The Music Trail gig everyone wanted to be at
No Fee for Reproduction Rebecca Harkin performs in Grand Central Bar as part of the Other Voices free music trail across Derry~Londonderry as part of the 2013 UK City of Culture. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 8.2.13
The ‘wee church on the walls’ was jam-packed on Saturday afternoon with music-loving fans who had flocked to see the line-up on one of the Other Voices free Music Trail gigs.
A stellar cast including Meadbh McGinley, Ard Ri, Little Bear and Balkan Alien Sound was always going to get the crowds but no-one expected what happened next.
In fact, St Augustine’s was full to bursting, with a queue stretching back from the porch to Derry’s walls, all in the hope that someone would leave so they too could get in.
And for anyone lucky enough to bag a coveted seat then the performers didn’t disappoint.
Meadbh’s haunting voice and perfect piano playing was fitting for the venue, which carried her voice high into the rafters, putting a smile on the faces of those watching.
And if it was a more upbeat tune you were after then Ard Ri stepped up to the mark. With effortless guitar rhythms and a man on a banjo, their infectious lyrics and personalities had the crowd bopping in their seats.
The queue out the door however, was no doubt reserved for Little Bear. A local band making their mark on the local music scene, the foursome provided a set that would rival any ‘big’ name on the music scene nationally, if not globally.
They had those fortunate enough to be inside on their feet in a rapturous final applause and it came as no surprise to hear that they were to fill in for Two Door Cinema Club at Sunday night’s Glassworks show when their lead singer was struck down with acute laryngitis.
It was a major coup for the band who are in their infancy but Phillip King, the Other Voices creator and executive producer said, “I saw Little Bear play in St. Augustine’s on the walls of Derry, there were queues outside to see them. There, without doubt, is a band of the future. Other Voices is thrilled to take them on to the main stage of the Glassworks, continuing the project’s tradition of giving a voice and a platform to emerging talent.”
Finishing up the gig at St Augustine’s were a band that are regulars on the Derry music scene, Balkan Alien Sound. Replicating music from the Balkan states, with a lead singer with a beautiful voice, they were the perfect end to a hectic afternoon of music.
And if the word on the street is anything to go by, the gig at St Augustine’s was the ‘one to be at’ ... and it will be the one in years to come about which people will boast, ‘I was there!’
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Weather for Derry
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
