Strabane’s Gerard i2 in T Vital slot to support the Stone Roses
Gerard i2 who will be supporting the Stone Roses at Tennet's Vital tomorrow evening. (gerard i2)
Strabane rap artist Gerard i2 is set to support The Stone Roses at Tennent’s Vital tomorrow and even though he is playing the second day of the festival, he couldn’t get his hands on tickets for tonight’s Foo Fighters’ show.
“It is probably just as well that I have a fresh head on me for my own performance,” he laughs.
In fact, as well as The Roses and The Foo Fighters, Boucher Road Playing Fields Belfast are set to host some of the best talent the North West has to offer. Derry acts Best Boy Grip, The Jepettos and Droids are all set to feature in the Tennent’s sponsored festival.
The acts were shortlisted in the Tennent’s UNTapped showcase, battle of the bands competition while Gerard i2 and Trucker Diablo earned the right to strut their stuff on the main stage alongside the likes of Florence and the Machine, The Black Keys and Rodrigo Y Gabriel. The introduction of a second stage will give the North West acts the chance to play at a major festival.
Gerard i2 AKA Gerard McDaid of Ballycolman Estate, Strabane, said he is ““really excited about playing”.
“It will be the biggest gig I’ve played so far and I wonder how I’ll cope with playing to such a large crowd when it is just me and a drummer but I’m confident in the material and can’t wait.”
Having been rapping live for four years, Gerard is confident with his material. “I’ve been doing raps for about ten years but I only started doing shows the last three or four years. It is hard to start rap shows in Ireland,” the affable artist admits.
“My drummer Chris ‘Smokes’ Patton and I have been playing together for a year and it is far better with a drummer. While we only have a 25 minute set I made a few tunes especially for Vital. I know it is really important to have a good start and I kept all my best songs for tomorrow night. I’ve no doubt it will work well even though it is my largest audience ever, which I have to admit is a bit scary.”
A few tickets remain for both days of Tennent’s Vital and are on general sale now, priced as follows: Tuesday, August 21, - Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, The Cribs, The Minutes, Trucker Diablo.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22, The Stone Roses, Florence and The Machine, Maverick Sabre, Rodrigo Y Gabriela and Gerard i2: Tickets cost £49.50 each day, incl booking fee via www.ticketmaster.ie or telephone hotlines: (NI & UK) 0844 8472455/ (ROI) 0818 719 300.
Tennent’s Vital is an over 16s event.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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