Gobs O’Phun Annual St. Patrick’s Concert and 32nd Anniversary Celebration

In the long ago year of 1994 – a time when flannel roamed the earth and the internet made noises like a distressed bagpipe, in a world where forests were gumped and shawshanks redempted – destiny stirred in a Denver pub called Finnegan’s. It did not stir quietly. It cleared its throat, hummed a note, barked out a song and turned a band’s auspicious one night stand for St. Patrick’s Day into a 32-year adventure. “County Denver’s” quintessential pub band, Gobs O’Phun, is celebrating 32-years of Celtic storytelling, harmony and fun. Brothers‐in‐law Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth began singing together in their family living room, went on to sing in Denver pubs and have since become an annual St. Patrick’s tradition at Swallow Hill Music. The band quips: “We started singing at home, then moved to pubs, then concert halls. We just found bigger living rooms.” They sang ballads of love, heartbreak, rebellion and drinking (sometimes all in the same song) and people rejoiced. Or at least they clapped politely, which in folk music is basically the same thing. One of the most remarkable aspects of Gobs O’Phun’s music is its cross-cultural appeal. You don’t have to be Irish or Scottish to appreciate their music. Their songs tell stories that speak to all cultures, regardless of borders or nationalities. These universal themes are why their music appeals to people of all cultural backgrounds and generates good cheer. Gobs O’Phun’s lively mix of history, harmony and humor brings audiences laughter, heart and a little extra Irish spirit every March. And between songs, they explained things. Oh, how they explained things. A Gobs O’Phun performance quickly became known for its preambles – historical digressions, cultural footnotes and the occasional philosophical aside that began with a deep thought and ended somewhere on the irreverent side of the conversation with affectionate absurdity. There came forth from the misty bog, a band of ordinary stature, but extraordinary willingness to share their music. History would come to know this band by the austere moniker, Gobs O’Phun. A name spoken reverently in the hallowed halls of Swallow Hill Music, whispered in secret underground conclaves, parlayed in pubs to garner elite social status and cursed by their peers. Their name struck fear into no one, but did cause mild confusion among those unfamiliar with its origins and/or Celtic slang. Some say the band’s name emerged from a moment of linguistic inspiration. Others claim it was the result of a pun so powerful it could not be contained. But once spoken, it clung to them like destiny itself – or like a catchy chorus you can’t shake no matter how many times you pretend you know the words. Thus began their saga. Legend has it their beginnings were forged not in the spiritual tonic of Croagh Patrick, but in a family living room, which is arguably more challenging given the presence of toddler’s toys, invisible coffee table corners, errant cushion springs and relatives with opinions. There, amid the clatter of kitchen chores and the faint aroma of corned beef, it was discovered when they opened their mouths – their “gobs,” as the ancients called them – music emerged. Not just any music, but the kind that made people stop mid-sentence, mid-sip, or mid-argument to say, “They don’t entirely suck.” Thus began their quest. They did not set out to conquer County Denver’s Celtic music scene. They did not seek glory. They did not seek riches. But fate, as it often does, had grander plans. Word spread. People began to gather wherever the band performed, drawn by the promise of music, mirth and the possibility they might learn something useful about 17th and 18th century Irish politics. The Gobs discovered audiences were willing to listen to their harmonies of traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs, interspersed with historical footnotes, questionable jokes and a shared willingness to interrupt each other mid-sentence for comedic effect. For this show, the Gobs dug deep into their extensive repertoire, and the result is a show that’s officially a blend of the old, the new, and the "finally." They polished up favorites from their earliest days, added fresh material true to their traditional roots and pulled songs off the back burner – dusting off "the ones that got away". Whether the mood is spirited or funny, soulful or woeful, their concert will feature a mix of songs that waited years to be shared and new songs to freshen things up. Gobs O’Phun may not have chart‐topping hits, but they are hits with their many fans. And their impact runs deeper, as they create opportunities where strangers become friends, music becomes a fun memory and everyone leaves lighter than they arrived. After over three decades, its proof that joy ages far better than fame. This event has sold out the past few years, so get your tickets now!

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3519209-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3519209-2

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