Shane MacGowan & The Popes (Shane pictured) , THE CHIEFTAINS, SINEAD O’CONNOR, CHUMBAWAMBA, NANCI GRIFFITH, INDIGO GIRLS, LOS LOBOS, JOHN LEE HOOKER and RICHARD THOMPSON are among acts tipped to perform at this year’s American dates of the Guinness Fleadh Festivals.
Expanding from last year’s single weekend event in New York, 1998 sees Fleadh shows in three US cities – New York (June 13-14), Chicago (20) and an as-yet unspecified venue in the San Francisco area (27). The New York event is expected to have a total of 60 acts on different stages over the two days.
A spokeswoman for the Fleadh and its promoters The Mean Fiddler Organisation, says that the lineup for the London Finsbury Park gig on June 6 has not yet been finalised.
Meanwhile, Shane MacGowan And The Popes release a new UK single ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Paddy’ on March 16 – the day before St Patrick’s Day. One of the B-sides will be Shane’s rendition of ‘She Moved Through the Fair’ as heard on the Kilkenny beer TV advert. He has also recorded ‘What’s Another Year’ by Johnny Logan for an album of Eurovision songs which should be out in May.
Shane And The Popes also play a gig at London, Croydon on Wednesday, March 11 (ticket details 0181 688 9291) and will celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a show at Dublin’s The Point.