SUMMER FEST THE BIGGEST YET!
SUMMER FESTIVAL KEEPS ON GROWING EACH YEAR.
THE Sligo Summer Festival in Stephen Street Car Park is always one of the highlights of the music calendar in Sligo, and this year’s event was no different.
With headline acts Kieran Quinn, Example, Mundy & Paddy Casey and Mike Denver, there was something to suit everyone with all age groups catered for.
It’s the first year that the festival has run on a Sunday night, and the car park was packed. “THURSDAY and Friday crowds were up on last year. Saturday was roughly the same, the weather was sort of on and off. Sunday was a new venture for us and there was around 4,000 people there. Mike Denver was just brilliant,” said Brendan Tierney, who is part of the committee for the Sligo Summer Festival.
He added: “The four nights were designed to cater to all tastes and ages. Thursday night slot was the always excellent Kieran Quinn and his friends. Friday was sort of for a younger age group who like pop and dance music.
“Saturday sort of catered to the Irish music fans and Sunday was the first time we had country music and that rounded off the event, You could bring your granny or your baby!”
The festival is always a hit with families, and organisers were pleased to see lots of families with young children in attendance during each night of the festival.
“One of the highlights for me was the family fun day. That was hugely attended and it was nice that families stayed around for the music and even at Example there were families there.
“It’s safe enough to bring kids along to it and there’s a nice vibe there, there’s a real community feel to the whole thing.
“There was no trouble there at all. I suppose you can sometimes be a bit nervous organising events but this is lovely and safe.”
There is a big emphasis on local acts, and the festival line-up is largely made up of local artists.
“We had over 20 acts playing and bar the headliners, except Kieran Quinn, the majority were local.
“It’s a chance for them to play on an amazing stage in front of a big crowd and it gives bands a chance to get recognised.”
Tierney added: “Everyone who played at it seemed to enjoy it and we got lots of good reviews from people who attended.
“The festival runs on sponsorship from Sligo BID and local businesses. It’s unique and even Example and the headliners were sort of saying to us ‘ how do you run a festival when people are only paying in €3?”.
“We have the dates set for next year and we’ ll get the planning going soon.”