Band Of Friends

20 hours ago
2 min read

Band of Friends performed an hour and a half celebrating Rory Gallagher’s music faithfully at Loco Club, Valencia on January 22nd. The set started with Double Vision from his 1982 Jinx record then into the Chicago blues classic Messin’ With The Kid featured on Gallagher’s 1974 live album. Everyone quickly knew they were in for a barnburner of a night as the crowd cheered them on from the start.

This trio’s magic was unmistakable. Featuring Gallagher’s original bassist Gerry McAvoy and longtime drummer Brendon O’Neill, they knew how to capture the original sound. Brendan and Gerry grew up together in Belfast forming their first band Pride in 1967. McAvoy shared with The Music Mole Magazine that “there is a certain chemistry between us”. Continuing, “We try our best to keep Rory’s flame alive.”

Next in the set was the first of four songs from the Band of Friends 2025 release Ballroom of Dreams: Under the Gun. Later in the set they played the angular, hard hitting Stand Your Ground, a ballad Man 'O' The West and slow blues groove When You Lose a Friend. “What do we do now that you are gone? Pick up the pieces and carry on. How does good heart start to mend? When you lose a friend?” The new songs fit seamlessly side by side with the Gallagher hits.

Chicago-based, Isle of Man native Davy Knowles had the honour and responsibility of guitar. Plus mandolin on Going to My Home Town and shared vocals with McAvoy. No small tasks. And Knowles held the reins mastering that punchy, bright Fender Stratocaster sound. His chops shined as they played Lonely Mile, Moonchild and Bought and Sold.

How did they find the right guitarist for this fit? McAvoy explained: I first heard of Davy back in the 90’s when I played on the Isle of Man. We had a one minute conversation on the phone. I followed his career over the years. Around 2017 he dedicated a video to Rory on what would have been his birthday. My sister saw it and sent it to me. I contacted Davy to see if he would fancy doing an USA tour with myself and the late Ted McKenna. Which he agreed to do. So we did four tours of the USA as Band of Friends. Davy was the perfect choice for the band. He really studied his art.

The show continued with a cross-section of Gallagher’s songs: Heaven's Gate, Overnight Bag, I Fall Apart, and Bad Penny. They ended with Shadow Play and Bullfrog Blues as the encore. McAvoy shared that “We’ve been very lucky on this tour. The crowd reaction has been fantastic. The Spanish audiences are so passionate. We try our best to keep Rory’s flame alive.” And that, they did! I imagine Rory looked down from rock and roll heaven brimming with love over this show.