ROCKED UP FOLK with the Porter Bellys

The Porter Bellys are a Dromore and Fermanagh based folk rock band whose roots are firmly originated in Irish traditional music.

Formed in 2018, the band’s current line-up have been making waves in the local music scene since 2022 and are now preparing to go global as they prepare to jet off to Dubai next week, with further plans to head to America later in the year.

The band consists of Mark McAloon, James McCaffrey, Chris Maguire, Odhran Sweeney, Gerard McRory and Shane Tierney and they cite some of their biggest influences as The Dubliners, The Pogues, The Waterboys, Planxty and Dropkick Murphys.

Members of the band have previously won All-Ireland titles at the Irish Fleadh, with button accordionist, Chris, earning the title in 2013 and tin whistler, James, taking it in 2015.

Chris, James and Mark spoke with the TyroneHerald this week ahead of their trip to Dubai, with Mark beginning in jest, “Them boys can boast about their All-Ireland medals, but I won twenty quid in the Dromore Lotto one time.”

Explaining the origins of the bands name, Mark continued, “I took the name from Porter Belly’s pub in Boston that I visited when I was over there a few years ago touring with my previous band.

“I thought it had a great ring to it – although, it has nothing to do with our lower abdomens.”

Regarding the band’s sound influences, Mark said, “We do a blend of stuff really.

“There has been a big focus on the Pogues lately following the passing of Shane MacGowan, but we also put a traditional twist on some contemporary rock and pop stuff like Coldplay, Avicii and Mumford and Sons.”

Speaking more about their Irish traditional roots, James said, “Myself and Chris come from a traditional music background. We grew up playing at fleadhs, festivals and sessions and have known eachother since we were 10 or 11, so have been playing together for over 20 years.”

James continued, “Chris is an integral part of the Fermanagh Irish traditional scene.

“Just before Christmas, we played down in Enniskillen at Charlie’s bar and found that footage from the gig had went viral when Nathan Carter landed in for the night in the middle of the whole thing.”

To date, the band have played many gigs and festivals across Ireland. Mark explained, “To date we have played up and down the country whether it’s in bars, at weddings, or at corporate functions.

“At the end of this month we will be playing the INTO conference in the Europa in Belfast, and later on in the year we will be appearing at Beat on the Peat, the South Galway Music Festival, the Royal Theatre in Castlebar and the Folk the World Festival in Omagh.”

Looking forward to jetting off to Dubai next week, Mark explained how the opportunity came around.

“We’re excited to head to Dubai on February 8 to play in McCafferty’s Bar in Abu Dhabi for four nights.

“McCafferty’s also have a couple of venues in and around Donegal and they have been so good to us over the years, and I would like to extend my thanks to the owner, Declan Boyle.

“I, personally, have been playing for them for over a decade so it’s a pleasure to be heading over to Dubai through them.

“The bound between this band and such a prestigious, international pub group has been incredible.”

Aside from the excitement of heading to Dubai, the Porter Bellys have also been busy in the studio recording a series of new singles which will be released throughout 2024, which James explains as a ‘distinctive style of new music’ that will elevate the existing styles in the current Irish music scene.

“We’re working up an exciting blend of folk rock and hoping to help develop the folk scene in Ireland even further,” James said.

“We’ve been working hard in the studio and are looking at releasing our first single early this year, with many more to come.”

With plans to break the international market in 2024 and tour the UK and America, you can catch the Porter Bellys locally this St Patrick’s Day at the Hill of the O’Neill in Dungannon.

James concluded, “Come and experience the ultimate folked up rock show with the Porter Bellys!”

To keep up to date with the Porter Bellys you can visit www.porterbellys.band or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.