The John Byrne Band is led by former Patrick's Head front man and Dublin native John Byrne. His first solo effort, After the Wake, was released to great critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 2010. With influences ranging from The Chieftains to Planxty to Bob Dylan, John’s songwriting honors and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. Their follow up album, Celtic-Folk, takes the same approach to a collection of folk tunes, both Irish and American. John and the band have promoted the albums with a series of sold out shows at World Café Live in Philadelphia and many of the East Coast’s premiere live acoustic venues. In the past years John and the band have sold out World Cafe Live on 5 separate occasions, bringing as many as 500 jubilant fans to the storied Philadelphia venue. John has toured with and opened up for acts as diverse as The Hothouse Flowers, The Saw Doctors, Dervish, The Young Dubliners, Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple), Gaelic Storm,The Screaming Orphans, Black 47, The Greencards, The Motels, Patti Smyth, Murder by Death, Finbar Furey and Enter the Haggis. He has also been frequently featured on WXPN, NBC 10, Fox29, WSTW and local College Radio. John and the Band performed the VIP reception for the Liberty Medal Presentation at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia before President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair alongside the Irish Tenors. “Byrne’s songs are rich with the sounds and themes of Irish tradition, one that survives in a modern world… full of “raw strength”… an impressive work throughout… puts me in mind of an Irish Alejandro Escavedo” Sing Out "John Byrne's After The Wake is the sort of album that an artist spends their entire career trying to create. Every once in a while someone actually manages to do it; mix splendid story-telling skills, top-notch musicianship, and a grand creative sense with just the right mix of songs. After The Wake is nothing short of a brilliant collection" - Wildy's World “One of the few musical artists today who truly manage to be traditional and modern at the same time.” Philadelphia Inquirer “Up and coming Trad star hits the sweet spot… beautifully played… its Byrne’s natural vocal delivery that makes the album stand out from the crowd” Hot Press “He’s good, period, with material that’s edgy yet accessible in a Luka Bloom meets Bob Dylan kind of way.” Philadelphia Daily News “After the Wake is the perfect combination of Celtic and American folk music.” Record-Journal Newspaper “Amazing tales of life and semi-autobiographical tunes… You’ll want to listen over and over again.” Reviewer Magazine For “fans of Celtic music, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and other such lyrically expansive folks.” Sun Herald “Straight up contemporary Celtic folk……fantastic” – Marc Gunn – Irish and Celtic Podcast “Vocals delivered with the utmost sincerity and music that follows suit” - Catherine L. Tully - Celtic MP3s Music Magazine “Folk music, all the way through, and at its very best……traditional and original songs, each one as amazing as the one before. I tell you frankly that I wept salty tears, brought on by both the subject matter of the lyrics and the intensity of the delivery.” Album Review 2009 – Celtophilia.com “A happy alchemy of American country, blues and Irish folk songs - introspective songs of joy, love and heartache, telling of experiences and journeys…..” AmericanaUK