A Sussex-born drummer is set to hit the stage at a major music festival this summer.
Haywards Heath-born Martin Winterstein-Smith will perform at the Fields of Éire Irish Music Festival in Liverpool as a member of Gibraltar-based band Thrifty Malone.
The festival, hosted at Newsham Park, will take place on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, with Thrifty Malone performing on the Saturday.
Fields of Éire is one of the UK’s leading celebrations of Irish music and culture, drawing thousands of fans each year.
The 2026 line-up includes headliners Nathan Carter and The Whistlin’ Donkeys, along with renowned acts such as Aslan, The Kilkennys, Highstool Prophets and Gary Óg.
Mr Winterstein-Smith plays a key role in Thrifty Malone as both drummer and producer, and has also written original material for the band, including the track Back In Killarney.
Thrifty Malone, a four-piece band from Gibraltar, blend Irish, folk and country influences into their energetic live shows.
They have built a solid reputation across Gibraltar, Spain and the UK, earning praise for both their dynamic performances and original songs.
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Mr Winterstein-Smith said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to be part of Fields of Éire.
“It’s a huge festival with an incredible line-up, and to be included in that is something we’re really proud of.
“We can’t wait to get to Liverpool and bring our show to the Saturday crowd.”
The band has appeared alongside notable artists including Richard Thompson, Finbar Furey, Steve Harley and Eddi Reader.
They recently collaborated with Steve Wickham of The Waterboys, adding to their growing list of achievements.
Their appearance at Fields of Éire is a milestone in the band’s rise on the festival circuit.
It promises to be an opportunity to introduce their sound to a wider audience and perform alongside some of the biggest names in Irish music.
Fields of Éire 2026 is set to be a major event, offering two days of music and celebration in Liverpool.
For Thrifty Malone, it’s a chance to make a lasting impression at one of the UK’s premier Irish music festivals.