moncrieff show and RTE1’s Ray D’Arcy radio show.

GoldenPlec, Sine McGoff, September 6th, 2018  On Sunday morning people stumble out of their tents a little worse for wear….But it’s not all over yet folks and some of the best are yet to come… By half one, a crowd has gathered around the Trailer Park stage to admire the care free, high spirited Dublin Ukulele Collective. The incredibly diverse, self-proclaimed “feel-good” group of over 35 members have mustered more energy and enthusiasm than the rest of Electric Picnic put together. As they fly through their set of all time classics, including Fix You, Counting Stars and All These Things That I have Done, they build an atmosphere as hot as the sunshine.

Irish Examiner, Joyce Fegan, September 3rd, 2018  …. there was everything from the major headliners such as The Prodigy, Kendrick Lamar, and N.E.R.D., to the Dublin Ukulele Collective …. The Dublin Ukulele Collective’s set yesterday was representative of the festival’s vibe, with a five-year-old girl pulled from the chock-a-block crowd to lead a rendition of ‘Counting Stars’ with her tambourine….

THE UKULELE UFF TRIO

The Ukulele Uff Trio is comprised of Chris ‘Ukulele’ Uff on ukulele, Dave Searson on guitar and ‘Brother’ Bill Leach on Hawaiian guitar. They specialise in obscure and wonderful 1920s/30s jazz, Tin Pan Alley songs and traditional Hawaiian music, performed with a skill and authenticity that is rare today.

The trio started as all good trios do, as a duo. Uff and Dave first met while still at school in Liverpool, where a mutual interest in music led to the formation of various musical projects, mainly with Uff on bass and Dave on drums or guitar. When Uff discovered the ukulele there was no stopping him. He practised day and night for years developing his own original style, until he felt ready to unleash his talents upon the world. Dave in the meantime had honed his technique of ragtime and swing guitar. Uff and Dave appeared on the ukulele scene overnight, when footage from their debut performance in a variety show at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall was uploaded to YouTube to much acclaim in 2012. Since then their high energy, skilled playing and relaxed stage presence has earned them a reputation as top entertainers around the World.

In 2014 Uff and Dave teamed up with lap steel virtuoso ‘Brother’ Bill Leach, who brought with him hair raising renditions of jazz age Hawaiian classics and beautiful traditional melodies brought over from his native Runcorn.

Fitting in perfectly with Uff and Dave’s nimble finger work, the group now sound better than ever! Towards the end of the year they released their first CD to much acclaim.

“This joyous string band swing like the proverbial hairy clappers and are guaranteed to gladden the hearts of all but the most dedicated of miserable begrudgers. Vo do de o, vo doe doe de o, doe!” fROOTS Magazine.

“their mix of skiffle and 1930s jazz was unbelievable to watch. Uff plays and slaps that uke with no speed I’ve ever seen before ….Definitely one of my favourite acts of the weekend ” Louder Than War. http://louderthanwar.com/hold-underneath-stars-festival-barnsley-live-review

“Have seen these guys twice now and both times they didn’t just get a standing ovation, they got a standing-on-chairs ovation.” Matt Warnes editor of UKE MAGAZINE http://worldofukes.co.uk/

Ukulele Tuesday

Ukulele Tuesday is the gigging offshoot of The Stag’s Head’s weekly ukulele session of the same name. They are a lively bunch, who mash-up contemporary and classic hits, and take the ukulele into uncharted waters. Guaranteed to melt some faces.

UkuHooligans

UkuHooligans is Dun Laoghaire’s Ukulele Club which was establised in 2008 to enable ukulele players get together. It evolved into a weekly meetup for ukulele players in Dun Laoghaire and surrounding areas.

We meet every Saturday morning at the Eblana Club on Eblana Avenue Dun Laoghaire to play ukulele, jam together and share songs. It’s a great opportunity to meet other enthusiasts in a friendly and social setting. Anyone with an interest in playing, learning or just having fun with the ukulele is welcome (no matter where you’re from!)

