Gig Preview: Mad Dog Mcrea + Year of the Dog
Friday 16th October – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham – 7:30 pm
A full-throttle night of folk, rock, Celtic energy and soul-soaked brass arrives at Hare & Hounds on Friday 16th October as Mad Dog Mcrea headline, joined by special guests Year of the Dog.
Few bands capture the spirit of a festival quite like Mad Dog Mcrea. Hailing from Plymouth and Donegal, the band have built a loyal following through their infectious blend of folk, rock, Celtic influences and storytelling charm. Their music is driven by foot-stomping rhythms, dazzling musicianship and a healthy sense of humour, creating a sound that feels both timeless and entirely their own.
Over the years, Mad Dog Mcrea have become renowned for their raucous live performances, transforming venues into celebrations filled with singalongs, dancing and infectious energy.
Combining original material with traditional influences, they create an atmosphere that feels equally at home on festival stages and in packed grassroots venues. Their genre-defying approach has helped them become one of the UK’s most beloved live acts, with audiences returning time and again for the unique experience they bring to the stage.
Joining them are Cardiff and Bristol collective Year of the Dog, a six-piece powerhouse whose sound blends brass, house, soul and funk into an irresistible live spectacle. Known for performances that move both hearts and dancefloors, the band have spent recent years building a formidable reputation across the UK festival circuit.
Their landmark 2025 included closing the main stage at the final Noz Stock Festival, while appearances at Kendal Calling, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Cardiff LGBTQ+ Pride and venues across Europe have further established them as one of the most exciting emerging live bands around. Fresh from completing their highly anticipated debut album with Abbey Road producer Rob Cass, Year of the Dog arrive in Birmingham with serious momentum behind them.
A Friday night packed with soaring melodies, festival-sized energy and irresistible rhythms awaits at Hare & Hounds. Whether you’re drawn to Mad Dog Mcrea’s Celtic folk-rock celebrations or Year of the Dog’s brass-fuelled grooves, expect an evening that’s impossible to stand still through.
Tickets for this show are highly recommended and advance tickets are available now.