We Banjo 3 Bring an International Performance to Mercyhurst

Marianne Mangan

Wednesday, Jan. 15th

We Banjo 3 will bring their unique brand of rustic sounds and grassroots music to the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture's Walker Recital Hall. The Galway and Nashville-centric group is comprised of two sets of brothers, Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley. If you attempt to look up what each member contributes, you may (not) be surprised by the fact that three of the four members play guitar, mandolin, and banjo — hence, We Banjo 3. (Fergal plays fiddle, guitar, and bodhran.)

Holding over a dozen "All Ireland" titles, the band has settled into their place as one of the most prolific and respected modern acts to emerge from Ireland; this is largely due to their innovative blend of Americana, bluegrass, pop, world, and Celtic music. This specific outing, the 2020 U.S. "Rise + Shine" Tour, is a special one, as We Banjo 3 will be partnering with Backline, a nonprofit that focuses on mental health support for music industry professionals. This comes paired with the news that the band also donated $750,000 to Mental Health America from their 2019 tour. While the title of the tour references the song "Shine" and the 2019 album Roots to Rise (Live) from the band, their most recent studio release was 2018's Haven, and it may be their most heartfelt yet.

Often said but rarely true, We Banjo 3's diverse playing and genre references may be the closest you get to a band who truly has something for everyone. — Aaron Mook

7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. // Walker Recital Hall, 501 E. 38th St. // Students $16, Seniors $21, Adults $26 // miac.mercyhurst.edu