Hot Dots

Nora Artola and Shane McGrath have been playing music together since 2012. They have a sweet, old-time sound with intricate instrumental arrangements and close harmonies. Their repertoire consists of lesser-known songs and some standards from the 1920’s through to the 1950’s. Tin Pan Alley pop songs, Honky Tonk duets, Old Timey fiddle tunes, Country Rags, Hawaiian love songs and swing ballads.

The Hot Dots have played residencies in The Hacienda Bar, MVP and Fegan’s 1924 in Dublin City Centre. They have performed at events as diverse as a Fashion Show on South Williams Street, a family day open air event in Killruddery House and Gardens and the Ukulele Hooley. They also work together very regularly facilitating Ukulele workshops in The Ark, cultural centre for children and at various schools, festivals and events.

RUGS

Following on from their acclaimed pop-up performances at the 2022 Forever Young Festival, RUGS (Rathfarnham Ukulele Group) are delighted to bring their blend of foot-stomping tunes to the 11th Ukulele Hooley by the Sea.

From humble beginnings in Sheilagh Fox’s kitchen, RUGs weekly ukulele session now has up to 80 ukers jamming together on a Monday night. The group has a wonderful community spirit, with monthly performances in Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. In addition RUGS has been involved in supporting organisations such as the Samaritans, Special Olympics Ireland, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, LauraLynn, Unicef Ireland and HIV Ireland.

The off-shoot RUGs Performance Group has been slowly building a loyal fan base over the past few years, with performances at Bloom, the Cobh Ukulele Festival, Darkness into Light, Battle for the Bay and most recently the Forever Young Festival. Their setlist includes a diverse range of covers from Snow Patrol, American Authors and George Ezra to David Bowie, Marc Almond, and The Beatles – all performed with our own unique RUGs twist.

For many of the group, the ukulele odyssey began at the Hooley so it’s an absolute pleasure to return to the Main Stage.

Skerries Ukulele Strummers

Skerries Ukulele Strummers was the brainchild of Ray McCarthy who brought his experience of Ukulele Groups to Skerries and set up S.U.S.in 2013. The group has grown over the years to a current membership of over 50.  Many of our members travel from the neighbouring towns of Donabate, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Balrothery & Bettystown. Members add variety to our performance by playing the banjolele, mouth organ, tambourine & bass.

Performing at fund raising gigs, concerts and charity events, SUS have a full calendar for the Summer 2022 with performances at Ukulele Hooley Festival, Skerries Community Centre celebrations, Rush Harbour Festival, Rush Scouts and The Bleeding Pig Festival in Donabate. Members also play in the local nursing homes bringing much enjoyment and happiness to residents.

Music is so good for the soul.

Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson began playing ukulele in the 1950s. He appeared in the first Ukulele Hooley in 2009, and has played bass in The Ukeristic Congress and in Aisling Out Walking.

RWC

In February 2020, the best possible time to start a new live performing act, a German, a Frenchie, an Italian and a Portuguese walked into a pub and formed a band. No joke, this group of mischievous music makers are hell bent on bringing good mood and great tunes to the island of Ireland. You’ll be surprised how much ukuleles can rock, and their harmonies will leave you wanting more.

RWC will be performing on our Saturday Stage ‘Eblana Cabana’ at the Eblana Festival Club HQ.

Almost Pi

Almost Pi are Darren, Joh and Seán. They performed for the first time together at the 2019 Ukulele Hooley! They headlined Whelan’s in April 2022 at The Night of Too Many Ukuleles.

They combine a number of different musical styles in their quest to bring ukulele music to strange, new places. Recently, they have been joined by Jenny, who has helped them square their musical circle.

Almost Pi will be performing on our Saturday Stage ‘Eblana Cabana’ at the Eblana Festival Club HQ.

Sage Harrington

Sage Harrington is an inventive, playful singer and songwriter in love with swing music. Hailing from the USA, you can hear her deep love and appreciation of both jazz and American folk genres in her ukulele playing and singing. With a voice informed by the smooth vocal precision of Alison Krauss and the passionate swing of the great Ella Fitzgerald, Sage will have you singing along not only with the catchy gems of the 1920s, but also to the sweepingly beautiful melodies of her own compositions.

