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Eagle's Rock Valley, Draperstown, Tomorrow (Saturday 23rd)
The “small, but massive” annual Glasgowbury Music Festival returns tomorrow to its spiritual home of Eagle’s Rock Valley in the Sperrins, near Draperstown. The brainchild of Paddy Glasgow, the embryonic event was originally conceived in 2000 as a one-off fundraiser gig for a local cancer charity and has since grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor musical events.
As well as the annual flagship concert, the Glasgowbury Music Group has a strong all year-round presence on the local music scene, organising various activities and services ranging from songwriting workshops to animation masterclasses.
This year’s festival includes several innovations to the programme, with a new focus on family-friendly activities including face-painters, swingball, dance classes, samba drummers and stilt walkers, with the Beat Carnival on hand offering handy survival tips on banner making and redesigning your wellies.
Another addition to the bill will be the inaugural Comedy Stage, headlined by Father Ted star Joe Rooney, plus contributions from the cream of Irish laugh merchants John Colleary, Colin Geddis, Micky Barlett, Adam Laughlin and Sean Hegarty.
The all-important music stages play host to over 50 live acts representing just about every hue of the musical spectrum, ranging from noisebringers Mojo Fury, Axis Of, Pocket Billiards and The Rupture Dogs, to slightly more sedate acts such as John D’Arcy, Derry’s Paddy Nash, Aaron Shanley and Katie and The Carnival. Headliners include The Answer (above), Lafaro, Foy Vance and Cashier #9, while fans of electronica will be entertained by Phil Kieran, Boxcutter and The Deep Fried Funk DJs.
Tickets priced at £30 (£40 including camping facilities) are available from www.hmvtickets.com
