On Friday 1st July, Dublin City Council’s North Central Area Office in partnership with NEAR90fm and MIC project, hosted the 2011 Northside Music Showcase in the Axis Theatre, Ballymun.
Jim Kelly, North Central Area Office praised his joint partners from the local radio station NEARfm and the Media Initiative Connection (MIC). It was an excellent illustration of cross agency delivery of an innovative cultural event with local community art gain. With Jim Kelly, the main men were Alan Weldon NEARfm and Gavin Carpenter. Other NEARfm contributors were Aoife King and Kate Garry.
Great music was performed by Death by Bludgeon, Jack Lynskey and Rebelcast. They are emerging and promising bands with potential to make an impact on the music scene. NEAR90fm recorded the entire gig. It was a great feast of music. This event is an important platform for young musical talents and offers a great opportunity for them to perform at a leading Northside arts venue that is the Axis Theatre.
INFORMATION ON THE PERFORMERS
Death by Bludgeon
Acoustic duo Death by Bludgeon have been playing together since they were eleven. Ciaran Rogers acclaims his friend and band mate Dean Conway for getting him interested in music and it’s not likely to stop anytime soon. With the kooks and Strokes among their interests they also share a love for the Beatles.
The Duo have been performing extensively around Dublin, where they had their first gig in the battle of the bands in the Pint bar on Eden Quay, and came in first place. Spurred on by positive response to their music, the lads 15 and 16 look forward to performing a mix of songs both original and tribute for this year Musical showcase.
Jack Lynskey
Winner of the Northside Music Showcase with his band "Easy Target”, Jack Lynskey went solo for this years showcase. Performing from a young age, he has developed into a mature vocal talent and is no stranger to the limelight. Jack has appeared on RTE, and has performed in venues including the Helix and the Academy, as lead singer with his band "Easy Target" and as a solo artist.
At just 17 Jack is a competent songwriter with musical influences including the Artic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine, and the Beatles, Describing himself as a male pop artist, he believes there exists a gap in the music business for such musical styles. With the hope of filling this gap, he knows he needs to continue performing and playing over the years.
Rebel Cast
Three brothers from Clontarf are the musical talent behind Rebel Cast. A three piece set with guitar, bass, and the drums the band's main influence has been the Police. The O'Sioran brothers William, James, and Cian have now been playing together for three years and were excited to take the stage for the Northside Musical Showcase.
The family have taken to music in recent years when band member William was encouraged to pick up the guitar after an accident which saw him loose the movement in his left arm for a year. The bands first gig took place in the Pint in Dublin. The were keen to put the exam pressure behind them and now look forward to a whole summer of music ahead and have no intention of slowing down anytime soon.