Music
04 Sep 23

Live Report- The Mary Wallopers at Electric Picnic 2023

Dundalk's The Mary Wallopers brought their unique blend of humor, energy, and musical talent to the Rankins Wood stage at Electric Picnic 2023 on Sunday.

On the Rankins Wood stage this EP Sunday, Dundalk's very own trad upstarts The Mary Wallopers cemented their growing reputation as one of Ireland's most entertaining live acts.

The first thing to strikes you about the Wallopers (other than the creative hairdos and beards) is their unapologetic humor. They cheekily dedicated their opening number to the Queen, along with some scuttery mouth sounds. It was clear the audience was in for a no-holds-barred Irish treat.

Our dear political leaders Leo Varadkar and Michael Martin were also caught in the band's crossfire. This reviewer's mother likes to read HotPress.com occasionally, so I won't repeat the Hendy brother's words exactly. I will say that they rhymed with 'flower of punts'.

Beyond the jests and jibes however, lies real talent. Their music is a pulsating blend of traditional beats and raw energy which breathes new life into some well established Irish Classics like 'The Holy Ground' and, my personal favourite, 'Cod Liver Oil & The Orange Juice'.

Even when faced with technical difficulties through a bass drum pedal malfunction, the band's spirit wasn't dampened. The audience stepped in as their clapping and stomping turned an unexpected mishap into a memorable festival moment.

The group's energy and passion spoke volumes about the flourishing music scene in Dundalk, which had an impressive representation at this year's festival. There's clearly something in the water (or Buckfast) in County Louth.

The performance whet the appetite for a day of trad madness, with The Wolfe Tones and The Saw Doctors wreaking havoc later on.

The Mary Wallopers are set to further establish themselves with a much-anticipated album releasing this October- which promises a mix of classics and original material. This winter will also witness The Mary Wallopers embarking on their most extensive UK tour to date.

Having garnered a significant fan base during the pandemic with their live-stream gigs, they've transitioned seamlessly from the virtual stage to the live one. Now, a formidable seven-piece ensemble, The Mary Wallopers are as tightly knit and professional as they are good craic.