aka why you should hire "probably the best guitar and bodhrán Irish-American duo in the DMV."
O'McPub Band's dynamic performances and extensive repertoire cater to diverse audiences and venues. From street corners and private parties to festivals, pubs, concert halls, and weddings, O'McPub Band creates an engaging and memorable experience, sharing the rich history behind these beloved songs.
With Joe Basso on guitar and Ryan-Allen McKinney on bodhran, this talented duo has become a staple of the Mid-Atlantic Irish music scene. Experience their unique sound and discover why they're considered "probably the best guitar and bodhrán Irish-American duo in the DMV."
Below you will find Youtube clips of past performances, styles of events we can perform, reviews from people who have booked us in the past, a list of songs, and a list of venues and events O'McPub Band has performed. We look forward to booking with you.
The Rattlin’ Bog stands as the quintessential Irish "cumulative song"—a rhythmic test of memory that accelerates in speed, volume, and delightful chaos with every new verse.
Although its precise origin remains a mystery, similar cumulative songs have been part of…
Read more
Gaelic Storm's "Kiss Me I'm Irish" is a celebration of Irish identity, humor, and heritage. Released on their 2004 album How Are We Getting Home?, the song cleverly weaves references to classic Irish folk songs like “Wild Rover” and…
Read more
"The Auld Triangle" is a foundational piece of Irish folk music, famously opening Brendan Behan's 1954 play, The Quare Fellow. This somber drama is set in Mountjoy Prison, chronicling the final hours before an execution. The song functions as…
Read moreHere is a playlist of short clips of past performances
Irish Song Shorts
“Did we have a good time? You bet our shamrocks we did! The songs were fun and we all got to sing along. Their voices blended so well and Ryan as the lead singer got the whole crowd involved by giving us word cues as when to sing along. We will never forget that night!” - Peg and Jim O'McPub Band fans
“Joe and Ryan were the BEST! They took the party from fun to epic. A great mix of Irish songs and other sing alongs that got the whole crowd hopping and swaying. They sounded soooo on point. Thank you for making the night so special.” - Chris M. Host of private event
Local Establishments: Pubs, breweries, or any local business can elevate their atmosphere with our adaptable repertoire and themed events.
Cultural Festivals & Community Events: We'll keep the energy high while infusing education on the history within our music.
House Parties: From backyard gatherings to intimate dinners, we set the perfect musical tone with crowd engagement and personalized set lists.
Private/Corporate Events: Create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, fostering connections and leaving a lasting impression.
Irish Wakes & Celebrations of Life: Honor your loved one's memory with heartfelt traditional Irish music, creating a meaningful and uplifting celebration.
After-Wedding Parties: Bring your guests together with lively Irish music, encouraging shared stories and a celebration of heritage.
We love to create memorable experiences with themed events and are happy to customize our setlist to your preferences! We have experience with the following themes, and are always open to new and creative ideas when booking us:
Irish Tunes: Our specialty! We know over 150 Irish folk and rebel songs and can share the meaning and history behind each one.
Non-Irish Songs: We can play plenty of folk and rock songs if you don't want an entirely Celtic vibe. We can play a few Irish tunes mixed in, or a completely non-Irish set.
Christmas/Holiday Tunes: We can liven up your holiday party with a mix of Irish and American Christmas songs!
Sea Shanties: Since Ireland is an island, we know many songs about the sea. These are perfect for events by the bay, naval academy graduations, or Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Train Tunes: We have a wide variety of train songs that honor the Irish immigrants who built and operated the railways that many American towns were founded on.
Drinking Songs: We have songs that tell the whole story of enjoying a drink, from the first sip to the last call!
