The Seeger Sessions in Castlederg on St Patrick’s Day

Fans of Bruce Springsteen are in for a treat, as the Townhouse in Castlederg prepare to welcome ‘The Seeger Sessions Revival’ to close a very busy weekend of St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

‘Reviving’ the spirit, energy and musical exuberance that was Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Seeger Sessions’ album, the breathtaking 13-piece band will grace the beckoning
stage next Saturday (March 18) at 8pm ‘out the back’ of the Townhouse.

This diverse group of talented musicians can’t wait to deliver a high energy, two hour-long on-stage tribute to ‘The Boss’, with hits including, ‘Old Dan Tucker’, ‘Jesse James’ and ‘American Land’, to name just a few gems.

Made up of fiddle, banjo, accordion, steel guitar, whistle, a thumping rhythm section, a superb virtuosic four-piece brass section and strong group vocal harmonies, the group are inviting locals to sit back and enjoy an evening of traditional American folk songs, consisting of a Jambalaya of bluegrass, folk, country, dixieland, gospel, rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues.

Christopher Speer, banjo player and guitarist of The Seeger Sessions Revival, explained the origins of the now hugely sought after group.

“The project all started during lockdown,” the Killeter man reflected. “I always wanted to do create something of that calibre, so when the world stopped – I went for it.

“I had a wishlist of musicians in my head that I wanted to get involved, and, luckily, they were all up for it.

“So, after a few Zoom calls and a few small practices, we got going.”

The extravagant 13-piece band features an array of local talent.

The group also features musicians Michael Gillespie on bass; lead singer Dermot McGee; and drummer, Darrell Nelson.

The band played their first gig in June 2022 at the Alley Theatre in Strabane.

They are also currently preparing for a big gig in Dublin, performing in the Button Factory on May 6, whilst ‘The Boss’ – Springsteen himself – will be performing in Dublin’s RDS Arena on May 5, 7 and 9.

This won’t be Christopher’s first time in the Townhouse that weekend, as his other band, ‘The Logues’, will open the weekend’s festivities as part of a ‘St Patrick’s Day Eve’ celebration, alongside the fantastic Davy K Project.

So, whether it’s Irish music, rock n roll or the Springsteen songbook you’re after this St Patrick’s Day, the Townhouse in Castlederg has you covered with a powerful display of local talent.