Young Irish singing star is ‘On the Tear Tonight!’

While it’s the young women of Country who seem to be strongest on the international scene this summer it's mostly young lads who are a bit more popular on the home front. One of these is Gavin Gribben, who, to quote himself has gone “On the Tear Tonight!”

There are many names used by the Irish to describe being out on the town and drinking to excess. Other phrases include ‘on the batter’ or ‘on a bender’ - all examples of how we speak English in our own way.

Whatever words are used, particularly by youngsters today, this song’s lyrics reflect in about two and a half minutes how people can have a wild night drinking and dancing – as they often do!

This song sounds like a new summer anthem for revellers at festivals, pubs, hotels and any excuse for a party among the Irish here at home or anywhere around the world.

It will certainly help 22-year-old Gavin from Co Down continue tearing up along the live music circuit this summer as this song masterfully bridges authentic Irish Folk and Country nuances with blistering instrumentals and a massive, almost stadium-size crowd chorus that will have audiences singing along wherever they hear it.

While it sounds like a new song written by some Irish acts like The Saw Doctors or The Tumbling Paddies, it’s not. It’s an obscure old and forgotten Irish ballad that Gavin and his band have electrified.

“I had that old song sitting around in my collection for a few years while waiting for the right time to record it. To be honest I think it’s one of the best and liveliest songs that I’ve ever recorded,” says the young singer, who first came to prominence in 2018 with his version of the old ballad Belfast Mill.

“I learned to play the guitar, banjo and piano as well as singing and it’s nice now to play all those instruments on stage with my new band. As I’ve heard nobody else doing that song it's unique in that way as well,” he added.

From his native Down to venues as far away as Castlemaine in Kerry and Charleville in Cork and to the Race Dance at Ballinrobe, Gavin is travelling more than ever since assembling his own new backing band last year. No doubt a few from Galway and Mayo will be ‘having a few’ and going ‘On the Tear’ that night!