Love Songs: We have many songs that celebrate love, even though a lot of them have sad endings. As they say, it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
“Just wanted to say a quick thank you! Happened upon your gig on my wife’s birthday. Really made the night special for us, as we both love Irish music. Hope to see you guys again in the future!” - Adam - O'McPub Band Fan
“It was great having you at our festival this year. We will definitely contact you for our 30th year in 2025. Keep the music and the fun of our Irish heritage alive.” - Michael Namsick, Chairman of the Riverfront Irish Festival
“O'McPub Band made our event absolutely awesome. From their communication and attention to details of the event, I can't recommend them enough. They were extremely easy to work with and accommodated all of our requests. The guys were warm and friendly with our guests and felt like friends by the time they left! I will absolutely hire them in the future. Great music by great guys-- 10/10 experience!” - Kat, private event host
“Had the pleasure of hearing you perform at the Irish reception a few nights ago. What a wonderful night it was and you both made it so special. Having attended the Irish events in the past I can assure you that your music is what made this one so special and memorable. You have an excellent repertoire and really enjoyed your music and interactions you had with the audience.” - Gary T., Attendee at private event
“O'McPub Band made Granny’s 104th birthday absolutely unforgettable! From the moment they arrived—right on time—they were a pleasure to work with. Communication was easy, and they truly listened to what we needed for our space. They adjusted beautifully and read the room perfectly. What really made the night special was how they personalized their setlist. Granny was absolutely beaming, singing and clapping along!! Their music created the perfect atmosphere, and their genuine energy made the celebration even more meaningful. On top of that, their pricing was fair, making them an easy choice for any event. I can’t recommend them enough!” - Kathleen - private event host
“OUTSTANDING! Joe and Ryan are phenomenal performers who truly lifted the spirits of everyone at my sons graduation. They are easy to work with and sent me suggestions and a play list prior to the big day. They are professional, talented and personable! Great Job! We feel very fortunate to have had you both for our special day!” - Sarah B., Private Party Host
“A professional duo that plays to the audience. They know their music and the Irish traditions but have a great contemporary feel. Everyone enjoys themselves when they play. Always on time in every way. I strongly recommend for any size venue.” - Ben Harper, Owner of My Dead Aunt's Books
“Thank you for a great show and for my wonderful scarf!! I can’t wait to see you all again. Thanks for being such a hospitable band!!” - Camille S. O'McPub Band fan
““We enjoyed this duo very much for our St Patrick's Day celebration. We planned to have them back as soon as we can because our residents just had a great time with them!” ” - Shannon Johnson, Manager of assisted living facility
““I had the pleasure of seeing O'McPub Band perform! It was SICK! The food was great, the beer was cold and the music was more fun than a pillow fight! My son had so much fun that he can't stop talking about the evening. The band's love for Irish music and entertaining a crowd is obvious and infectious! If you live in the DC area, you owe it to yourself to see them perform.” ” - Adisa G. O'McPub Band Fan
O'McPub Band performs over 100 shows a year. We have had the honor of sharing our music at many different locations for birthday parties, weddings, community events, and to support local businesses. Below is a list of many of the venues and events we've performed at since 2021.
Annapolis St. Patrick's Parade Annapolis, MD
Arrow Bicycle Hyattsville, MD
Babycat Brewing Co. Kensington, MD
Celtic House Arlington, VA
Baile Cask & Kettle Hagerstown, MD
Brian Boru Irish Restaurant Severna Park, MD
Brookeville Beer Farm Brookeville, MD
College Park Park Run College Park, MD
College Park Farmer's Market College Park, MD
Main Street Chestertown Chestertown, MD
DC Brau Washington, DC
Community Forklift Hyattsville, MD
Denizens Brewing Co. Riverdale and Silver Springs, MD
The Dubliner Washington, DC
Dynasty Brewery Leesburg, VA and Ashburn, VA
Dupont Little Flea Market Washington, DC
Education In Ireland Washington, DC
Exiles Bar Washington, DC
Galway Bay Irish Restaurant & Pub Annapolis, MD
Brentwood Porchfest Brentwood, MD
Harper's Ferry Brewing Co. Purcellville, VA
Guilford Hall Brewery, Baltimore, MD
City of Hyattsville Hyattsville, MD
Hyattsville Porchfest Hyattsville, MD
Institute of Study Abroad Ireland Washington, DC
Hyattsville Final Friday Hyattsville, MD
Kelsey's Restaurant, Irish Pub & Banquet Room Ellicott City, MD
Killarney House Davidsonville, MD
Kirwan's On The Wharf Washington, DC
The Limerick Pub Wheaton, MD
Lark Brewing Aldie, VA
Lone Oak Brewing Olney, MD
Maryland Meadworks Hyattsville, MD
My Dead Aunt's Books Hyattsville, MD
Molloy's Irish Pub Crofton, MD
Mully's Brewery Prince Frederick, MD
National War College Washington, DC
Murphy's Grand Irish Pub Alexandria, VA
National Night Out University Park, MD
O'Toole's Restaurant & Bar Richmond, VA
O'Gannigans Irish Pub Prince Frederick, MD
Penn Social Washington, DC
Town of Riverdale Park Riverdale Park, MD
Riverdale Park Arts Riverdale Park, MD
Riverdale Farmer's Market Riverdale Park, MD
Riverfront Irish Festival Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Saints Row Brewing Gaithersburg, MD
The Saloon on U Street Washington, DC
Samuel Beckett's Irish Gastro Pub Arlington, VA
Sangfroid Distilling Hyattsville, MD
Sommerset Retirement Community Sterling, Virginia
Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Hyattsville, MD
Solace Outpost, Navy Yard Washington, DC
Stan & Joe's Saloon Annapolis, MD
Maryland Special Olympics Hyattsville, MD
Thick-n-Thin Brewing Co. Hagerstown, MD
Town Center Market Riverdale Park, MD
Tribute at Black Hills Germantown, MD
True Respite Brewing Company Rockville, MD
UP Porchfest University Park, MD
Trusty's Pub Washington, DC
Virginia Brewery Running Series Herndon, VA
Wheaton Arts Parade Wheaton, MD
Zinnia Silver Spring, MD
