Michael Gallagher is looking forward to appearing at The Ships 2023 between July 6-9. Paul Fraser chatted with the rising star to hear how he is feeling ahead of the event.

As rising star Michael Gallagher gazed across Hartlepool Marina, he tried to recall what it was like for him the last time the Tall Ships Races headed to town when he was a teenage schoolboy.

“All I can remember really is buying some fudge,” joked Michael. “I went down there with a few friends from school, seeing the big ships and watching one band during the day, I don’t think it was Ocean Colour Scene!”

Fast-forward 13 years, and now aged 26, Hartlepool’s extremely talented singer-songwriter is picturing another scene this summer when he will perform at Tall Ships Hartlepool 2023 on Saturday, July 8.

Michael, who performed in front of a sell-out 450-strong crowd at the Town Hall recently, has developed a strong following over the last six years and he can’t wait to appear with his band at one of the UK’s largest free events of the year in his hometown this summer.

He said: “I’m proud to be from this town and I’m always proud to perform here, so it will be an honour to represent Hartlepool at the Tall Ships Races when the likes of Maximo Park will be performing.

“Whenever there is something big going on it is always nice as someone looking to grow to be part of. I just vaguely remember the last time and how the town had not seen anything like it before.”

Michael will be playing his own stuff, including latest singles Hannah, Teach Me How to Swim and Summer Girl.

He said: “If you’d have asked me back then if I’d be playing on a big stage the next time the Tall Ships came to Hartlepool I’d have laughed. Now though, having been gigging, going further and further afield, it’s going to be huge and something I want to be part of.”

His musical journey started when he received a guitar for Christmas, around the time when the Tall Ships Races last visited Hartlepool in 2010 when he attended English Martyrs school.

After his nana “Babs” gave him CDs like David Bowie and the Rolling Stones to put on his iPod Classic he started to take music more seriously, with his mam (Angela), dad (Michael) and three younger sisters (Emily, Kate and Beth) all made to regularly listen to his developing talent.

In 2016/17 Michael Jnr started to play in local pubs most weekends, and he has had Will Hamilton, Jake Hopkins, Matty Nicholson in his band for years.

“It has meant the world to grow,” said Michael, who has played in festivals, London and the Isle of Wight too.

“As a musician, the support I have always had here in Hartlepool has been fantastic.

“It is a town of around 90,000 people, so for me to be able to sell-out the Town Hall with 450 as an unsigned artist is something that doesn’t normally happen. I’m so grateful because there are a lot of good musicians to come from this town.”

From 50-cap Hartlepool venues such as Idols or the Fisherman’s Arms to the Town Hall, Tall Ships Races and beyond. Michael wants to keep going – and he has a loyal connection with Hartlepool United fans too.

As a keen local footballer, who plays in the Hartlepool Sunday League for Vibes, he is also a regular in the Mill House Stand at Pools. His beloved team has even walked out to his music and used him for the season card promotional video.

There are sure to be Hartlepool supporters in attendance when he performs in front of 40 Tall Ships along with other artists such as iconic reggae band The Wailers and emerging talents such as Holy Moly & The Crackers, The Young Un’s, She Drew the Gun, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra.

Michael, who studied at Hartlepool College of Further Education, said: “I have been going to Pools since I was eight. Music, football and beer – that’s my three things!

“There is an artist called Jamie Webster who has close links to Liverpool. I have a similar connection with some Pools fans, albeit on a smaller scale obviously! It’s nice that the club play my songs at half-time too.”

As well as singing and spending time at the Suit Direct Stadium, Michael also has his day job as a maintenance technician to concentrate on.

Michael said: “I have had to graft for where I have got to so far. When people hear I’m from Hartlepool when I’m on stage, wherever it is, people can relate to that because we do work hard.

“You have to have a look ahead and the dream is to one day do it professionally. Hopefully we are not too far away. Being from up here you have to work twice as hard but I’m going to keep going and see where it takes us – after the Tall Ships.”

Caption: Michael Gallagher relaxes at Hartlepool Marina, close to where he will be performing this summer. Pictures: Chris Booth