Andy Irvine's last US tour

Subject: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Oct 16 - 09:11 PM

`...a post Irvine made to his Facebook wall last week, prior to his tour, that has piqued my curiosity. It read: "Starting tomorrow for my last tour of the US. As ever, looking forward to seeing so many good friends and enjoying their company and the pleasure of playing for good people. "It's my last tour because the U.S. powers that be just make it too difficult. From the 30 percent withholding tax, to the tiresome, expensive and ultimately humiliating application for a work visa – which very often doesn't come through in time. "Most of all, to the totally unfair disparity between a US musician touring Ireland and all this s*** we have to go through to tour over there, enough is enough. Age is a factor and so is political uncertainty."'

From Tradconnect

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: CupOfTea
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 10:54 AM

I hate that I've seen him for the last time, but can only too easily understand and sympathise with his resolution. As long as I've been active in promoting folk music (since 1985), visa and border crossing hassles for folk performers have surfaced with differing degrees of nastiness and obstruction. The current political climate seems likely to drive it into a significantly difficult situation.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: Will Fly
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 11:26 AM

It's a shame when people have to go through such hoops just to bring music to other people.

I'm curious as to what the mindset is - the reason that the "nastiness and obstruction" exist. Is it to deter non-US musicians to play with and for others in the US? And if so - why? What could seal the bonds of friendship more than mixing music and friendship?

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 01:52 PM

Andy's website doesn't have anything about a U.S. tour. Maybe this whole thing is fake.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 02:43 PM

I cannot for the life of me think why this topic should be a fake.

A quick look at the original Irish Echo article the post on Tradconnect refers to will show that the article was first published on the 19th of September. Which gives a clear reason why the tour in question isn't listed in the upcoming concert listing of Andy's website.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 04:37 PM

Andy gave a brilliant concert at FASTNET MARITIME AND FOLK FESTIVAL, June 2016, he is rebooked for june 17 2017. Andy got a double encore and a standing ovation.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 05:29 PM

He played & sang with Dervish at Shrewsbury this August - superb performance as ever!

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: gillymor
Date: 06 Oct 16 - 08:38 PM

I haven't seen him live in 25 years but judging from his recent youtube stuff, particularly his 70th birthday concert, he's still doing it. Andy is an "International Treasure" and the U.S. should make it easier for someone of his stature to perform here, not harder.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 07 Oct 16 - 07:06 AM

PS And he's certainly visited every contiguous state!

I'll ask him if he's been to Alaska and Hawaii.

Subject: RE: Andy Irvine's last US tour
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Oct 16 - 04:50 PM

Looks like the tour was in September, and it's over.

Did anybody get to one of those gigs?