Music City, the festival where everyone can play, will return to the city of Derry later this month. For the 2015 edition, the festival has been expanded to 3 days and will transform the city’s streets, venues, neighbourhoods, churches, offices and workplaces into performance spaces on the weekend of 19th – 21st June. All forms of music will be on show at Music City 2015 so whether it’s classical, country, folk, rock, trad, jazz or house music that is your favourite genre, Music City will have something for every music fan.
The theme of this year’s festival is Occupy Derry with Music. Organisers are encouraging individuals, groups, businesses, workplaces and anyone else who can to put on gigs and performances in their place of work, homes, streets and anywhere else they can, to get in to the spirit of the weekend. With the Music City Busking Competition opening up the streets as a stage, musicians can take their performances from their bedroom to the stage and be in with a chance of winning cash prizes while introducing the people to their music.
Among the major artists performing in the city over the weekend will be Ivor Novello award winner and Hollywood soundtrack composer, DAVID HOLMES, folk legend CHRISTY MOORE, legendary New York DJ DANNY TENAGLIA, founder member of The Frames and member of The Swell Season COLM MAC CON IOMAIRE and one of the great institutions of Scottish traditional music, BATTLEFIELD BAND.
Classical music stars GERARD McCHRYSTAL, RUTH McGINLEY, MARGARET KEYS and award winning choir CODETTA will feature in a live BBC Radio Ulster broadcast while one of Ireland’s finest duos, THE LOST BROTHERS head for Derry as do twice Choice Music Prize winner JAPE, and hotly tipped HOT COPS and RAINY BOY SLEEP.
Derry’s music scene is well represented at Music City 2015 with performances from a range of acts including PØRTS, BEST BOY GRIP, TRIGGERMAN, THE CLAMEENS, PADDY NASH & THE HAPPY ENCHILADAS and DECLAN McLAUGHLIN as well as extensive performances from the schools, colleges, choirs, pipe, brass and flute bands of the city.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Elisha McCallion says she is impressed with the line-up for this year’s Music City celebrations. “Music City is a fantastic event, now in its third year, it continues to grow from strength to strength celebrating our musical talent and bringing live music of all genres to our streets and neighbourhoods. I love the fact that this festival is about getting everyone involved in celebrating and enjoying live music. Music City is a lasting legacy project that appeals to all audiences and truly celebrates everything that is good about our city. I am really looking forward to the festival and wish the organisers every success.”
Music City 2015 is supported by Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, BBC Radio Ulster, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Derry City & Strabane District Council and the Acorn Fund.
For more info, check the festival website, www.musiccityderry.com
