2024: A Year in Retrospect

The year 2024 proved to be a significant milestone for Amadans, marking two decades since the band’s inception in 2004. Their schedule quickly became filled with various engagements, as this year saw Amadans elevate their musical endeavors to new heights.

In January, the band recorded their inaugural full-length album at Groundbreaking Sound Studios in La Crosse, Wisconsin, collaborating with sound engineers Jesse Wolf and Travis Allen. This experience was not only educational but also filled with enjoyable moments. They are already anticipating a return to the studio in 2025 to begin work on their second album.

March consistently remains a bustling month for Amadans. They commenced the “Seven Drunken Nights” celebration at Frank O’ Dowd’s Irish Pub in Galena, Illinois. The St. Patrick’s weekend was spent in Elroy, Wisconsin, at Madden’s Irish Pub, followed by performances at the Freighthouse in La Crosse after the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and their debut at The Brick Sip Haus in Tomah, Wisconsin. The celebratory weekend concluded at the Old Oak Inn, Bed & Breakfast and Acorn Lounge in Soldiers Grove.

The official launch of their album ‘Across the Rolling Sea’ featured two release parties in July. A soft launch was held for fans in the Soldiers Grove area, succeeded by a release event at Bodega Brew Pub in La Crosse the subsequent weekend. The band unveiled new merchandise inspired by the album’s maritime theme, allowing fans to support them through the purchase of T-shirts, stickers, and CDs. Additionally, Amadans participated in a live radio show with Jay Hoffman on WDRT in Viroqua, a local station with a robust streaming presence. They promoted their new album, upcoming festivals and performed live renditions of some of their favorite tracks from the album.

August was filled with vibrant festivals. Amadans returned to Irishfest La Crosse, where they supported their beloved dance group, ClogJam. Their performance was exceptional, even in the absence of Finnian. Casey Barth, an extraordinary mandolin player and one of the founding members of Amadans, stepped in to enhance the sound. The combined energy of ClogJam and Amadans resonated throughout the tent, prompting the audience to clap and tap along during the entire set.

During the third weekend of August, Amadans made their debut on the main stage at Larryfest, one of the region’s premier bluegrass festivals. ClogJam dancers joined them for their performance. The atmosphere that night was electric; the crowd, the lights, and the magic created a memorable experience, with one attendee remarking, “Those guys are fun!” It was a privilege to perform at such a cherished and longstanding event.

In September, Amadans headlined the annual “Stepping Out in Pink” event in La Crosse, which has significantly expanded over the years. This event celebrates breast cancer survivors and honors those affected by the disease. Despite the rain, Amadans and ClogJam delivered an energetic performance. Amadans are eager to continue their support for this important cause in the future.

The year wrapped up with another performance at Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub in Galena. Experiencing Halloween in Galena is truly special, and Amadans are excited to return for Halloween 2025!