originally published: 11/06/2025
(BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- Socks in the Frying Pan, the high-energy Irish traditional trio from Ennis, County Clare known for infusing virtuosic musicianship with humor, charisma, and a palpable passion for their roots, gives a one-night-only holiday concert on Friday, December 12, 2025 at Roy’s Hall. The show is part of the band’s US holiday tour celebrating their fifth full-length album, Waiting for Inspiration. Showtime is 8:00pm.
“I think this is my favorite album yet,” band member Shane Hayes said. “We’ve infused all the energy, explosiveness, and drive that our audience has come to expect from our live shows into original tracks that we are very proud of. As we celebrate a decade together as a band, we dedicate this album to our friends and fans that have stuck with us along the way - this one’s for you and we can’t wait to share it on the road this December!”
Critically acclaimed as “Live Band of the Year” at the 2020 Celtic Music Awards, Socks in the Frying Pan celebrates 11 years of music making in 2025. Their latest album, Waiting for Inspiration, presents 11 brand new tracks featuring band members Aodán Coyne (guitar and lead vocals), Shane Hayes (accordion, keyboard, guitar and vocals), Fiachra Hayes (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, bodhrán and vocals) along with special guest artists “The Sockettes” (singers Lee Coyne, Nicole Daly, Willy Anne Wijnja), John Bridge (bass), and Mike Shimmin (drums).
Tickets are $36 and available for purchase online. Roy’s Hall is located at 30 Main Street in Blairstown, New Jersey.
Highlights of Waiting for Inspiration include new tunes composed and performed by Shane Hayes like Willy Anne’s Waltz, The Ballerina reel, and more; the Beetlejuice-inspired track Beetlejig Beetlejig Beetlejig! featuring The Sockettes and Dead Choir; and song Shoot the Arrow featuring vocals by Aodán Coyne, who Folk World has described as “a traditional singer who is capable of continuing the Irish song tradition and joining the ranks of the great Irish vocalists.”
Waiting for Inspiration is the Socks’ fifth full-length album, following Socks in the Frying Pan (2012), Return of the Giant Sock Monsters from Outer Space (2015), Without a Paddle (2016), and Raw & Ríl (Live) (2019).
Socks in the Frying Pan, a multi-award-winning trio from Ennis, County Clare, Ireland—the mecca of Irish traditional music—was formed in 2014. Forged together by a fire of pure joy and passion for their art, the band comprises Aodán Coyne on guitar and lead vocals, Shane Hayes on accordion, and younger brother Fiachra Hayes on fiddle.
Their ‘Socks Sound’ combines virtuosic musicianship with a burning passion for the music and tradition, pitch-perfect harmonies, and a big splash of quick wit and banter. Their electrifying performances and on-stage charm have established them as the kingpins on the Irish Traditional Music scene today.
They have toured extensively, capturing hearts in 46 US states, dozens of countries, and every continent, showcasing at renowned festivals such as the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, Electric Picnic in Ireland, Tønder Festival in Denmark, and the world-famous New Orleans Jazz Festival.
