The Emerald Isle came to Adelaide as double Emmy Award-winning vocal group The Shamrocks made their South Australian debut at the opening weekend of the Adelaide Fringe.
Founded in Northern Ireland in 2018 by Raymond Walsh, The Shamrocks have reimagined traditional Irish songs for a new generation, delivering a spectacular night of music suitable for all ages.
With their powerful, emotive voices and infectious enthusiasm, the incredibly talented (sometimes cheeky but always lovable) lads captured the audience’s attention from the moment they burst on to the stage; while their rousing opening number ‘Rocky Road To Dublin’ perfectly set the mood for the musical extravaganza that followed.
Over the course of an hour, group members Raymond and Jack Walsh, Jimmy and Nathan Johnston and Matthew Campbell delivered stunning renditions of Irish classics like ‘Black Velvet Band’ and ‘Whiskey In The Jar,’ supported by long-term band member Michael Gaffney whose guitar and bodhran (drum) skills were a joy to witness. Some songs, like those above, had audiences at the 21 February performance tapping their feet and clapping their hands while others such as the emotionally-charged ‘Parting Glass’ and ‘Ireland’s Call’ tugged at our heart strings.
Accomplished singers and instrumentalists, the men demonstrated their versatility throughout the show; with Matthew Campbell delivering incredible performances on the piano, whistle and bodhran. Lovable larrikin Nathan Johnston showed off his impressive bodhran skills, and older brother Jimmy exhibited some fancy footwork on stage; while Jack Walsh proved he’s no stranger to the piano either.
Between each musical piece the men laughed and joked on stage (sometimes at each other’s expense) and this playful banter combined with their willingness to engage with the audience created a relaxed atmosphere where you were free to sing along, cheer and just get lost in the music.
With careers spanning musical theatre, songwriting and composition and dance, The Shamrocks are natural entertainers who light up the stage with their presence and by the end of the night it felt less like a concert and more like a night out at the pub with your best friends. It's easy to see why this award-winning group are considered “the world's number one traditional Irish show” and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last time we see The Shamrocks at Adelaide Fringe. A must-see experience.
