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Kildare County Council Arts Service

Seven Days and Box Social to play Oxegen 2009

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For further images from the Platform 5 Battle of the Bands final click here

For furhter information on showtimes and Oxegen visit www.oxegen.ie

The final of the Platform 5 Battle of the Bands competition, organised by Kildare County Council,  took place in The Late Lounge, Kill, Co Kildare on Friday 19th June 2009.  The 6 final acts were Seven Days, The J-Walkers, The Resistance, Box Social, Colin Scallan and I Phoenix.

Judges on the night were Niall Morris, MCD, Charlotte Flood, Phantom FM and Paul Dowling, resident Sound Engineer, Kildare County Councils Recording Studio, Platform4, Leixlip.  MC on the night was Keiron Black.

The venue erupted when the winning acts were announced - Seven Days and Box Social.

Speaking after the event, Arts Officer for Kildare County Council, Lucina Russell congratulated the winners and said that she hoped that all performers enjoyed the experience.  She commented 'the quality of the sound provided on the night by The Late Lounge was excellent - this really assisted the bands to perform to their very best - thanks to Johnny Warren and to X Music for sponsoring the equipment'.  She added that the New Media Institute are making a documentary which features the 12 short listed bands and will track the winners all the way to Oxegen.

BOX SOCIAL
Daire Graham - Vocals, Synth, Dermot Smyth - Bass, Mark Murray - Guitar, Eoghan Tyrrell - Guitar, Darragh Fleming - Drums

From Celbridge, and possibly the youngest band EVER to play Oxegen - Mark (17), Daire Graham (18), Eoghan Tyrrell (18), Darragh (19) Dermot (20).   'We are all really into different type of music, from really light pop to heavy metal to indie to classic rock and to singer song writer to electro to funk and blues.  We would describe our music as Electro rock/pop/indie and think were really different because each member has a different taste in music.  

Speaking after the final, Daire said, 'We all thought the Final was AMAZING!!  It was so much fun. We didn't want to stop playing, the crowd was so energetic which gave us a huge buzz and it was probably one of the best nights we ever had.  When the results were called out and heard our name, we were just over the moon, just lost for words we were jumping around like mad yokes.  It was such a good buzz.  We just felt so great that we were one of the bands chosen to play Oxegen.  I think for most of us it hasn't even sunk in yet that we got through.  It was a night to remember and we just want to thank KCC for this amazing opportunity to play at Oxegen'.

If you would like to listen to some of Box Social's music check out the Myspace
www.myspace.com/boxsocial1

SEVEN DAYS
Seven Days are Ireland's latest band set to make waves on the music scene. The four lads met through the Ballyfermot Rockschool, it is here that they found their unique sound. 

Fronted by Ian White on vocals, he has the ability to draw the listener in with his standout vocal melodies and smooth lyrical approach. With Nicky Brennan on guitar, Ricky Byrne on drums and Darren Sweeney on bass, this tight outfit compliments Ian's vocals to the highest degree.
Together Seven Days perform a fresh blend of funk / soul. Although incredibly original, this band have proved that they also have a commercial edge.  Currently writing and recording, the group have numerous dates planned for the summer.

Ian White - Vocals / Acoustic Guitar / Keys, Co Dublin (22), Nicky Brennan - Electric Guitar, Kildare Town (21), Darren Sweeney - Bass, Kildare Town (19), Ricky Byrne - Drums, Mullingar (20). 

Ian was asked how do you feel after hearing you are going to be playing Oxegen 09?
"Oh it's amazing, I'm on top of the world, I have this constant smile on my face! I would really like to thank Kildare County Council for giving us the opportunity to play The Dew Drop, for putting on a great 3 nights and Platform5 and MCD for the fantastic prize and also all the people that travelled to support the band"

Nicky was asked now you have secured your place for Oxegen what's next on the cards?
"Now we celebrate but come Monday morning its  heads down  and  get everything ready to give  a kick ass show for the people of Oxegen, we have been practicing week in week out for the past year and a half and Oxegen is where were going to show it!  Thanks to all the support everyone has given us and everyone that was involved with the battle of the bands"

If you would like to listen to some of seven days music check out the Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/sevendaysmoozic

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