Getting kicks from Route 66 – Big band sound comes to The Civic Theatre
By Tiana Binns
We are really a band for every one of every age, said Route 66 Big Band founder Pat Boyd as he gears up for the band’s big show at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght on March 7.
Route 66 Big Band was created 21 years ago by Pat and some of his fellow band members from a local town band in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. However, only three of the original members are still in the band and it has gone through many changes over the years.
American lead singer of Route 66, Allison Saul
When Route 66 started, they did a lot of work for charity events to fundraise, including working with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. For the most part, over the years, the band has played at weddings with wedding-goers enjoying their music so much that they would ask where they could see them play.
Notably, the band was asked to perform in the Mansion House in 2003 at the wedding of Royston Brady, the then Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Over the past four years, the band has transitioned to performing theatre shows all over the country with a lively mix of cover songs, including those by Glen Miller, Tina Turner, Amy Winehouse, Van Morrison, Adele and Tom Jones.
Pat Boyd said: “The audience feedback is always the best. They like to get up in their seats, dance and sing along. If there is enough room, people will come up in front of the stage and start dancing too.”
Currently, Route 66 is a 16-part band with six brass instruments, four saxophones, two guitars, a keyboard, the drums and two lead singers.
Damien O’Meara, the other lead singer of Route 66
Following multiple sell-out gigs, Route 66 Big Band invites everyone to come kick off their shoes and dance along as they play their sixth show in the Main Space at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght. The show starts at 8pm on Saturday, March 7 with a duration of about two hours.
Tickets can be bought online for €23 or you can purchase the meal-deal that gives you entry to the show and a two-course meal for €39.
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