Band of Friends - The Rory Gallagher Band - Plus Special Gurst Support Jim Kirkpatrick

TWO AMAZING JANUARY MATINEE SHOWS WITH GERRY McAVOY AND BAND OF FRIENDS

Featuring Gerry McAvoy, Brendan O'Neill and the outstanding Davy Knowles
With very special guest support: Jim Kirkpatrick — FM guitarist and former sideman to Bernie Marsden
Monday and Tuesday at Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre
Doors 12.30pm • Finish 4pm

Some music belongs to a particular moment. Rory Gallagher's music still sounds as though it could kick the door down tomorrow. Passionate, fearless and steeped in the blues, it was powered by something that went far beyond one extraordinary guitarist: the chemistry of a band who could follow him anywhere.

This January, Band of Friends return to Barnoldswick for two intimate afternoon celebrations of that remarkable musical legacy, bringing together two musicians who helped create the Gallagher sound and a guitarist with the talent, feeling and fire to carry it forward.

Gerry McAvoy was fundamental to the sound of Rory Gallagher. For twenty years, from 1971 to 1991, his bass provided the foundation beneath Rory's astonishing guitar work. Listen to those records and you hear a musical conversation: Gerry answering a phrase, tightening the groove, pushing the momentum and knowing instinctively when to leave space. His muscular, melodic playing gave Rory both an anchor and the freedom to take flight. Their partnership helped make Gallagher's band one of the most formidable live outfits of its generation.

Brendan O'Neill's contribution deserves just as much recognition. Rory's drummer from 1981 to 1991, Brendan played on Jinx, Defender and Fresh Evidence, bringing drive, swing and a deep understanding of the blues to Gallagher's later sound. His strength lay in combining sheer power with sensitivity, keeping the music moving while responding to every twist in Rory's playing. Together, Brendan and Gerry formed the engine room of that band: a rhythm section with the confidence and musical understanding to turn a guitar solo into a thrilling collective performance.

That is what makes seeing these two musicians together so special. They know how this music breathes. They know where it should pull back, where it should surge and how a seemingly simple blues groove can become something explosive. Decades of shared experience come through in the smallest details: a glance, an accent, a change of pace, the instinctive response that makes a band sound utterly connected.

Taking on the guitar and vocal duties is Davy Knowles — an exceptional musician whose reputation reaches far beyond his years. First making his mark with Back Door Slam, the Isle of Man guitarist has developed into a commanding singer, songwriter and performer. Joe Satriani has called him "My favorite modern Bluesman", while Peter Frampton described him as "the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century." Praise like that comes from musicians who know precisely what great guitar playing demands.

Davy has the technique to dazzle, but it is his feel that makes the deepest impression. The bite of a bent note, the space between phrases, the sudden rush from a simmering blues passage into a blazing solo — he understands how to make a guitar speak. Add a powerful, soulful voice and you have a performer capable of giving these songs the emotional weight they deserve. His admiration for Gallagher is clear, and his own musical personality makes the combination with Gerry and Brendan especially exciting.

In Barnoldswick's intimate listening room, every detail matters. You can hear the bass moving beneath the guitar, feel the drums gathering force and watch the communication between three musicians who know how to build a performance from the inside out. This is music made for close quarters: raw, expressive and full of life.

Gerry remains a wonderfully engaging presence on stage, drawing the audience into the performance with the warmth and enthusiasm of someone who still loves every minute of it. Alongside Brendan's authority behind the kit and Davy's exhilarating guitar work, he helps turn the afternoon into a shared celebration of songs that continue to mean so much to so many.

Opening both matinees will be the superb Jim Kirkpatrick, best known as lead guitarist with British melodic rock favourites FM and for his long association with the much-loved Bernie Marsden. An accomplished blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jim combines rich tone, expressive slide playing and beautifully judged phrasing with the confidence of a seasoned performer. His years working alongside Bernie place him firmly within that great British blues-rock tradition, making him a perfect choice to open these shows — and a compelling reason to arrive early and enjoy the whole afternoon.

Rory Gallagher's legacy lives wherever the blues is played with heart, courage and conviction. His music continues to inspire because it carries the same honesty, humanity and fearless energy that made his performances so compelling. With Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill carrying the musical memories they helped create, Davy Knowles bringing his exceptional fire and feeling, and Jim Kirkpatrick setting the afternoon in motion, that spirit remains wonderfully alive. These two Barnoldswick matinees will celebrate the enduring power of Rory's music and the joy of hearing it played with the passion it deserves. Book your tickets now and join us for two unforgettable afternoons of blues, soul and guitar magic.