Gerry McAvoy’s Band of Friends | The Everyman, Cork | 5 Mar 2026

Gerry McAvoy’s Band of Friends

THU 5 MAR, 8PM
Live at The Everyman
TICKETS €29
BOOK everymancork.com | 021 4501673

Fresh from sharing the stage with Joe Bonamassa for 3 barnstorming nights during Live at the Marquee in July, Gerry McAvoy has just announced he will return to Cork next March as part of a 4-date Irish tour celebrating Rory Gallagher’s 78th birthday.

Gerry has reshaped the band and they are now joined by Cork’s own Brian Tambling, formerly of Stage Struck.

New guitarist Brian Tambling grew up in Cork, Ireland. Brian fell in love with the blues at an early age by discovering all the classic guitarists of the 60s and 70s including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher.

New guitarist Andy Taylor grew up in Orkney Island, finding Muddy Waters early in his career, he then discovered all the greats of the 60s and 70s.

Drummer Brendan O’Neill hails from Belfast. He toured with Rory for ten years from 1981 to 1991 whilst also playing on Rory’s final three studio albums including Jinx, Defender and Fresh Evidence. Brendan can also be seen on Live at Montreux DVD.

Rory’s long time bassist Gerry McAvoy also hails from Belfast and performed on every record Rory ever recorded. In 2012, he formed Band of Friends to not only remember the great bluesman but to also celebrate his legacy by touring the world playing his music to live audiences – a space where Rory always felt at his best.

Over the years Band of Friends have been seen worldwide with various line-ups, but since the beginning, until his unfortunate death in 2019, featured Ted McKenna on drums who toured with Rory from 1978–1981. Ted can also be heard on Photo-Finish, Top Priority and live album Stage Struck.

Band of Friends look forward to getting their music out there and will be playing a mixture of their own material mixed in with Rory Gallagher songs.