Ronnie Wood joins Van Morrison on stage at Páirc Festival in Kings Heath, Birmingham

Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood joins Van Morrison as surprise guest at Birmingham Irish music and culture event Páirc Festival at the Irish Centre in Kings Heath, Birmingham

By Fionnuala Bourke
Published 27th Aug 2023

Thousands turned out to enjoy the second Páirc Festival at the Irish Centre in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Van Morrison was the headliner for day one, yesterday (Saturday, August 26), and Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones made a surprise appearance alongside the Irish singer renowned for his hits Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance and Gloria.

Ronnie’s wife Sally is from Moseley and he previously played with Van at the Sandringham Estates concerts the night before on Friday (August 25). Blues and soul singer Chris Farlowe also joined the stars, he is best known for his hit single Out of Time written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards which made it to number one in 1966.

Fans were delighted with the surprise double bill after enjoying a day of Irish music and culture from Mary Black, Mary Coughlan and Derek Ryan alongside local heroes The Father Teds and Bang On the Ear. There were also cheers for a welcome announcement that a full St Patrick’s Day Parade is returning to Birmingham next year. Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser was among the guests, with Conor McGregor Forged Irish Stout exclusively available for the first time outside his bar in Dublin in the VIP area.

The craic continues today, Sunday (August 27), with The Waterboys headlining alongside Nathan Carter, The Fureys, The High Kings and more. You can see the full line up in our story here: Pairc Festival Line Up - with tickets still available here: Pairc Festival tickets

[www.birminghamworld.uk]

--


Christina Wall

[www.facebook.com]

With Chris Farlowe


[www.facebook.com]

Audio of "This Loving Light Of Mine", August 26 - [www.instagram.com]

Video (thanks to Monica Morrin) - [www.facebook.com]

--

Although the Birmingham World article says Ronnie also guested at Sandringham on August 25, there's no mention of him in this review - [stairwayto11.com]

Bloody hell I was going to go to this, just 2 miles from me.

Said to my wife I wouldn’t mind seeing van again.

Van is one of the all time greats

Not a young audience!

***
I'm just a Bad Boy Boogie

Gotta love Ronnie.

Thank you @vanmorrisonofficial for a great night at Birmingham’s @paircfestival! It was fantastic to play with you and our friend @chrisfarlowethefilm

[www.instagram.com]



What a great night with @vanmorrisonofficial! Also lovely to be on stage with our friend @chrisfarlowethefilm Loved it!

[www.instagram.com]

Of course I don't know either man personally but it's hard to imagine two more different personalities than Ronnie and Van.

Quote
HonkyTonkJan
Of course I don't know either man personally but it's hard to imagine two more different personalities than Ronnie and Van.

Right?(!)

I was thinking the same--Van hardly likes anyone, and doesn't like to be touched - he must really think Ronnie is ok. Maybe because they are so different.

-swiss

Quote
swiss

Quote
HonkyTonkJan
Of course I don't know either man personally but it's hard to imagine two more different personalities than Ronnie and Van.

Right?(!)

I was thinking the same--Van hardly likes anyone, and doesn't like to be touched - he must really think Ronnie is ok. Maybe because they are so different.

-swiss

I think both being sober, in the same Anonymous recovery program(s) is a big factor for their friendship. Could be wrong, but that's my bet.

They were both participants in The Band’s Last Waltz, so their paths have crossed at least since Thanksgiving Day, 1976. That they are still here sharing a stage, nearly 47 years later, is a wonder. The caravan keeps rolling!

Possibly Van's greatest ever live performance! At least that's recorded. Nearly spat my beer out when he started doing those high kicks at the front of the stage.
Have seen him live several times and it's been a mixed bag. He is consistently grumpy though....

Quote
MisterDDDD

Quote
swiss

Quote
HonkyTonkJan
Of course I don't know either man personally but it's hard to imagine two more different personalities than Ronnie and Van.

Right?(!)

I was thinking the same--Van hardly likes anyone, and doesn't like to be touched - he must really think Ronnie is ok. Maybe because they are so different.

-swiss

I think both being sober, in the same Anonymous recovery program(s) is a big factor for their friendship. Could be wrong, but that's my bet.

MisterDDDD,
Could be - good guess!
(I didn't realize Van was a FOB.)
-swiss

Van's catalog is a powerhouse. He is one of the world's greatest singers, and performers. There is a 30 year period or roughly 35 albums; new material every time. Stellar.
Wtf is going on with Ronnie's hair-do? Lately, when I see him in pics, I say "Ok this is a weird shot". But now I realize, they're all weird.

Quote
Palace Revolution 2000
Van's catalog is a powerhouse. He is one of the world's greatest singers, and performers. There is a 30 year period or roughly 35 albums; new material every time. Stellar.
Wtf is going on with Ronnie's hair-do? Lately, when I see him in pics, I say "Ok this is a weird shot". But now I realize, they're all weird.

After chemo his bangs turned upwards it seems

Quote
swiss

Quote
MisterDDDD

Quote
swiss

Quote
HonkyTonkJan
Of course I don't know either man personally but it's hard to imagine two more different personalities than Ronnie and Van.

Right?(!)

I was thinking the same--Van hardly likes anyone, and doesn't like to be touched - he must really think Ronnie is ok. Maybe because they are so different.

-swiss

I think both being sober, in the same Anonymous recovery program(s) is a big factor for their friendship. Could be wrong, but that's my bet.

MisterDDDD,
Could be - good guess!
(I didn't realize Van was a FOB.)
-swiss

Long time FOB I believe swiss..since mid eighties.
Be a hell of a meeting to stumble into.. Ronnie, Van, Clapton, Ringo, Elton.. I think Clapton is Ronnie's sponsor, wouldn't surprise me if Van is Clapton's.