Irish Rock band, BLAGGARDS, plays Hibernia Friday, Aug 9. Gene Reid Band will open 7 PM. Cover $10

Blaggards, the best-of-the-best touring Irish Rock bands in the world is bringing their own inimitable style of Celtic Hard Rock from Houston, Texas, to Little Rock's Hibernia Irish Tavern Friday, August 9 with Gene Reid Band opening at 7:00 PM. Cover $10
BLAGGARDS:
Internationally known, the Irish Rock band Blaggards, formed July 2004 in Houston, Texas.
Blaggards plays "Stout Irish Rock" - traditional Irish music mixed with Rock n' Roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. They are most frequently compared to bands like Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, and the Pogues. Blaggards released their latest album BLAGMATIC in July 2021, and their latest single release "Come Out Ye Black and Tans" hit streaming services in 2022. The members of Blaggards are lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Devlin and bassist/vocalist Chad Smalley, featuring Kevin Newton on drums.
Front man Patrick Devlin grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and tended bar in Irish pubs and music venues for years before starting his first band. From his perspective behind the bar, he realized there was a demand for Irish Rock music that nobody was fulfilling. Devlin brings soaring electric guitar solos with driving Rock rhythms as well as gentle, heart wrenching anthems to the stage with his powerful vocals, Irish wit, and earthy sense of humor.
In 2003, while hosting a weekly open mic at an Irish pub, Patrick met bassist and singer Chad Smalley, a veteran of the Houston music scene who had just returned from New York City. The two of them soon began singing and performing together, developing a tight vocal harmony style. Smalley brings rock solid bass playing to the stage along with expert backup and occasional lead vocals.
Joining Blaggards as their newest member, drummer Kevin "Turbo" Newton brings over two decades of experience touring with punk bands Pummel and The Easy Kill. Not only a great musician, Turbo is also an energetic performer whose dedicated mindset has breathed new life into everything the band does.
Blaggards evokes the spirit of Irish Independence as well as lamentations on senseless wars as well as tender Irish ballads mixed in with their high energy Rock repertoire. They maintain a rigorous schedule, playing constantly throughout Texas and touring nationally several times a year. Blaggards has also toured Ireland every year since 2010.
Do not miss this unique ensemble of professional musicians when they play near you.

GENE REID BAND:
Gene Reid Band does original Country Rock and Blues fusion with a little Reggae thrown in. Gene Reid grew up in Northeast Arkansas where his first job was picking cotton at the age of eight. He asked for a guitar for his seventeenth birthday and was playing with his first band a year later. Through schools, the US Navy, changing careers and life challenges, Gene has been persistent in his pursuit of music through singing, songwriting, and lead guitar (sometimes referred to as, "Triple Threat"). Gene joined forces with Wightman Harris and Debbie Robinson in 2021 to play some of Gene's original songs for a fundraiser to benefit a fellow musician facing catastrophic medical expenses. That union led to "Ghosts and Redheads," an album with two award winning songs and a music video, "The Ghost of Orval Faubus," that has won or been selected for show in twelve film festivals since its release in April 2023. Gene's lyrics frequently contain social commentary, political criticism and reflections on the human condition as well as spiritual musings, fun songs, love songs and singalongs.
Camden, Arkansas native son Wightman Harris has long been involved in the Arkansas music scene. He was road manager and bass player for the late great Bluesman, Michael Burks and also plays guitar and sings both lead and backup vocals. He has also founded and lead many bands, including his current Rock/Americana band, the Arkadelics. Wightman is currently co-producing a monthly Blues jam at the legendary Vapors Lounge in Hot Springs, Arkansas and continues to support and offer leadership to the local Blues communities of Arkansas.
Debbie "Debo" Robinson is a veteran of the Little Rock music scene, having played drums with the now-iconic Country Rock band, Spare Change for twenty-one years. Debo brings solid, rock-steady drumming to every song she plays. Drummers who come to watch her perform frequently pepper her with praise and questions about her playing style. She also brings her own fan club as many of her friends and fans show up wearing black tee shirts that say, "Debo's Fan Club." A star athlete in college and beyond, Debo was inducted into the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame in June of 2024.

Category: Live Music | Concert