Franklin, NH
1/31/26
While the Waterhorse is still a relatively new pub, it’s quickly gained renown as New Hampshire’s best Irish pub, winning the title by WMUR-TV’s Viewer poll. In addition to being the spot for a fine pour of Guinness, it’s also becoming known as one of the top music venues in the area, drawing all kinds of acts. Tonight Andrew Mason McIntosh takes the stage. He is backed by a full band of skilled performers. He croons and ladies swoon, and has the whole bar singing along in no time. He splits his carefully crafted originals, the crowd favorite’s being a humorous one about a tale of finding a bathroom in a Mexican bar, between well known covers of modern pop songs. It’s a delightful performance. Andrew seems right at home on stage, in his element. He is a rising talent and with the closing of his set, he’s won over a new group of fans.
As the night rolls on, Will Hatch and Co. take the stage. The band is fired up and from their first chord, they dive right in and are totally crushing it. The music is expertly played; Will and his band nail every note, from fiery bluegrass solos to bluesy barroom sing-alongs. Will reminds me of a sharply dressed Hayes Carll in both his voice and songwriting. When you think you’ve seen enough, their piano player, Taylor Pearson, jumps up and grabs a guitar or sings a song while Jon Cheney holds it down on bass and Brian Peasley hammers things out on the drums like a master carpenter. Will throws in a bit of banjo here and there for good measure and if this band wasn’t multi-talented enough, Will brings his wife, Lindsay, on stage who takes the mic and blows away the room with a Patsy Cline cover. If by the end of the night, your toes aren’t tapping along to this band, you should get checked out by a doctor. (Kier Byrnes)