AN OLDHAM musician at last got the chance to perform his rock band’s debut album in front of fans on Sunday.

Ian Gallagher, from Fitton Hill, made a long-awaited return to the stage along with bandmates Jon Olphert, Haydn Maguire and Tommy Stretton at Legends Live Lounge.

Bassist Gallagher and lead singer and rhythm guitarist Olphert, from Northern Ireland, met in the Royal Air Force in Iraq in 2008.

The pair were in different bands at the time, but decided to form a band of their own – Gallaher’s Green.

They were joined in January 2020 by drummer Haydn Maguire and lead guitarist Tommy

Stretton, but the band’s ambitions were soon stopped due to coronavirus.

However, the band’s sold out but socially distanced show went down a storm at the weekend, with fans travelling from as far as Derby and Nottingham to see them perform songs from debut album ‘Lucky 13’.

Olphert said: "It was amazing to finally get on a stage.

“The crowd loved it, we loved it.

“It just felt great to be up there.''

Stretton added: "Our debut album has been out for five months and until now we've not had a chance to play it live.

“The audience was absolutely electric.”

‘Lucky 13’ was released in February and has been given airtime on independent radio stations across the UK as well as in America, Australia and South Africa, with more than 25,000 streams recorded on all platforms.

A follow-up album, 'Dare To Dream', is set to be recorded in August.

Gallaher’s Green have more performances lined up at The Spinning Top in Stockport on June 26, Retro Bar in Manchester on August 13 and at Burnley Live on September 4.

You can keep up with the band on Facebook (Gallaher’s Green), Instagram (@gallahersgreen) and Twitter (@GallahersG), as well as on their website.