The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican
Founded in Barnsley Rock City in 2006 by their outspoken and energetic ringleader Scott Doonican, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission.
Far from being your typical folk ensemble, this cult-like collective of like-minded knitwear enthusiasts are determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive. Scott and his brothers-from-other-mothers, Mo-Jo Doonican, Dave Doonican and the Reight Reverend Jeremiah Rickenbacker III, have quite the talent for Bar-Stewardising other famous people’s songs with new satirical comedy lyrics, on folk instruments.
To complete their outrageously understated image, the Doonicans have become instantly recognisable for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of sexy knitwear, and instantly memorable for their lairy, no-holds-barred, anarchic live shows.
A group that is both perpetually on the move, ever-evolving and joyously independent, they have played close to 1,300 side-splitting shows to date, and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK.
They continue to wow audiences with a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “The Lady In Greggs”, “How Deep Is Your Glove?”, “Paint ’em Back”, “Goat Yoga” and “If I Could Punch A Face… It’d Be Justin Bieber’s”.
They have written and recorded 15 studio albums, independently released more than 50 live recordings, successfully crowd-funded nine separate independent vinyl releases, played on top of mountains, wowed-festival-goers across the length and breadth of the UK and had six different beers brewed and named in their honour by four different breweries.
They have sold-out eight consecutive shows on a Mississippi paddle-steamer on the Norfolk Broads in less than 20 seconds, hosted their own sell-out music and comedy festivals, written and performed in their own musical, are featured in the Experience Barnsley Museum Music Archives, hold the bar-takings record for at least ten theatres, have been the recipients of six different individual awards as voted for by the public in the Barnsley Music Awards, played the Avalon Stage at Glastonbury Festival, and to 20,000 people at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention (twice).
“The greatest thing to come out of Barnsley, since the A61 to Sheffield”
Jarvis Cocker, Pulp
“An act that you will wanna go and see over and over again. Absolutely hilarious”
Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention
