Rock Regeneration

Mar24

The Mary Wallopers/Sexy Tadhg

on March 24th, 2025 at 19:51

O2 Academy, Bournemouth

It’s a dreary Monday evening in Boscombe, however as I enter the O2 Academy the atmosphere changes considerably with a crowd of people who all seem in a party mood. Despite St. Patricks Day being last week the celebrations seem to have continued, the reason being The Mary Wallopers are in town making their Bournemouth debut.

The Hendy Brothers Charles and Andrew formed the band in Dundalk, having travelled the length and breadth of Ireland collecting songs that feature stories, politics and history. After gaining momentum with their own live streams during the pandemic the band released their 2nd album “Irish Rock N’ Roll” in 2023, which was embraced by a whole new audience. Taking inspiration from some of Ireland’s legendary musicians including Pecker Dunne, The Dubliners and The Pogues; the band have put their own stamp on Irish Folk using traditional instruments including Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle, Bodhrán (Irish hand drum), Banjo, along with acoustic guitars, drums and bass.

Before the headliners we have tonight’s support, Sexy Tadhg; who flamboyantly takes to the stage in a thigh high split backless green goddess dress and the singer channels her Shirley Bassey persona with captivating vocals on opening number “Ride that Wave”. Sexy Tadhg is the drag alter-ego of Dublin born Tadhg Cooke, who with her band of talented musicians win the crowd over quite early on.

With captivating vocals the multi-instrumentalist takes us on a journey with fiddle solo’s and splendid keyboard work. An uplifting version of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” is certainly a highlight of the short 30 minute set. Those in the audience all agree that there was not nearly enough stage time and as the band left the stage, they most definitely wanted more.

Sexy Tadhg 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

You could feel the atmosphere rising as the headliners stage time neared, with the Irish playlist of The Pogues, Stiff Little Fingers and Sultans of Ping certainly helping to whip up the crowd. The now five-piece arrive on stage and Andrew Hendy quipped “I love what you done to the place” before kicking into “Bold O’Donahue” which got the crowd bouncing straight away.

Like many Irish artists before them the band have a distinct and powerful message to deliver throughout their songs, not all of them are about drinking. The Palestine flag draped over the bass cab acts as a reminder. The band comments about hoping that Elon Musk dies before launching into “Rich Man and the Poor Man”, a song about a rich man going to hell and poor men going to heaven and the only song that I am aware of that uses the word “Cuntium”.

What is so great about the band is that they use no digital effects, using the original musical rudiments of bass and drums; along with melodies that are quintessentially, unmistakably Irish. On stage the five players deliver effortlessly with some impressive vocal harmonies, foot-stomping rhythms and magnificent strings work. Dominic Behan’s “Building Up and Tearing England Down” has some seriously powerful lyrics and the band does the Irish legend proud with a superb version.

The Mary Wallopers 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

The setlist is somewhat of a rollercoaster and slower stirring tunes “The Gates of Heaven” and the beautiful cover of Pecker Dunne’s “Wexford” are equally as enthralling as the raucous fast paced ones. During “Rothsea-O” the brothers have artistic licence with the lyrics and 12 year old “Agnes” on the front row gets her 30 seconds of fame!

The band continue the momentum right up to the end, the crowd continue dancing and at one point quite poignantly the green white and orange Irish tricolour flag is hoisted up proudly. Not only the Irish nationals but the rest of the world seem to be taking The Mary Wallopers music to their hearts.

These humble guys are brave enough to raise points and highlight issues that others would prefer to stay silent about. Subjects such as the IRA, Immigration and Conor McGregor, along with a host of social and political issues. After an exuberant strong two song encore the band leave the stage to sound of The Pogues “Dirty Old Town”, which keeps the crowd singing as they walk out onto the cold streets of Boscombe.

Set-List
The Mary Wallopers
Bold O’Donahue
The Turfman from Ardee
Rich Man and the Poor Man
The Holy Ground
Banks of the Roses
Smuggling the Tin
Building Up and Tearing England Down
Madam I’m a Darling
Rothsea-O
The Night the Gards Raided Owenys
Landlord Song
Wexford
Gates of Heaven
The Blarney Stone
Eileen Óg
Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice
Frost is All Over