Sarah McQuaid announces Ireland and UK tour dates

Sarah McQuaid
Photograph by Mawgan Lewis

With her new live-in-lockdown album The St Buryan Sessions drawing critical raves and appearing on best-of-2021 lists on three continents, Sarah McQuaid is once again preparing to hit the road – this time for a six-week tour of Ireland and the UK.

The tour coincides with the release of a new video filmed earlier this month at the behest of The Bert Jansch Foundation, as part of their “Around The World In 80 Plays” project.

In what would have been the legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter’s 75th year, the Foundation set three Yamaha LL TransAcoustic guitars travelling around the globe from guitarist to guitarist, each playing a song or tune inspired by Bert.

Videos of all the performances feature on the Foundation’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/bertjanschfoundation), including contributions by such iconic guitarists as Richard Thompson, Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler, Tony McManus, Tommy Emmanuel, Alex de Grassi – and now also Sarah McQuaid.

“I was tremendously honoured to be invited to take part”, says Sarah. “It was incredible just to handle an instrument that’s been played by so many guitarists I’ve worshipped from afar for so long, and to see their signatures on it and sign my own name under theirs. It was almost surreal.”

To make the video, Sarah returned to the beautiful medieval church of St Buryan, not far from her home in rural West Cornwall, where The St Buryan Sessions was also recorded and filmed.

“It’s just such a gorgeous setting”, she enthuses, “and a lovely acoustic space to sing and play in – so it made sense to do it there.”

‘When A Man’s In Love’ – 80 Plays for Bert

Sarah’s own custom-made Andy Manson acoustic guitar will be accompanying her on tour, along with her Korg SV-2 stage piano, vintage Premier Olympic floor tom drum, and  the Ibanez Artist electric guitar originally loaned to her by another guitar legend, the late Michael Chapman, when he produced her 2018 album If We Dig Any Deeper It Could Get Dangerous.

“It’s always funny when people see all the instruments onstage and say, ‘Oh, we didn’t realise you were bringing a band with you!’” Sarah laughs. “But precisely because I’m a solo performer, it’s important for me to be able to add variety by playing material in a bunch of different styles on a bunch of different instruments.” 

The tour kicks off with 10 concerts in Ireland, both north and south of the border, including a performance at the prestigious Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast.

She’ll then get the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan for six Scotland shows followed by another dozen gigs spanning the length and breadth of England, from North Yorkshire down to Cornwall, where the tour concludes.

Released on CD and limited-edition double vinyl LP on 15 October 2021, The St Buryan Sessions made it onto “Best of 2021” lists published by such far-flung media outlets as 2ser 107.3fm in Sydney, Australia; the “Ear To The Ground” radio show on Nashville’s WXNA FM; the Netherlands’ “Slim Chance” music blog; and the UK’s “Strummers & Dreamers” show on Cambridge 105 and Blues & Roots Radio.

With the assistance of second cameraman John Crooks, Cornish filmmaker Mawgan Lewis filmed the entire album as it was being recorded. His videos of all 15 tracks can be viewed on Sarah’s YouTube channel, together with a 9-minute documentary, “The Making Of The St Buryan Sessions”, featuring interviews and song snippets.

Artist’s website: sarahmcquaid.com

Ireland and UK tour dates:

Thursday April 21: Limerick Writers’ Centre Presents @ The Record Room
Basement, 46/47 Catherine Street, Limerick, V94 T2V3
Tel +353 (87) 299 6409
Tickets €10 advance / €12 on door
9pm (Doors 8:30pm)
https://limerickwriterscentre.com
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/limerick-writers-centre-present-sarah-mcquaid-the-record-room-limerick-tickets-299185049537
Huge thanks to Dominic Taylor at the Limerick Writers’ Centre for making this event possible! Also see https://www.facebook.com/recordroomlimerick for more info on this beautiful basement bar and live venue in the heart of Limerick City.

Saturday April 23: Carl Corcoran Music Presents
The Abbey Tavern, 28 Abbey Street, Howth, Co. Dublin D13 E9V4
Tickets €20
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sarah-mcquaid-in-concert-tickets-227616696667
If there is sufficient interest, Sarah will also be giving a 90-minute workshop on the DADGAD guitar tuning from 2:30pm to 4pm at the same venue (workshop fee €25). Advance booking is essential as the workshop will not take place unless a minimum of 5 participants are signed up in advance.

Email howthsongwriting@gmail.com to book a place and see https://sarahmcquaid.com/workshops for workshop details and testimonials from previous participants.

