06/12/25 Saw Doctors 7pm, Apollo Manchester

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The Saw Doctors, who are led by the band’s songwriting duo, Davy Carton (lead vocals) and Leo Moran (electric guitar), have recently welcomed back one of their founding members, Pearse Doherty, on bass guitar, vocals, penny whistle and wooden flute. The eight-man band lineup features Anthony Thistlethwaite, formerly of The Waterboys, on saxophone and longtime members Rickie O’Neill (drums), Kieran Duddy (keyboards and accordion), Tommy Carton (backing vocals) and Noelie McDonnell (guitar and backing vocals)   

Discovered by Mike Scott of The Waterboys on a stormy Tuesday night in the Quay’s Bar, Galway in the late 1980s, The Saw Doctors grew quickly, touring Ireland and the UK, including a six-week stint with The Waterboys on the Fisherman’s Blues tour in 1989. 

The Saw Doctors second single, ‘I Useta Lover’ was a surprise Number One hit in Ireland in September 1990 - thirty-five years ago - remaining top of the charts for nine weeks. 

“Born into a repressed, catholic, conservative, small-town, agrarian, angst-ridden & showband infested society, The Saw Doctors are trying to preserve the positive elements of our Irish background and marry them to the sounds which have culturally invaded our milieu through TV, radio, social media, 45’s, fast food restaurants, 24-hour petrol stations & electric blankets”. - Leo Moran, The Saw Doctors