Michael McGovern & his band. Sunday, 18th October

Clonmel World Music Proudly Presents :

Michael McGovern (Scotland)

Sunday 18th October

Jerry Moynihans Clonmel

Clonmel World Music is delighted to welcome the Michael Mcgovern band to Clonmel. Glasgow-born singer-songwriter Michael McGovern blends poetic lyricism with folk roots, evolving beyond his acclaimed debut Highfield Suite. Michael will be on an extensive european tour, taking in the Netherlands, The UK and  Ireland, including main room shows in Whelans Dublin and Dolans Limerick.

His new album Thin White Road showcases full-band arrangements, literary influences, and viral single ‘Evelyn‘, cementing him as a compelling new contemporary folk voice. Michael’s poetic lyrics and fingerpicked nylon-string guitar craft a deeply emotional folk sound.While honouring Michael’s classic fingerpicking style and impressive vocal range, this album expands sonically with full band arrangements, lush vocal harmonies, saxophone, and strings.

His debut album, Highfield Suite (2021), recorded during isolation in 2020 and produced by Bill Shanley. The album received critical acclaim in both the UK and in Ireland, including BBC Radio album of the week, RTE Lyric album of the week, 8/10 in Hot Press Magazine and 5/5 Irish Music Magazine. The album was also endorsed by BBC Introducing Scotland and Wales, and by folk music legend Paul Brady, “I love it, what an unexpected gem.” Since its release, Michael joined Mary Black on a sold out tour of Ireland, and has spent 2022 touring in the UK and Europe, including a sold out full band show in his hometown, and two memorable festival performances at HebCelt and Belladrum.

Michael’s live shows are celebrated for their emotional impact and warmth. Thin White Road confirms him as one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary folk. Michael’s signature sound is nylon guitars and wide vocal harmonies, which can be found all over the album, tipping its hat to some of his major influences, like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen.

Reviews

“I love it! What an unexpected gem!”- Paul Brady

“The songs are visionary, beautiful and refuse to be beaten down by the world; exactly the tonic

that is needed.”- Liverpool Sound and Vision

“I’m totally besotted with him!”- Marty Whelan, RTE Radio

He writes as an old soul and as someone who has a deep sense of craft of songwriting and of melody and harmony. I’d place Michael squarely with the likes of Leonard Cohen, John Hiatt and Ron Sexsmith. He’s that good!” – Doug Cox, Vancouver Island Music Festival

His beautiful voice, incredible guitar playing and wonderful songwriting were matched only by his completely lovely demeanor and he won our audience over immediately! His joy-filled performance was so irresistible, he had nearly everyone singing along with him.”- Lisa Schwartz, Cambridge Folk Festival