Thursday April 28
The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Tel 028 3752 1821
Tickets £13
8pm (Doors 7:45pm)
http://www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre
Tickets: https://marketplacearmagh.ticketsolve.com/shows/873622808
Sarah will be performing in this splendid state-of-the-art venue’s Studio Theatre.

Friday April 29: The Glens Centre
New Line, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim F91 YK5R
Tel +353 71 985 5833
Tickets €12 (concessions €10)
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
http://www.theglenscentre.com

Saturday April 30: The Linenhall Arts Centre
Linenhall Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 AN24
Tel +353 (94) 902 3733
Tickets €16 (€14 concessions)
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
http://www.thelinenhall.com
Tickets: https://thelinenhall.ticketsolve.com/shows/873632514

Sunday May 1: Backstage at Monroes
14 Dominick Street Upper, Galway, H91 WD2H
Tel 0915 83397
Tickets €12
8:30pm (Doors 8pm)
https://monroes.ie
Tickets: https://monroes.ie/products/sarah-mcquaid

Wednesday May 4: The Alley Theatre
Railway Street, Strabane, Co. Tyrone BT82 8EF
Tel 028 7138 4444
Tickets £10
8pm (Doors 7:15pm)
https://www.alley-theatre.com
Tickets: https://alley-theatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173620368/events/428446441

Thursday May 5: Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
McHugh’s (Basement Bar), 29-31 Queen’s Square, Belfast, BT1 3FG
Tel 028 9023 2403
Tickets £10
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
https://cqaf.com
Tickets: https://cqaf.ticketsolve.com/shows/873630926
This will be Sarah’s third visit to this wonderful festival of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature that regularly attracts over 60,000 people to over 100 events throughout Belfast’s city centre.

Friday May 6: Ards Arts Centre
Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP
Tel 028 9181 0803
Tickets £12
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
https://andculture.org.uk
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT
BYOB! Honoured in 2017 with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ards International Guitar Festival, Sarah McQuaid is delighted to be making her fourth appearance at the Ards Arts Centre.

Saturday May 7: Flowerfield Arts Centre
185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU
Tel 028 7083 1400
Tickets £14 (£12 concessions)
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
https://www.flowerfield.org
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sarah-mcquaid-tickets-262615147977
Sarah McQuaid last performed at the Flowerfield Arts Centre in 2007. She’s looking forward to this long-awaited return visit!

Monday May 9: Stirling Folk Club
Stirling County RFC, Bridgehaugh Park, Causewayhead Road, Stirling FK9 5AP
Tel 01324 562156
Tickets £12
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
http://www.stirlingfolkclub.co.uk
This will be Sarah’s third visit to Stirling Folk Club.

Tuesday May 10: Private Event – Kilbarchan

Wednesday May 11: Aberdeen Folk Club
The Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BU
Tel 01224 647472
Tickets £10.50 advance, £12 (Members £10) on door
8:30pm (Doors 8pm)
https://aberdeenfolkclub.co.uk
Tickets: https://www.thebluelampaberdeen.com/event-details/aberdeen-folk-club-sarah-mcquaid

Friday May 13: Grantown Museum
Burnfield Avenue, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HH
Tel 01479 872478
Tickets £12
7pm (Doors 6:30pm)
https://www.grantownmuseum.co.uk

Saturday May 14: Argyll Arts Collective @ Lochgoilhead Village Hall
8 Hall Road, Lochgoilhead, Cairndow, PA24 8AQ
Tickets TBC
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://www.argyllartscollective.com
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sarah-mcquaid-at-lochgoilhead-village-hall-tickets-277559396627

Sunday May 15: Uig Hall
Benmore, Dunoon, Argyll PA23 8QT
Tel 01369 706591
Tickets £10
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
http://www.uighall.org
This will be Sarah’s third visit to this lovely village hall! Tickets available from Bookpoint, Dunoon or by phone.

Tuesday May 17: The Green Room at The Plaza Stockport
Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP
Tel 0161 477 7779
Tickets £14 advance/£16 door
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://stockportplaza.co.uk
Tickets: https://www.quaytickets.com/stockport/en-GB/shows/the%20green%20room-%20sarah%20mcquaid/events
NOTE: ‘Carers Go Free’ offer available for anyone who requires access support, such as wheelchair users. This will be Sarah’s second visit to this lovely cabaret style intimate venue upstairs at The Plaza in Stockport.

