Once again Festival season is upon us and the NI circuit is getting better. This weekend it was the turn of Killinchy, Co. Down which was hosting it’s relatively new Pigstock Festival. It is a Festival still in it’s infancy but to attend you would never know. A fantastic line up of the best in local music, Pigstock does a wonderful job giving the chance for unsigned acts to play to the people.
Like the now legendary Glasgowbury Festival, Pigstock is an amazing up and coming festival which is fast becoming a must attend. Headlined this year by ASIWYFA and LaFaro as well as showcasing a wealth of talent by some of the most hardworking and often ignored bands on the scene.
Now anyone interested in reading about Pigstock have no doubt read counless reviews about Mojo Fury, LaFaro and ASIWYFA mainly because all those Musos generally write about little else. Always looking to review the big names so they can look back from behind the McDonalds counter and think, ‘I wrote about them, once’. Even BBC Radio Ulster‘s Across The Line, who claim to bring us the ‘best new music from Northern Ireland’ have fallen into a similar trap.
And now for what’s really important – the music. I am going to take a look at, in my opinion, some of the best ‘NEW’ music from Northern Ireland at 2011 Pigstock Fest.
First on my list – Matt McGinn.
Matt McGinn is no stranger to the big stage. He has performed with the ever modest Joe Echo, supporting Sir. Paul McCartney in Hyde Park and has also appeared at Oxegen and Electric Picnic with his seamless blend of folk and soul. It’s late Saturday Night/Early Sunday morning music at it’s best with tunes to relax even the most tight shouldered rat racer.
Matt combines his sublime Guitar skills with a voice smoother than an ageing scotch and contemporary folk tunes sweet enough to give Paul Simon diabetes. A spectacularly accomplished musician/singer/songwriter, Matt McGinn is bursting with fresh talent and has the most awesome beard I think I have ever seen. This country boy is destined for the big time.
If you don’t believe me you can check him out for yourself:
Next up - Black Mambas.
http://www.myspace.com/black-mambas
Black Mambas hit the Main Stage early on in proceedings throwing everybody into the festival mood. The boys have created a beautiful sound combining Indie Rock with a hint of Funk. The epitome of catchy, their music is attractive and full of body causing many to gravitate towards the stage, Friday Night hangovers in tow.
No doubt a band that need some work, gig experience and a bit of an image tweek but with music like this it is only a matter of time.
The third and final act – Annapurna
http://www.myspace.com/annapurnamusic
Annapurna are an interesting 5 piece who specialise in Ambient Experimental Rock. With long, winding and largely instrumental tracks the band produce a sound with more ups and downs than a drunken camel. Fuelled by a rollercoaster of emotional soundings it borders on performance art as the band take the audience on a musical journey. It is hard to watch and not be mystified and engrossed in such a fresh and fascinating sound.
Now there is one more act that I feel I must mention but the immensity of my excitement has lead me to give them a whole Blog of their own. Click here to see my No 1 recommendation…
There you go, a couple of acts I think you should keep an eye on, not the acts to be seen to be keeping an eye on.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Pigstock 2012.
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Chris Writes
Twitter: @Chris__Writes
Website: www.chriswrites.net
Tonight is Axis Of’s first step in what should be a big career. They are having their single launch in Aunt Annies, Belfast. I personally dubbed their single “Brobdingnagian” single of the year last year, but is only really just released today!
Two of the 3 piece did an interview with Rigsy over on the ATL site! GO check it out!
http://www.myspace.com/axisof
Support comes in the form of…
The beastly
http://www.myspace.com/thecitieswecaptured
And the sweet as
http://www.myspace.com/thealicekonaband
AU DJS (me, cause am class)
Our sexy friends at ATL posted this video on their website. Rigsy and crew share the stage with The Flaming Lips for a good old knees up! Check them out and here’s a link to their site where there is millions of more stuff!
ATL Website
ATL have an awesome gig tonight in the Oh Yeah centre with a great line up!
If you were not fortunate enough to get a ticket to the gig you can watch it online tonight!
Watch it HERE
When: 20:00 to 22.30
The lineup includes:
Foy Vance
Jonny Black
Here Comes the Landed Gentry
Swell Time
John Shelly and the Creatures
Pocket Promise
Yes Cadets
Captain Kennedy
Ciara Cowan
Panda Kopanda
The Dirty Blues Band
It’s all in aid of your cash flow – BBC RAW money will be standing by and ready to answer any financial issues you may be having. And each band will be playing a song around the theme of ‘money’.
