Promoter Peter Aiken said the decision by US outlaw country star, Zach Bryan, to chose Ireland for four concerts this summer underlined just how attractive an international location the island now is for music-focussed visitors.
The Oklahoma-based singer songwriter will play two concerts in Belfast and two in Cork from June 20-24 to promote his new album, ‘Heaven On Top.’
It follows a series of critically-acclaimed sell-out concerts last summer at Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Mr Aiken said the US star was “absolutely delighted” by the reaction to his Irish concerts last year and was determined to return for a series of headline gigs.
Zach Bryan launched his new tour in the US this spring and his four leg Irish concert series is the highest profile of the European tour segment.
“It was astonishing – the number of people attending the concerts from various parts of the world last year was remarkable,” Mr Aiken said.
The Oklahoma singer’s Irish concerts in June are expected to be amongst the highlights of Ireland’s music calendar this summer.
Such is the demand for the June concerts that a number of hotels in Cork and Belfast are already booked out with the two cities savouring an early season tourism bonanza.
Thousands of US fans travelled to Ireland last year for the Zach Bryan concerts in Dublin – and US outlaw country fans are set to deliver another tourism boom for Belfast and Cork this summer.
Local retailers reported a surge in sales of jeans as well as cowboy shirts and boots.
Mr Aiken also underlined the ongoing popularity of his Live At The Marquee concert series which returns again in Cork this year having been founded in 2005.
The festival programme was launched in Cork on Thursday and this year features 21 concerts running from June 10 to July 18.
Christy Moore again plays the festival having featured in every event programme since its inception 21 years ago.
Other acts featuring in Cork this year include James Taylor, Tom Grennan, Imelda May, David Gray, Bell X1, Divine Comedy, Kevin Bridges, Kesha, K-Pop, Allie Sherlock, James Arthur, Natasha Bedingfield, Two Door Cinema Club and BabyRat.
The Christy Moore, Kesha and James Taylor concerts are already sell-outs.
The festival, which began in 2005 to mark Cork’s Year as European Capital of Culture, has become a hugely popular part of the annual Irish entertainment calendar.
Mr Aiken said the festival has been a firm favourite not just with fans but with major performers who adore its unique atmosphere and intimacy.
Over the years Live At The Marquee has hosted such legendary acts as Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga and Tom Petty.
Last year, US guitarist Joe Bonamassa led a special concert series tribute to legendary Irish star Rory Gallagher.
Such was the reaction to a concert series hailed as “a labour of love” that a special live album from the event is being launched entitled ‘The Spirit of Rory – Live From Cork.’
