‘GailFest’ raises over £4000 for Foyle Hospice
On September 6, The Sandino’s Bar in Derry hosted the second ever ‘GailFest’ concert. It’s ok if you haven’t heard of the first one. It took place in a private garden in front of about 70 people in July 2024.
The reason? Gail Doherty, knowing she only had a few weeks left to live, said she wished she could see her favourite bands one last time. Gail, at that point, was too ill to go and see the bands she loved so much. So the bands came to her.
The first GailFest was a wonderful night of music, laughter, food and celebration of a daughter, sister, auntie and friend. It was organised in six days and took place in Gail’s parents’ garden. It was meaningful, it really mattered AND IT ROCKED!
Just five weeks later, in Foyle Hospice, Gail passed away, surrounded by her loved ones.
Gail loved the Derry music scene and would be there, front and centre, bopping away to her favourite songs. Gail was a huge supporter of the bands her brothers and uncle played in as well as being a regular fixture at loads of gigs over the years.
Gail was born with a heart defect but she never let it stop her. She travelled to Belfast to see her beloved Chris Cornell and even over to a freezing cold Glasgow to watch Sir Paul McCartney!
The second GailFest reunited the three bands who played in that garden gathering last year. They were ‘The Nameless’, ‘Bad Medicine’ & ‘King Rat’.
More than 300 people packed in to Sandino’s and filled the floor all night. By all accounts it was a fantastic night and one that Gail would have loved.
Gail’s family would like to thank everyone for a truly memorable night and for raising a fantastic £4140 for Foyle Hospice. Thanks again goes to Sandino’s bar for hosting GailFest and to everyone who helped organise and advertise it.
Gail would have been very proud.