Tennents Vital: The stage is set for a festival to remember

By Maureen Coleman – 23 August 2011

Tens of thousands of music fans will be heading to Bangor's Ward Park over the next two days for the eagerly-awaited return of Tennents Vital.

Following a four-year absence from Northern Ireland's social calendar, the popular outdoor festival is back, kicking off tonight with headline act The Script.

The Irish trio will be supported by Ellie Goulding, The Wombats and local lads Two Door Cinema Club.

But the highlight of the two-day event will undoubtedly be the Ulster debut of controversial US rapper Eminem.

Ahead of tonight and tomorrow night's concerts promoters MCD are urging gig-goers to avail of public transport, to plan their travel arrangements in advance and to respect the residents of Bangor.

A half-hourly train service will operate from Great Victoria Street/Belfast Central Station to the seaside town throughout the day and special rail shuttle services will provide return travel from Bangor to Belfast following the concert until 12.45am, with onward connections to Carrickfergus, Lisburn, Portadown and Coleraine.

Special festival coaches will also run from various locations across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Londonderry, Omagh, Coleraine, Armagh, Newry, Ballymena, Portadown, Banbridge, Lisburn and Antrim that are available to book online up until 1pm on the day of each concert.

North Down mayor James McKerrow said there was "immense and growing excitement" about the concerts.