Friday May 20: Helmsley Arts Centre
Old Meeting House Court, Helmsley, York, YO62 5DW
Tel 01439 771700
Tickets £14 / U18 £7.50
7:30pm (Doors 7:15pm)
http://www.helmsleyarts.co.uk
Tickets: https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=HAMS_MPV&orgid=55230&pid=9066485#/event/9066485/seatmap/

Saturday May 21: Pies, Peas and Performances
St Saviour’s Community Centre, Lidget Lane, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 6QY Tickets £15 (includes pies and peas)
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://www.facebook.com/paulcooksonpoet
Tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/536631
Ticket price includes pies and peas! Bring your own liquid refreshment if you like; soft drinks will be available to buy. Message the Pies, Peas and Performances Facebook page in advance if you are vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. Car parking on site for 25 cars, street parking available. Morrisons car park 10 minutes’ walk away. Donations – food or financial – for the local food bank would be gratefully received on the night.

Sunday May 22: Desford Village Hall
10 Lindridge Lane, Desford, Leicestershire LE9 9GN
Tel 01455 824730 or 01455 823537
Tickets £12
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://desfordvillagehall.myfreesites.net
Bring your own drinks!

Wednesday May 25: The Chapel Sessions
St Edwards Church, Grange Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, Hants SO31 5FF
Tel 07702 980677
Tickets £14
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://www.facebook.com/ChapelSessionsMusic
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chapel-sessions-music-presents-sarah-mcquaid-tickets-266818058997
This will be Sarah’s second visit to this lovely concert series in an impressive Victorian church near Southampton. Real ale/wine bar and tea/coffee available from 6.30pm in Church Hall adjacent.

Thursday May 26: All Saints’ Church
Church Street, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7EJ
Tel 07483 866400
Tickets £10
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://castlecaryallsaints.org.uk
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sarah-mcquaid-tickets-260445358077
A bar with light refreshments will be available during the interval.

Friday May 27: The Old Baptist Chapel
63 Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5RZ
Tel 07887 523770
Tickets £10 advance / £12 on door
8pm (Doors 7:30pm)
http://www.armandalegmusic.com
Tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/541407
BYOB – no bar at this beautifully restored building that started life in the 15th century as a medieval house and was transformed in the early 18th century into a Baptist chapel, possibly the oldest of its type still in existence. This event is kindly promoted by Mike Weaver of Armandaleg Music and will be Sarah McQuaid’s third visit to the Old Baptist Chapel. Also see http://www.johnmooremuseum.org/old-baptist-chapel-3 for more about The Old Baptist Chapel.

Saturday May 28: Longborough Village Hall
High Street, Longborough, GL56 0QE
Tickets £10
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://www.longboroughvillagehall.co.uk
This very special concert will be part of Longborough’s Queen’s Jubilee village celebrations, with drinks and canapes available during the interval! Tickets will be available to purchase at the Longborough Village Shop 4 weeks before the concert.

Sunday May 29: The Breathing Room Presents @ Trinity Theatre
Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JP
Tel 01892 678678
Tickets £12 (£10 concessions)
7pm (Doors 6:30pm)
https://www.trinitytheatre.net

Friday Jun 17: Penlee Park Open Air Theatre
Morrab Road, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 4HE
Tel 07816 285367
Tickets £12 advance (£14 door)
7:30pm (Doors 6:30pm)
http://www.penleeparktheatre.com
This will be Sarah’s fourth appearance at this lovely outdoor venue! Home-made vegetable pre-show curry (dairy and gluten free, with naan bread and yoghurt), veggie soup with roll or jacket potato with butter and grated cheese can be pre-ordered when you book your show tickets; in addition, there is a licensed bar plus a full range of hot and soft drinks and snacks. Become a Friend and get exclusive benefits, discounts and priority booking. Gift vouchers also available.

Saturday June 18: intoBodmin at The Old Library
10 Lower Bore Street, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 2JX
Tel 01208 811185
Tickets £12/£10/£8 (flexible pricing)
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
https://www.intobodmin.co.uk
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT
This will be Sarah’s second visit to this lovely little arts centre in the former Passmore Edwards Free Library, one of a number of institutions opened in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Year. The building was re-opened as a performance and community space in 2018. Please book in advance where possible, as the performance will not take place if a sufficient number of tickets are not sold in advance. Under intoBodmin’s flexible pricing scheme you can choose to pay £8, £10, £12 or more.

Sunday June 19: The Redruth Drapery
4 West End, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 2RZ
Tickets £12.50
7:30pm (Doors 6:30pm)
https://www.facebook.com/theredruthdrapery
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sarah-mcquaid-at-the-redruth-drapery-tickets-298983516747
The Redruth Drapery Stores was one of the first department stores of its kind in the South West up until the 1950s. Since then it’s been through many incarnations, and is now an independent events venue for live music, food, wine tasting and more.

See https://sarahmcquaid.com/tour for more tour dates later in the year.