Roman Candle is thrilled to welcome John Francis Flynn to St Mary's Creative Space, Chester. Special guests Mikey Kenney and Calum Gilligan.

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Saturday 12th February 2021, 7.30PM. Tickets £12 advance from Grey N Pink Records or See Tickets.

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JOHN FRANCIS FLYNN

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Fresh from an exhilarating sold-out show at Whelans in Dublin and a double award-winning appearance at the 2021 RTE Folk Awards, John Francis Flynn today announces his first solo show at Vicar Street, Dublin alongside extensive UK tour dates.

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The newly crowned "Best Singer" and "Best Emerging Artist" at the RTE Folk Awards is set to play the historic Vicar Street venue on May 1st. As John Francis Flynn continues to gather rave reviews at home and abroad this will surely be a show not to be missed. The recent Whelans show saw Flynn and band expand upon the critically acclaimed debut "I Would Not Live Always" with lush, expansive soundscapes and pulsating versions of fan favourites "My Son Tim" and "Lovely Joan".

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John Francis Flynn is a singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work centres around traditional and folk material from Ireland. He is a founding member of the band, Skipper’s Alley, with whom he has toured extensively throughout Europe and America. While supporting Lankum on their 2019 UK tour he caught the eye of Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee who quickly signed John to Rough Trade imprint label, River Lea.

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"His solo flight swoops and soars with the confidence" The Irish Times

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"Folk Album of the Year" Mojo Magazine ****

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“Human experience burns ferociously on this extraordinary debut from the uncompromising Irish artist John Francis Flynn. An extraordinary debut” The Guardian ****

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“Double Tin Whistle and Tape-Loops. Revelatory new takes on English and Irish folk songs in the manner of Sam Amidon. A singular and striking clarity of vision…. An extraordinary debut by any standard” Uncut Magazine ****

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“A simply brilliant debut.” The Irish Mail ****

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“A distinct and innovative debut.” Songlines ****

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Top Ten Album Of The Year
“Immediately evident that he is deserving of the acclaim.” RnR ****

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“Otherworldly and poignant, often hauntingly gripping but always spine-tingling.” Hot Press 9/10

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“I Would Not Live Always is an extraordinary artistic contribution.” Morning Star *****

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MIKEY KENNEY

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“There are some who go to extraordinary lengths to show that they are original and different – kinda like “forcing”rhubarb to make it extra succulent.

A few are just born that way. It’s in their genes and as natural as breathing.

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When one reviewer described Mikey Kenney as “unselfconsciously weird”it was clear they placed him in the latter category. Unconventional is good but there’s nothing really “weird”at all, and too often the “outsider”artist is viewed that way, when all we have in reality is someone incredibly talented carving out a niche of his own.

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Elsewhere, he’s been tagged “a thoughtful soul” and described as making music that is “from the heart for the heart”.

A traditional fiddler held in high regard by his peers, Mikey has a reputation for making quality music and producing wondrous flourishes of superb creativity. A multi-talented and in-demand collaborator, he enjoys the company of others who are well established on the circuit, turning out for instance with The Band of Burns.

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When he isn’t playing fiddle, you might find him with banjo, mandolin or concertina in his hands. He has two feet expertly planted in the folky side of percussion too.

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But it has been his song-writing and vocal style that has possibly made the biggest impression in recent times. Once heard, never forgotten.

Liverpool-based, his playing is redolent in both English and Irish traditions. He also tours with Italian singer-songwriter, Vinicio Capossela, whom he admires.

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Listen to the latest album, The Reverie Road, and you’ll hear a rich diversity of influences. You may be transported to a different time or place. At fRoots, the CD won a 5-star rating and Steve Hunt had this to say: “Mikey Kenney is an artist for whom music is a calling, not a career choice, and this CD represents the work of a singular and inspiring talent…unfettered by expectations of geography or genre, and a wanderer of worlds both seen and invisible, Kenney is an authentic free spirit.”

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CALUM GILLIGAN

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Calum is a songwriter and guitarist from Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, now based in the beating heart of British music, Liverpool. Influenced by the likes of Christie Moore, Paul Brady, Paul Simon, Joan Baez and Woody Guthrie, he plays a subtle blend of Scottish, Irish and American folk music with captivating imagery and the lyrical maturity of a much more experienced songwriter. His guitar playing provides enough intricate melodic accompaniment to his singing that he can easily command a stage and captivate and audience on his own. Calum has been described as a ‘gifted musician, playing the guitar beautifully…’ by Spencer Leigh from the Liverpool Echo, and as ‘… a gifted songwriter with a voice to back it up’ by Folk Radio.