Joe Hurley’s All-Star Irish Rock Revue
Starts 5:30 pm
100th St. Rockaway Beach
Doors oepn at Noon: $10 - kids free
All proceeds to charity including the Rockaways Special Olympians

For 21 years, NYC based singer/songwriter Joe Hurley has saluted his Irish heritage with a musical extravaganza that celebrates Ireland's musical gifts to the world. His All-Star Irish Rock Revue has long been a local institution performing to sold-out audiences at Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall, Lincoln Center, Highline Ballroom, City Winery and now The Rockaways. 

On Saturday June 1st, 2019, The All-Star Irish Rock Revue and a cavalcade of guest stars will take to the stage at the 7th Annual Rockaway Irish Fest, marking The Revue’s first Fest appearance. The London-bred Irish-originated New Yorker has strong blood ties to the Rockaways, and is happy to be part of a further step in the area's resurgence. The day after Hurricane Sandy hit, Hurley joined the many others who were compelled to come out and help with the volunteers and vans of supplies coming to St. Francis. For months, Hurley came out to the decimated area while producing fundraising concerts in NYC; the first "A Dickens Xmas for The Rockaways” -- benefiting the Rockaways' Graybeards -- was held on Hurley’s birthday.

Explained the Irishman, ”We did fundraisers for The Graybeards, Rockaway Wish, and The Kelly Gang which filled me with gratitude, having been given the chance to help. Everyone wanted to pitch in. I'd love people to visit and discover the enormity of all that Rockaways have achieved; it’s been rebuilt, rejuvenated and revitalized. Music is everywhere, with thriving restaurants and a culturally vibrant scene.”

To that he added, This June first event will be a real celebration. Our 21st anniversary summer concert will bring a boatload of top artists out there -- and joining with us will be Rockaway Royalty, a hotbed of local musical talent performing The Great Irish Songbook on The Irish Riviera. Perfect. And you can take a ferry out there. So come for the whole day since the music kicks off with Wine with Sue at 1 pm and Shilelagh Law NY at 3 pm. Starting at 530 pm, the All-Star Irish Rock Revue hits the stage featuring a mad parade [as Joe called them] of extraordinary artists and singers as dozens of guest stars dive in performing the timeless classics of such bands and artists as Thin Lizzy, U2, The Pogues, Van Morrison, The Undertones, SLF, Morrissey, John Lydon, Boomtown Rats, Rory Gallagher, Dubliners and Sinead O’Connor.

So, he proudly stated, “So If you fancy a New York Doll singing a Thin Lizzy classic, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-r taking on Rory Gallagher, a Harlem soul sensation soaring high on Jackie Wilson, please come.”

From the punk of The Undertones 'Teenage Kicks' to the soul of Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” the show is a celebration of rock in general and of Ireland’s contribution to its long and storied songbook. Whether it’s the pure rock bliss of Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back in Town' or the  poetry of “Dirty Old Town,” the celebration recalls all those great moments of musical history. From Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ danceable classic ”Come On Eileen” or  U2’s anthemic “Beautiful Day”  these songs of the Irish are performed by a wildly diverse group from all cultural backgrounds. In addition to all this, legendary Irish author/singer Malachy Mccourt will perform, his first appearance in the Rockaways in how many decades. 

And then there’s the festival itself which offers food, libations and all the things a festival usually includes, but on the edge of the Rockaways beach.