For over a decade she’s been a clear, thoughtful, and gentle ukulele guide, leading fun and compelling music lessons one-on-one and in group workshops. While it’s difficult for her to shake off the “self-taught” part of her identity as a recording engineer—she’s recorded and mixed many albums of her own and her friend’s music—last year she moved to Europe where she completed an all-consuming graduate-level music production and recording program.

Sage is one half of the duo Moon Berries with ukulele player and singer extraordinaire Charlotte Pelgen.

Elena Duff

Elena Duff is a visual artist turned musician from Dublin but now living in the wilds of Cavan. Her late-blossoming musical career started with the purchase of a ukulele. She soon started writing her own songs and later delved into learning audio and music production so she could record her music. She has released a number of singles including an EP of ukulele-focused tracks called ‘In the Beginning…’

Elena will be performing on our Saturday Stage ‘Eblana Cabana’ at the Eblana Festival Club HQ.

Corinne Finnan

Corinne has been treading the musical boards for a few decades now in various guises! Originally found playing six strings in a guitar duo, then solo guitar and vocals in pubs and folk clubs, she began her ukulele career in 2010 playing uke rock, blues and soul and performing vocals with the Nantwich band, the N’Ukes.

Since 2015 she has been part of the six, now five- piece band Rebuked, continuing in the same musical vein with a bit of reggae and indie thrown in. She has played solo uke spots on main stages at the Ukulele Festival of Wales, the Summer Strum, Parbulele, Strum Like A Pirate Day and the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival. She adds some gentle singer/songwriter numbers into the mix, but there will always be blues!

Corinne will be performing on our Saturday Stage ‘Eblana Cabana’ at the Eblana Festival Club HQ.

Mikey O Malley

Mikey O Malley is a singer-songwriter from Ratoath, Co. Meath, Ireland. His music is a unique style of Irish-Hawaiian folk with original, personal, and poetic lyrics. His main instruments are the ukulele, guitar and piano and he self-accompanies with percussion. He is influenced by artists like Ed Sheeran, Dermot Kennedy, Passenger and Lewis Capaldi. He was a busker and played in small venues in Ireland before moving to America in 2017. He then played many bars, festivals, and college events in Washington before moving to Cleveland, Ohio where he has featured in several showcases and played many small venues. He has recently returned to Ireland after playing in Washington breweries. His most notable performance to date came at Wild Fest 2019 where he played as a support act for Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers. There were over 2,000 people in attendance at this festival. Tom Stockdale (YouTube personality with 347k subscribers) had this to say about his music, “I love the delivery! I’m a big fan of telling a story in a song. You’ve got a new fan in me my friend!”

The Sunday Stage

Sunday 28th August, in the People’s Park, performers take to the stage

Join us in the People Park, Dun Laoghaire, for the main performance event of the festival, on Sunday 28th August.

Proceedings kick-off before midday – 11:30am.

We will be continuing our tradition of presenting talented ukulele performers and groups from around the world.

Big Hooley Jam

A must for ukulele players – grab your uke and come along to be part of the “The Big Jam @ The Hooley“!

Festival Raffle

Try your luck in our ever popular Ukulele Hooley festival raffle, with some fabulous ukulele related prizes to win.

Retail Therapy

Check out our ukulele merchandise and instrument stalls, to find that perfect gift for you or the ukulele people in your life.

Relax in the Park

Relax in Dún Laoghaire’s magnificent People’s Park, a beautifully landscaped oasis of calm, enhanced with the sounds of ukuleles.

Children’s/Beginner’s Workshop

Children’s Workshop will at the Eblana Avenue Festival HQ, Saturday 27th August.

Uke Factor Competition

Enjoy the ‘Uke Factor‘ competition winners, performing on the festival Sunday stage. Such a treat to experience the talent of the future.