The Drowsy Lads

February 21st

For more than twenty years, The Drowsy Lads have been delighting audiences across the country with their joyful, high-spirited take on traditional Irish music. Rooted firmly in the old tunes, their performances are marked by energy, humor, and a genuine love of both the music and the people who come to hear it.

In 2018 the band released Everyone In, earning the title of “Best Irish American Band of the Year.” In 2024 they followed with a double-disc recording celebrating two decades of making music together — a heartfelt reflection of the friendships and shared history that define their sound.

The group features Ohio brothers John and Daniel McKewen, father and son Phil and Josh Franck, and lifelong friend Bryan Brookes. Together they deliver dance-driven sets filled with lively tunes, tender songs, and good-natured storytelling that resonate with longtime fans of traditional music and newcomers alike.

The Drowsy Lads regularly appear at Irish festivals throughout the Midwest and beyond, and have performed in theaters, concert halls, and with ensembles such as the Otterbein University Orchestra. Each member is a multi-instrumentalist, bringing a rich palette of fiddle, accordion, flute, whistle, banjo, bouzouki, uilleann pipes, concertina, bodhrán, and more.

While they enjoy creating their own arrangements — and even weaving in the occasional bluegrass or classical influence — the heart of The Drowsy Lads remains their deep devotion to the timeless Irish tunes, songs, and camaraderie that have carried this music across generations.
General Admission: 30.00
Join us in our bar area at 7pm before the show
Doors to the concert area open at 7:30pm
Music at 8PM

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Host or Publisher The Peninsula Foundation