Kerry band Walking On Cars have been announced as the headliners for the annual New Year’s Eve concert at the Custom House, with support from Downpatrick indie veterans Ash , Dublin singer Aimée and Fermanagh-based country star Lisa McHugh .
Speaking exclusively to Dubin Live, Walking On Cars bassist Paul Flannery said that the band are looking forward to their third time ringing in the New Year in Dublin.
“We’re pretty psyched!” he said. “The first time we played it, we did a 12-minute set or something in between two other bands. The next time, we did half an hour – and now we're headlining it. It's pretty cool.”
Pianist Sorcha Durham added that it will make a change from the band’s usual New Year plans at home in Kerry.
“There's a big celebration in Dingle,” she said. “Everyone gathers at the bridge for a countdown, and that's generally where we are. But I'm happy to be taking a break from Dingle this New Year's – it's good to do something different every year and change it up a bit."
Walking On Cars have had a big 2019, with the band picking out the release of their second album Colours, their headline stadium gig in Cork and their first visit to Russia as highlights. And there’s more to be done before they arrive at the Custom House on New Year’s Eve.
“We’re in Germany at the start of November, then we're heading to Australia, New Zealand... and finishing off in Moscow,” Sorcha said.
“We're in Ireland around December and then we’ll hopefully bring out new music next year. That's what we're working towards.”
Bassist Paul said: “We might even debut some new stuff at the New Year’s Eve gig. We’ve quite a bit of new material. It's just the usual – write loads and then try to figure out what’s good.”
The NYE Countdown Concert is part of the New Year’s Festival which takes place on December 31 and January 1. Tickets priced €36.90 incl. booking fee go on sale at 9am this Friday October 18. More information at nyfdublin.com
