Paddy goes to Holyhead
Ireland has captivated them. This small country, where rain is part of daily life, the meadows shine, and the people have decided that their music shall never be as gray as the sky over the moors — radiant, joyful, sometimes melancholic, but never dull. This soul has been carried by PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD for over 35 years, and it simply cannot be shaken off.
While the music industry dictates decade after decade what can be played, broadcasted, and listened to — from New York to Tokyo, from Frankfurt to Buxtehude — the trio from Darmstadt has stubbornly refused to play along. Unsuitable for formats? Yes, gladly. The band is even proud of it.
Over 35 years on the road have taught PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD from scratch what it means to make music on one's own: pasting concert posters under the cover of night, tirelessly beating the promotional drum, playing one stage after another — from small clubs to large festivals, in Germany and across Europe. From this time, songs have emerged that have long developed their own identity. Far Away, Here’s To The People, The Titanic, Doolin, A Last Song — songs that are covered by other musicians and linger in minds long after the last note has faded.
Sharing the stage? The Paddies, as they lovingly call their fans, have done so with some of the greatest: The Hooters, BAP, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, PUR — and even with the Beach Boys. When the album "Ready For Paddy" entered the German music charts, the industry took notice. The earworm "Bound Around" established itself in the single charts, and "Johnny Went To War" remained in the top ten of a southern German radio station for a whole 54 weeks.
Today, three musicians stand on stage: Paddy Schmidt on vocals, guitar, and harmonica, Almut Ritter on fiddle and concertina, Jens Dörr on bass and vocals. With this trio, PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD enchants their audience night after night — with a finely balanced mix of original compositions and Celtic folk songs that reside in the band's genes like peat and whiskey in Irish soil.
For the anniversary, a new CD has also been released: "Best of 35 Years" gathers the most popular songs in the band's history — including some titles that have never been recorded before.
Anyone who has experienced it knows: In the end, it doesn’t really matter whether the journey leads to Dublin or back to Darmstadt. Music is the common language — and PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD has been speaking it fluently for over 35 years.
Admission one hour before the start.
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
