Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S SOMA TIME!
PUT SOMA FESTIVAL ON YOUR TO DO LIST THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The more we read and hear about this week’s Soma Festival, the more it intrigues and impresses us. Billed as nourishment for the soul, Soma Festival is set deep in the heart of the Mourne Mountains – Castlewellen to be precise – and now into its fifth year, the Festival has become an annual celebration of culture and heritage.
It all kicked off on Wednesday and runs until this Sunday, July 16, offering a multitude of art forms the festival programme features music, performance, craft and language, ensuring they are accessible to a wide range of audiences as well as participants.
Soma also celebrates great local food and drink, connecting with geography and history, incorporating local produce, dishes and local chefs.
But it’s the jaw-dropping music bill that astounds us the most – including festival headliner, the multi million-selling David Gray, who plays two sold-out shows at Down Cathedral next Thursday and Friday night.
The incredible Martha Wainwright plays tonight at the Festival marquee in St Malachy’s Park, and one of our very favourite Irish Bands, Ham Sandwich played at Mcginns in the village last night.
Soundtrack supremo and all round legend David Holmes brings his renowned God’s Waiting Room club to the same venue tomorrow night where you can expect his trademark psychedelic, rare groove, scuzzy oldskool rock n’ roll, blues and funk.
Festival co-ordinator Tiona Mcsherry said, “The festival first came about by accident in 2013 when a trad/jazz funk type band called The Olllam needed to secure another gig for their Irish tour not to fall through. Being a musician myself, I called in a few favours from friends and organised a couple of gigs, sessions and music workshops. It ended up as a mini festival and while small – was really successful. The musicians loved it and everybody wanted to do it again.
“I secured David (Gray) through someone I know – although that didn’t make it any easier at times” laughs Tiona, proud of what is an undeniable coup.
“When organising a festival you have to look at the bigger picture – programming is very important. Soma is here for everyone”.
There’s no denying the creativity and imagination of Soma Festival. It’s the most interesting and damn well ambitious thing we’ve come across in an eternity. It deserves to be a massive success and no doubt will be.
Quite a few shows are, unsurprisingly, sold out – for the latest rundown on availability and pricing, head to the festival website at somafestival. com.