James Yorkston and Cian Finn join the John Martyn Tribute Festival line up

James Yorkston and Cian Finn make exciting new additions to the second ever John Martyn Tribute Festival that is taking place in Thomastown, Co Killkenny on Saturday September 15 and Sunday September 16.

Scottish singer songwriter James Yorkston is a huge John Martyn fan and was honoured to support him on tour over ten years ago

"When John's management offered me the tour, back in 2001, it was a real surprise. I'd only asked for one show - at Edinburgh Liquid Rooms - and I was in no way prepared for 30 dates. I only had 6 or 7 songs I was confident enough to play solo, and had only done one solo show beforehand, supporting Bert Jansch. But there was no way I could turn the tour down - I was 30 years old and doing music for a living was what I'd been working towards my entire adult life, and dreaming about for much of my childhood. It was a real baptism of fire but worth every sleepless night and every grinding hangover”

Yorkston was picked up by Laurence bell of Domino Records during John Martyn’s tour and is now signed to Domino who have just released his 7th album “I was a Cat from a book”.

Fresh from Electric Picnic, Galway native Cian Finn is currently working on his first debut album. He was a founding member of Irish reggae group Intinn. He has featured both live and in the studio with world renowned traditional Irish group De Danann.

Finn is also a fan of John Martyn and met him before his passing,

“I met John a few years ago; he was a friend of my Dad’s and came to a party in Galway with his partner Teresa. He played some songs and I played some reggae tunes. John gave me a couple of reggae CD’s he’d picked up in the Caribbean. I think they definitely influenced some my music with Intinn. I still have them too!”

Festival organiser, Eva Lynch stated “The magic about this festival is the acts who will join Johns band are all huge fans of John Martyn, many taking inspiration for their own music from him, some have played with him, recorded with him or supported him on tours so many of them would have, in effect, been chosen by John himself” said Miss Lynch.

The line up to date includes . . . .

James Yorkston, Cian Finn, Mick Pyro (Republic of Loose), Leslie Dowdall (inTuaNua), Ultan Conlon, The Man Whom, Kevin Power, Rob Doherty, Deetrich, Mundy, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Jacqui McShee, Doug Morter, Philip Donnelly, Chris Campbell, Ben Mac Caoilte. More acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Keep up to date: www.facebook.com/thejohnmartyntributefestival

Tickets, priced at €25 are available from www.ticketmaster.ie