By Robert Fulton The trip down Interstate 95 in March is a familiar one for Portland, Maine’s the Pubcrawlers. The Celtic/Irish/Punk band act is slated to perform at this year’s ShamrockFest on Saturday, making it four of the last five years the group has done so.
“It’s not every day you get to play for 60,000-plus people,” said Pubcrawlers drummer Andy Hercock, over the phone from Portland. “It’s just a great experience. Everybody down there is just extremely cool, very welcoming, very hospitable. It’s a great time.”
The band’s energetic, rollicking Celtic/punk blend can be compared with the likes of the popular Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphy’s, the latter which headlines on Saturday.
“We inevitably draw a lot of comparisons to both of those bands,” Hercock said. “Which is a good thing because they sort of paved the way, like the Pogues before them. But at the same time, we have a pretty unique sound and we certainly don’t want to be seen as riding coattails. We’re definitely trying to do our own thing.”
The Pubcrawlers take the stage at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit the-pubcrawlers.com
A quick rundown of this Saturday’s National ShamrockFest, featuring more than 40 acts:
DJs
There are more DJs spinning than you can shake your shamrocks to. DJ Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” fame is the big draw, with a performance in the middle of the afternoon, followed by a VIP set in the evening.
Irish Village
Once again, the festival hosts an Irish Village. What does this mean? Area Irish pubs such as James Hoban’s, Kelly’s Irish Times and McGinty’s will be set up serving authentic food and drink in the Taste of Ireland.
Etc, Etc, Etc.
In addition to live music, DJs, and food and drink, check out carnival rides, NCAA basketball viewing areas, crafts, strolling entertainers, a rock wall and more.
