Rory Gallagher Acoustic performed by Gerry McAvoy & Band of Friends - A matinee Special

This is set to be a truly special afternoon matinee at Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre — and one that feels destined to become part of the venue's folklore. For the very first time, two original members of Rory Gallagher's band, Gerry McAvoy and Brendan O'Neill, join forces with guitar and vocal powerhouse Davy Knowles for a rare and deeply intimate acoustic performance celebrating the life, music and enduring legacy of the late, great Rory Gallagher. Stripped right back to bare wood, wire and soul, this exclusive show will see the trio reimagine some of Rory's classic songs in raw acoustic form, while also sharing first-hand stories and memories from the road with one of the most influential, revered and loved guitarists of all time. This is not just a concert — it is an up-close encounter with the spirit, fire and humanity of Rory Gallagher, told by the men who lived it. A genuine Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre exclusive, and one certain to leave a lasting mark on every soul in the room.

Gerry McAvoy is widely regarded as one of the greatest bass players ever to grace the blues-rock stage, and for over two decades he was the heartbeat of Rory Gallagher's band. Joining Rory in 1970, McAvoy's driving, melodic bass lines became a defining force behind classic albums such as Live in Europe, Irish Tour '74 and Calling Card. More than just a sideman, he was Rory's longest-serving musical partner — a constant presence through relentless global touring, bringing power, groove and deep musical intuition to every performance. His playing is revered for its feel, precision and unmistakable chemistry with Rory, and his stories from those years offer a rare, authentic window into the life and legacy of a true guitar legend.

Brendan O'Neill was Rory Gallagher's drummer through much of the 1980s, joining the band in 1981 and helping to drive Rory's live and studio sound during a powerful later chapter of his career. A Belfast-born drummer with tremendous force, feel and musical instinct, O'Neill brought both finesse and fire to Rory's band, playing on key releases from that era and becoming one of the most trusted musicians in Gallagher's inner circle. His drumming could be thunderous when the music demanded it, yet always had the swing, sensitivity and control that Rory's songs required. After leaving Rory's band, O'Neill went on to join Nine Below Zero alongside Gerry McAvoy, but it is his years on the road with Gallagher that place him at the very heart of this story — making him one of the few musicians able to offer a genuine first-hand insight into the man, the music and the sheer intensity of life alongside one of blues-rock's most revered figures.

Davy Knowles represents the next chapter in the lineage — a modern blues torchbearer whose playing carries the unmistakable DNA of Rory Gallagher while forging its own powerful identity. Hailing from the Isle of Man, Knowles first gained international acclaim with Back Door Slam before embarking on a solo career that has seen him share stages with legends such as Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton and Joe Satriani. Praised for his soulful voice and expressive, fluid guitar work, he has earned a reputation as one of the finest contemporary blues-rock artists of his generation. In this unique setting, Knowles doesn't just perform the music — he channels the spirit of it, bridging past and present with a reverence and fire that makes this collaboration something truly special.

Rory Gallagher remains one of the most revered and influential guitarists in the history of blues and rock — a musician whose legacy continues to burn brightly decades after his passing. Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal in 1948 and raised in Cork, Ireland, Rory first came to prominence in the mid-1960s as the driving force behind the power trio Taste, a band that captured international attention with their explosive live performances, including a standout appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970. Following Taste's breakup, Rory embarked on a solo career that would cement his reputation as one of the most authentic and hard-working artists of his generation.

Throughout the 1970s, Gallagher built a formidable following through relentless touring and a string of critically acclaimed albums including Rory Gallagher, Deuce, Blueprint, Tattoo and the seminal live recording Irish Tour '74, widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums ever made. Refusing to chase commercial trends, Rory remained fiercely independent, turning down major opportunities — including an invitation to join The Rolling Stones — in favour of staying true to his blues roots. His raw, passionate playing style, deeply influenced by the likes of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and Lead Belly, combined with his relentless work ethic, earned him the admiration of peers such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

Through the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Rory continued to tour the world tirelessly, delivering intense, sweat-soaked performances that became the stuff of legend. Despite declining health in his later years, he remained committed to his music and his audience, never losing the fire and honesty that defined his career. In 1995, following complications after a liver transplant, Rory Gallagher passed away at the age of just 47. Yet his influence endures — not only in the countless guitarists he inspired, but in the timeless recordings and the spirit of integrity, passion and dedication that continue to define what it truly means to be a blues musician.