The countdown is now on to the opening of Antrim's first dedicated Music Festival with the Festival Guide now released and bookings rolling in for the wide range of events reaching the 4 Corners of Antrim Borough from 6 - 18 October. MADD have pulled out all the stops to present big names and rising stars at gigs in hotels, bars, cafes, church halls and schools, as well as Clotworthy Arts Centre, and in many cases have managed to persuade the musicians taking part to facilitate masterclasses to pass on their expertise to others. Everything kicks off with the opening of an exhibition of photographs by IONA BATEMAN at CASTLE UPTON GALLERY, TEMPLEPATRICK on Monday 6 October at 7.30pm. Iona has been at the forefront of rock photography in Northern Ireland for some years, featuring in Kerrang!, NME and Hot Press and captures the essence of her subjects, the feeling of the crowd and overall her love of the music. The exhibition continues until Saturday 18 October 2008, and the gallery is open 9am - 5pm or by appointment on 028 9443 3480. Admission is free. Also watch out for the following:
PUSHBORDERS at MADDENS BAR, ANTRIM on Saturday 11 October at 8.30pm. This exciting new band provides for a fusion of elements from local bands, Red Sirus and Patio Sounds - having emerged through the MADD ranks in the early noughties. Band members have previously toured with artists such as Snow Patrol and Elbow as well as scoring a much coveted Radio 1 session, all this without having an official release to their name. Special guest on the evening is Belfast based singer/songwriter Justin Grant, who is a regular visitor to MADD House Studios. Tickets: £5. ROBIN JAMES HURT & THE BAND OF MOONLIGHT LOVE at MCKENNA'S BAR, ALDERGROVE, CRUMLIN, on Friday 17 October at 8pm.
Born in Belfast, raised in Scotland, living in Dublin and now landed on the shores of Lough Neagh for this local gig, Robin James Hurt plays guitar like a 'demon gadgie' (Edinburgh slang)! Robin brings a unique re-interpretation of a wide collection of folksongs making modern diffusions of the originals. His debut solo EP, "The Spider's Legs", was released in March 2007 and his first solo album will be released in autumn 2008. He will be joined on stage for this show by Mick Morris (mandolin, vocal, guitar) and Ian McTigue (bodhran, percussion) and admission is free. The Festival finally winds down with TASTE, supported by Copper Blue (reformed especially for the night) at PARK PLAZA HOTEL, ANTRIM on Saturday 18 October at 7.30pm. One of Ireland's best known blues bands, Taste, formed in 1967 by Rory Gallagher, soon met with wide acclaim in their hometown of Cork and subsequently headed for London where they were an immediate success. Perhaps their most notable performance came in 1970 as part of the Isle of White Festival alongside such performers as Jimi Hendrix and The Who. They split in 1970, but, in August 2006, drummer John Wilson made Taste active once again, joined by Richie McCracken and MADD's very own Sam Davidson. Tickets are £10/ £8 concession. Also being launched during the Festival is THE JIM GILCHRIST MUSIC MAKER AWARD that will be bestowed annually on a local musician who has demonstrated a significant level of achievement in their chosen area. The recipient of this prestigious new award will be selected by MADD's team of music tutors and will be announced at the Festival Finale where they will receive a specially commissioned perpetual trophy and a bursary award of £250. The late Jim Gilchrist was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Musicians of Antrim District Development (MADD) Group and served as Chairperson to the group for over 6 years. Hundreds of young people and older musicians alike have benefited from his legacy and will continue to do so for many years to come, so MADD's Board of Directors are delighted to have the co-operation and support of the Gilchrist family to announce the creation of this special award. For further information call MADD House Studios on 028 9446 9669 or check out the Festival website at www.4cornersmusicfestival.com To book your tickets call the ticket hotline on 028 9448 1486. Supported by the Dept of Culture, Arts & Leisure & Antrim Borough Council through the Community Festivals Fund |
