A BAND which has recently toured internationally with rock legend Rod Stewart is looking forward to coming to Carlisle later this year for a concert.

Johnny Mac and The Faithful, a Celtic rock band from Scotland, is still recovering from a long and intense worldwide tour with Rod Stewart but is gearing up to bring the energy seen by thousands across the world to the Old Fire Station on June 15, 2024.

Frontman John McLaughlin has had success as a songwriter, record producer, and manager.

He has written and produced seven number-one and over 25 top 10 singles worldwide including songs for Busted, 911, Westlife, Blue, Sandi Thom, and 5ive.

He’s also had hit success with the late Shane McGowen and featured as a songwriting coach on BBC’s Fame.

Following a tour for the band’s album Midnight Glasgow Rodeo released in 2022 which featured Rod Stewart on two songs – Pay Me My Money and Me Oh My, and three tours supporting Stewart, and supporting Michael Ball and Alfie Bow, The Fratellis, and ABBA, they’re hoping to bring their high-energy sounds of Celtic, rock, folk, and Americana music to audiences in North Cumbria.

John, while recovering from a night out with Rod the night before, spoke of the tours and his band: “It’s been incredible.

“Rod is the loveliest guy to be around, he treats us like stars.”

He explained that the union between the artists started as they were both fans of Celtic FC, with John having written some fan songs for the club and Rod commenting on the singer’s talent.

He then asked the band to tour with him with 10 weeks’ notice and performed on two songs on the latest album.

“We put the band together and off we went.

“I called a lot of great friends and put a great band together.

”I was frantically writing these songs and we had to do an hour of music before Rod came on,” John explained.

The tour was a great success for his reputation, and his music was heard by thousands of new fans.

He’s particularly looking forward to visiting Carlisle, a city he’s been to many times.

“I’ve been to Carlisle many times; one of the bands that started my career was 911, and I’ve been to many of the bars – we always have a great time.

“I was in Gallaghers having a lovely pint of Guinness and listening to the Pogues, it’s the closest thing to heaven,” he said.

Tickets for the gig are available on www.ofscarlisle.co.uk.