Review: Fairhead Folk Festival 2004 - Review

Subject: Review: Fairhead Folk Festival 2004 - Review
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 04 - 05:50 AM

Hi Cats,

Please take a minute to erad our review. We hope to repeat the fun next year and see a few of you there

Fairhead Folk Festival 2004 – A Musical Feast

Wednesday 30th June to Sunday 4th July witnessed folk and traditional music of the highest quality in and around the pubs of Ballycastle. The week's events got under way with a wonderful acoustic performance hosted by Tommy Sands. He entertained with a selection of his own songs mingled with great music from local session musicians. Having returned from America the night before (Tuesday) he put jet lag behind him to launch the festival with his own brand of inspiration then returned to Rostrevor that night! The Fairhead Folk Festival committee would like to thank Tommy for his enthusiasm and support this year.
On Thursday the Central hosted the first of its evening sessions from 6.00pm – 9.00pm where a selection of friends and guests joined the regular musicians. The idea of the session at this time was to create the 'beat on the street' feeling for visitors and keep the momentum going. Upstairs from 9.30pm Ben Sands and Rosemary Woods treated their audience to an exquisite display of singing, song writing and musicianship. It was really a very special evening of haunting melodies and harmonies with carefully crafted personal songs sprinkled with humorous anecdotes all the while. All those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed themselves as evidenced by the swift sale of Cds. These two are strong favourites for a return visit next year.
Friday and the weekend was upon us. Another evening session in the Central built the atmosphere for this year's headline act. To a packed house and rapturous welcome the Fureys took the stage. Their unique interpretation of Ireland's favourite ballads left the crowd wanting more, having experienced just why they are so popular. Eddie Furey commented that he was "delighted to hear of this new festival up north and would recommend the trip to anyone!"
Saturday and another busy day began with the Ballycastle CCE workshops in Cross and Passion College from 10.00am – 4.00pm. Up to forty children and adults received high quality tutoring from some of Ireland's finest musicians on flute, fiddle, guitar, whistle, bodhran and accordion. The committee would like to thank all the tutors, Paddy McShane (catering), children, parents and Ballycastle CCE officers for making the classes such a success. The evening session was another high energy affair and blazed the way for 'The Squelin' Pigs – Unplugged'. The lads put on a mighty show upstairs to another packed house. Those who couldn't get tickets for the show made their way to The Diamond Bar where more fabulous session music kept visitors and locals tapping toes and clapping hands 'til the wee small hours.
The last day and a chance to reflect on wonderful week of folk and traditional music. A select few gathered round on Sunday evening in the Central and listened as the local session musicians finished off the first but definitely not the last Fairhead Folk Festival.