A young group of musicians from Laois, Offaly and Northern Ireland performed at an unbelievably entertaining concert this weekend in Kavanagh’s, Portlaoise.
The ‘Isle of Song’ Live Showcase was part of an exciting new project aimed at young musicians and singers, who love music and are interested in song-writing.
Isle of Song is running from March to October and is open to young people from Laois, Offaly and across Northern Ireland aged between 10 and 18 years old.
The project is led by Music Generation Laois and The Nerve Centre, Derry who are operating two residential music camps – one in Laois and the other in Antrim.
The camps are giving participants a chance to experience playing in a band, collaborating to write songs with fellow participants, and working with a team of experienced mentors.
The event in Kavanagh’s, Portlaoise, included perfomances from several newly-formed groups, including:
- Any Suggestions
- Bottom Set
- Bungalow
- Caoimhe’s Divas
- Clear Threat
- Dad’s Shed
- Hot Work
- The Woodtown Wreckers
- MC: Moya Keating
Another Isle of Song showcase concert will see these bands perform in the Dunamaise Arts Centre as part of the Portlaoise’s Old Fort Quarter Festival.
The bands will also perform at The Nerve Centre in Limavady as part of Derry’s Stendhal Festival.
Rosa Flannery, Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois, described the Isle of Song project as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young people.”
Ms Flannery said those participating in the project benefit from getting to meet “like-minded young musicians from all over Ireland, visit new places, perform at festivals and in professional music venues, record and release new music.”
Any Suggestions
Bottom Set
Bungalow
Caoimhe’s Divas
Clear Threat
Dad’s Shed
Hot Work
The Woodtown Wreckers