The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican

The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican’s 20th Anniversary Tour

Put on yer finest knitted gladrags, style your barnet, put on your dancing shoes and bring your finest singing voices, as we cordially invite you to witness the Greatest Show On Earth (in tank-tops). Founded in Barnsley Rock City in 2006 by their outspoken and energetic ringleader, Scott Doonican, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Far from being your typical folk ensemble, this cult-like collective of like-minded knit-wear enthusiasts are determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive.

Scott and his brothers-from-other-mothers, Mo-Jo Doonican, Dave Doonican and the Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Rickenbacker Doonican III, have quite the talent for Bar-Stewardizing other famous people’s songs with new satirical comedy lyrics, on folk instruments. To complete their outrageously understated image, the Doonicans have become instantly recognisable in festival fields and venues up and down the country for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of sexy knitwear, and instantly memorable for their lairy, no-holds-barred, anarchic live shows.

A group that is both perpetually on the move, ever-evolving and joyously independent, they have played over 1400 side-splitting shows to date, and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK; from Barnsley to Barnstaple, from Glastonbury to Glasgow. They continue to wow audiences with a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “The Lady In Greggs”, “The Devil Went Darn To Barnsley”, “How Deep Is Your Glove?”, “Paint ’em Back”, “Goat Yoga”, and “Turkey Teeth”. 2026 sees the band celebrating two decades of making merry, and they have plans to leave fans sore from laughing.

The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican can’t wait to bring the circus Otley for the first time ever, and they promise that they WILL rock you… but gently!

TESTIMONIALS

“The best thing to come out of Barnsley, since the A61 to Sheffield”
Jarvis Cocker, Pulp

“The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are very, very funny… parodists extraordinaire. One of the hardest working and best live acts on the planet”
Mike Harding, Comedian, Folk Musician & Broadcaster

“Always enjoy the boys from The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. When the North goes independent I am suggesting Too Good To Be Jus is our national anthem. Great fun”
Jason Manford, Comedian

“A ridiculous family of genius, hilarious, irresistible music makers, currently crowd-surfing to the bar and beyond, into the venues and music festivals of the UK. They’re quality. Long may they rock… but gently.”
Eliza Carthy MBE, Folk Musician

“The 8th wonder of the world is actually in Yorkshire… a wonderful Yorkshire genius collective known as The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. To see them is to know true magnificence”
Kate Rusby, Folk-Musician

“One of the hardest working bands around, great entertainers, and the best pastiche outfit I know of.”
Maartin Allcock, music producer and former member of Fairport Convention & Jethro Tull

“An act that you will want to see over and over again. Absolutely hilarious”
Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention

“Despite their plain and rather ordinary appearance, they are actually completely nuts. They are legends in their own tank-tops.”
Fuzz Townshend, TV presenter (National Geographic’s Car SOS) & former drummer with Pop Will Eat Itself & The Wonder Stuff

“Oh man! You guys look crazier than us!”
Wayne Coyne, frontman from six-time Grammy winners, The Flaming Lips

“Great guys. They ROCK!”
Graham Oliver, from Barnsley NWOBHM-legends Saxon

“The Doonicans put Barnsley on the map!!”
Dan Donnelly, The Levellers

“Titans of Tomfoolery. They have without question added a dimension to the cultural life of Barnsley.”
Dave Burland, Folk Musician

“Like The Barron Knights – on speed!”
The Staffordshire Sentinel

“The summit of musical comedy. Scott Doonican’s attention to detail is what sets the Doonicans ahead of all the contenders in this genre. These are lovingly crafted pastiches with tonnes of subtle layers”.
R n R Magazine