Currently Playing at McGurk’s:
Interested in playing tunes at McGurks? We would love to hear from you, please contact us here.
Alan Murray, Kevin Buckley, and Ian Walsh – December 10 – 28
The Darrells – December 31st
Alan Murray
Alan hails from Glasgow in Scotland, where he grew up playing the tin-whistle from an early age. Alan’s talent for Irish Music was recognized early on by his local Ceili band, and he was invited to join them at the age of 12. He played the tin-whistle with the band for the next nine years, but eventually turned to the guitar and bouzouki as his main instraments.
Kevin Buckley
Kevin started learning Irish fiddle tunes at the age of 9. In his formative years, he played all over the country with his music school, St. Louis Irish Arts and places in a variety of music competitions (Fleahd Cheoil) both in the midwest and in Ireland , where he lived for a year.
Ian Walsh
Ian grew up playing traditional Irish fiddle in both St. Louis and his father’s home in Ireland. In more recent years, his expanded interest in Bluegrass music culminated in a 2011 Rocky Grass fiddle championship.
STICKLEY & CANAN (with Ryan Kennedy) – Sundays – 8:30PM
“St. Louis is known for its hearty Irish and Americana music scenes, but no group in town bridges the gap like Joe Stickley and Sean Canan.
The two veteran musicians have been holding down a weekly [Sunday] residency at the legendary McGurk’s Irish Pub for [going on four] years, honing their highly original take on chanteys, ballads, rousing sing-alongs and daring instrumental flights.”
This isn’t quaint acoustic music; this is acoustic music with guts and chops to burn.”
– Roy Kasten, 88.1 KDHX
Kevin Buckley and Ian Walsh – Mondays – 8:30PM
Although only in their early 30s, Kevin Buckley and Ian Walsh have over 20 years of experience playing together, most of which they attained on stage at John D. McGurk’s. Walsh grew up playing Traditional Irish fiddle in both St. Louis and his father’s home in Ireland. In more recent years, his expanded interest in Bluegrass music culminated in a 2011 Rocky Grass fiddle championship. Buckley, another St. Louis native, has had similar competitive success, including an All-Ireland fiddle title, and accolades as a singer/songwriter and guitarist in more recent years with his band Grace Basement. Utilizing fiddles, bouzoukis, mandolins and guitars, both musicians play Irish music fluently in the Traditional style while incorporating other elements of folk and acoustic music into their performances to form a thrilling and unique take on age old traditions as well as modern sounds.
Their debut album, Keeping it Reel, was released in 2011 to critical acclaim:
“It’s a fine one, with an interested collection of tunes and songs…it’s all well played and well sung, with a nice opportunity for those less familiar with Irish music to explore unfamiliar waters.” -Bluegrass Unlimited (2011)
Likewise, Monday nights at McGurk’s will cater to Traditional Irish music connoisseurs as well as those less versed, seeking the cultural and musical experience that has made McGurk’s one of the most famous Irish pubs in the world. Slainte!