THE 2 Johnnies have become so popular north of the border that they are set to headline a major festival in Belfast next month.
It follows their sold-out Pints In A Field 3 show in St Anne’s Park in June and a New York gig on Saturday.
The Cahir comedy duo will then play their biggest ever gig in Northern Ireland as a headline act at the Farmer’s Bash Weekender in front of an expected 40,000 crowd.
It marks an incredible rise to fame for the pair – Johnny ‘Smacks’ McMahon and Johnny ‘B’ O’Brien – who are now firmly established as among Ireland’s most popular podcasters.
Since their soaraway success, they have had hit shows on TV and radio, such as RTE’s Late Night Lock In and their highly-rated 2FM radio gig which they left last year.
They’ve also had a number one album, Small Town Heroes, but they told the Irish Sun last year they had to find more of a work and life balance as they became in demand.
Johnny B described it as “manic” while Johnny Smacks added: “We had foot to the floor working pretty much seven days a week, most weeks.
“So other things probably suffered and now we’re happy.
“We loved every minute of the radio and we won’t ever close the door on radio.”
The 2 Johnnies are top of the bill on the Saturday night of the Farmer’s Bash festival and the type of audience is expected to lean more towards punters from the rural community across Ireland north and south – something that chimes with their own outlook.
Johnny B said: “We feel like across different mediums we are still on the same crusade, we are representing our constituency of country people, whose accents you maybe don’t hear enough.
“With the topics we talk about on the podcast people say to us, ‘Jaysus lads it’s great to hear you talking about farming and road bowling and junior B hurling’, and whether we talk about that on the TV or on the radio or on the podcast we are still on the same path.”
RURAL CELEBRATION
Now they are bringing the laughter to Farmer’s Bash — an event celebrating rural and agricultural traditions through live music, comedy, great food and family-friendly fun.
As well as the boys, other big-name acts they are sharing the bill with include Kaiser Chiefs, The Coronas, Boyzlife, B*Witched and Garron Noone.
And barmy activities lined up include the Piggy 500 pig racing, Ireland’s Strongest Farmer competition, the Husband Calling championships and the Big Tractor Showdown.
Johnny B added: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our show to Belfast – after the energy at St Anne’s Park, we know this will be the perfect way to top off the summer”.
- The 2 Johnnies headline the Saturday night at the Farmer’s Bash two-day extravaganza on August 9 and 10 at Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast. For more information on the event and to buy tickets, visit farmersbash.com
