The first visit to Adelaide, The Mary Wallopers took the stage at the Gov following the release of the new album Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll, one of six big shows in Australia presented by Frontier Touring.
Supported by solo artist Blake Cateris from Sydney who started with a song written in lock down that reflects on how people band together or react to world events. Blake is a slightly sassier version of some of the classic Australian songwriters, writing songs with an introspective, serious, and emotional nature. Except for a song about his cat. And then things got meta with a song about being in a band.
Named after a misheard boat, named after a female worker, The Mary Wallopers have a run of sold-out headline shows across Europe. Their humour filled rollicking tunes provide a playful commentary on serious social and world issues. How else do you deal with them?
A band of multi-instrumentalists, the Irish rockers changed swiftly swapped instruments between songs. Usually a seven piece, six members including Charles (guitar and Bodhrán) and Andrew Hendy (banjo/guitar), Sean McKenna (guitar), Finian O’Conner (pipes and whistle), Rosin Barret (bass), and Ken Mooney (drums) graced the stage.
From the first song The Mary Wallopers had the rowdy crowd jumping.
The music showcases the beauty of Irish folk music with a cheeky humour and underlying sincerity with a casualness that is particularly appealing to us Australians. While some bands make simple lines look particularly difficult, these virtuoso musicians do the opposite – play down their impeccable musical ability with a nonchalant prowess. But don’t let them fool you, the group harmonies are absolutely beautiful.
The perfect blend of punk and Irish folk, the music is laced with traditional instruments like the Irish pipes, the whistle and the Bodhrán, backed by one of the sturdiest rhythm sections.
The Mary Wallopers treated the audience to tracks from their new album entitled Irish Rock N Rock including The Blarney Stone, The Holy Ground and Rich Man and the Poor Man. Humour flows through the melodies played with a foot stomping beat. The songs are equal parts poetry, limerick, and song. A few quieter songs in the middle of the set showcased the catchy tunes the Mary Wallopers own. Songs about beer, relationships, and classic punk themes of anti-authoritarianism.
While the songs may be bangers, the banter is such as entertaining. Nothing is more amusing than watching bands make playful jabs at each other before belting out an Irish punk tune about fleas.
Check out The Mary Wallopers new album Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll out now.
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