Lawson & The Racket are an alternative roots band based in Kilkenny. Born when songwriter David Lawson Froggatt was encouraged to return to writing and playing music by friend Liam Hennessy (who plays bass in the band). The rest of the band are formed around brothers Karol and John Ryan (guitar and drums) and Alan Gannon (rhythm guitar). Regularly found playing together informally in Cleere’s Kilkenny over the last 18 months, they made their formal debut to a packed, sold-out crowd at Kilkenny Roots 2026.
David “Davie” Lawson Froggatt is a Welsh-born, Irish-based songwriter, vocalist and guitarist whose intimate fingerpicked style has drawn comparisons to Nick Drake and Bob Dylan.
Since releasing his debut Konichiwa? in 2007, he has recorded two further albums and toured extensively across the Netherlands and Benelux. As principal songwriter with Lawson & The Racket, Davie brings a wealth of writing and touring experience to the band. Away from music, he is a former product designer and now works as a school teacher.
Karol Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, graphic designer and photographer. A former member of ska outfit Bocs Social, he has also contributed guitar and brass to recordings by Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band and The Lo Fis.
A founding member of Lawson & The Racket, Karol contributes guitar, brass arrangements and the band’s visual identity, drawing on his background in music, design and photography.
Liam Hennessey is a bassist and long-standing presence on the Irish independent music scene, best known as a co-founding member of The Lo Fis. His years with the band helped shape their distinctive sound across numerous recordings and live performances.
In Lawson & The Racket, Liam brings a steady, instinctive approach to the rhythm section, underpinned by a fifteen-year musical partnership with Alan Gannon.
John Ryan brings over forty years of drumming experience to Lawson & The Racket. Performing since 1990, he has played extensively across Ireland and abroad, with a long history of live, festival and studio work.
In the band, John provides the rhythmic foundation while also helping manage logistics, scheduling and the practical side of keeping the project moving.
Alan Gannon is a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter with fifteen years’ experience fronting Kilkenny indie outfit The Lo Fis. Over that time, he developed a strong background in writing, recording and live performance across Ireland.
In Lawson & The Racket, Alan brings vocal harmonies, rhythmic guitar and arrangement ideas, adding depth and energy to the band’s alternative roots sound.
