One of the world’s finest folk and rebel artists makes his way back to Australia this year and this time he is bringing some friends with him for the inaugural ‘Rebels Down Under Festival’. Gary Óg will once again look to take this country by storm after a highly successful Australia-wide tour in November 2022, which left audiences begging for more.

Hailing from the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland, Óg developed his craft growing up amongst an Irish community, which in past generations emigrated to the area in the hope of a better life. “Many people, who were just off the boat from Ireland, settled in the Gorbals,” he said. It was from these working class streets of Glasgow that he developed his penchant for Bob Dylan, Christy Moore and ballads of Irish freedom.

He quickly started a band, Éire Og (meaning Young Ireland), which developed rapidly beyond his expectations and was soon immensely popular in Scotland, Ireland and America. Éire Óg attracted impressive crowds, particularly in their ancestral homeland of Ireland – and it’s a place that Óg still loves to perform.

After Éire Og wound to a close, Óg went solo, often supporting legendary Irish group The Wolfetones. Armed only with his unmistakable gravelly voice and acoustic guitar, it gave him the opportunity to add his personal touch to a vast repertoire of ballads which often focus on people who were involved in liberation movements across the world.

The Rebels Down Under Festival will also feature two of Gary’s favourite rebel folk artists, young gun Katelin Tierney and Derry’s Marty Healy.

Nineteen year old rising star Katelin “I always knew I wanted to sing the rebel songs when I would be old enough to sing in the bars. My grandad taught me the songs and stories behind all the great rebel songs , I have continued learning from all the great rebel singers and bands who have all been an amazing help on my journey.”

Derry native Marty Healy is one of the most well-known performers in the city’s thriving music scene. A natural entertainer, he has toured across Ireland and further afield as a solo singer and member of Irish rebel band Kelly’s Men.