Music in the 2006 Festival

Profiles of the music entertainment at the 2006 Festival.

 

Avalon
Since playing the Derby Festival back in 2004, Avalon have been gigging as far
away as Kerry and Wexford playing anything from classic rock to recent hits. Due
to the departure of their original drummer in the later 2005, gigging was difficult as
they had to rely on a stand in drummer. Despite this, the remaining members found
regular work performing with other bands.


However, they were fortunate enough to recruit Nick Keogh fromNewbridge which has kick-started them back into the music scene.Contact: 045 - 521949 / 086 0685153.
The Square, Sunday 1st July 7.30

Black Jack
Formed in 2005, Blackjack have been gigging andperfecting their rock/blues and metal sound around the Kildare area.Mark Wynne (vocals, guitar) Jon Barrett (guitar), Steve
McCabe(Bass), and Rob Hall (Drums) hailing form Lourdesville, Beechgrove,Campion crescent and Dunmuray court can be heard in pub venues like LilFlanagans and Rose Earleys and take pride in entertaining parties and other events in the town.

Playing favourites spanning the decades from bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, and
Metallica,incorporating traditional Irish, Funk, Rap, and Soul influences. Thiseclectic young band is currently working towards an original demo andhope for a busy and successful summer bringing the rock back to thepeople of Kildare, Sat 1st July @ 7.30

The Gudmen
The Gudmen come from Kildare town and have embraced a unique genre, that is Irish Hip hop
(Rap) music. They are one of the countries finest. Ay Cee - Allan Clarke is the son of Brigid Scully,
originally from Bishopsland. DJ Lee - Shane Leigh comes from The Curragh Camp, Orchard Park.
Shane appeared for a few years with Kildare’s own Ray D'Arcy on his hit TV Quiz show “2 Phat”
with Zig and Zag in the late 90’s. Our third member P the Emcee comes from Mullingar in West
Meath. The lads have been together a few years and have played numerous Top venues and clubs
in the country (Please see our press pack) and have now concentrated on building up a large
fanbase locally. “When we play the larger venues we want to bring half of Kildare and Meath with
us!” Since January the Gudmen have rocked Lil Flanagans, Top Nolans and Rose
Earley’s in Newbridge. We even played our first Teenage gig to a very loud,
energetic and alcoholic free Teenagers in the Valentines Teenage disco in Tigerlily
Nightclub last February.


The Gudmen are the Freshest and most entertaining
band to ever come out of Kildare town.

Strangle The Dog
Together for just 8 months now Strangle TheDog are just beginning to get their music out there. All our music isoriginal heavily influenced by all of our individual tastes, to namebut a few; Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol, Bell X 1, The Smashing Pumpkins,The Doors...

We are currently gigging around leinster in places such as VoodooLounge (Dublin), The Hub(Temple Bar), Rose Earleys (Newbridge),Ballynockan (Wicklow) we also hold an originals night for localbands/singer song-writers in Top Nolans every third thursday, so anybands that want to get their stuff out there let us know. We Are:Vocals: Steve Morrissey, Percussion: Jono Kearney, Lead
Guitar: Seamus Sheedy(Gandhi), Rhythm Guitar: Paul Bracken, Bass
Guitar: Kerry Sheedy. Sunday 25th @ 8.30

C'est la Vie
A mixture of ballads, folk, trad and pop rock.With Mario Corrigan, Paul O’Toole (formally Live Wire) and DeckyGarrett (formally Criss Cross) if you like them, see them in Top Nolansafter they perform in the Square.
Sunday 2nd July @ 8.30p.m.

Century Steel Band
It’s almost 20 years since the Century Steel Band first began touring in Ireland. With members hailing
fromthe exotic Islands of the West Indies (St Lucia, St Vincent, Antiguaetc.) The century steel band are always kept busy during their Irishtours. A firm favourite with the Festivals, Corporate Events, Colleges& Uni’s, Beach Parties, Theme Nights, Bars, Clubs, and much more,they
have even opened Shopping Malls. To date, the Band has released numerous albums. Some
of the more popular releases being “Take it easy”, “Some Outa Jail” (which was released in
conjunction with Amnesty International) and of course their now famously popular Reggae
version of “The Fields of Athenry”.

They have appeared regularly on T.V. shows on this side of the worldsuch as “Kelly” (UTV) “Kenny Live” (RTE) and “The Big Breakfast” (Ch.4)toname just a few. The Century Steel Band are frequent visitors toIreland, a country they now regard as their second home, and are stillcharming Irish audiences with their own unique blend of Reggae, Caribrock and Soca Music. They may even throw in a little Celtic Reggae forgood measure.
For information contact BANDHIRE on 01 260 9040.

 

Sullivan Brothers
They believe a star is someone who can takepeople to a place where nobody else can be, just by singing a song!Their family is quite musical.Their Mum can play the violin and theirfather can sing a tune or two as well!  Both of the lads havegirlfriends. Adrian is going out with Susan, and Shane is
going outwith Brenda.  What they most dislike about themselves is theirreceding hairlines!! M They both hate rudeness and bad manners. Describing themselves in three words they say they are 'confident,musical and thoughtful!'  The song that best describes them is'hero's and villains by Brian Wilson.  If they could getanythingfor their dressing room they would want honey and lemonflavoured Lockets, Chipsticks and a case of Corona.  If they couldhave any actors play them in a movie
about their lives, they would cast Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez.  In their spare time
theyplay tennis, watch rugby, go to gigs, write, read and sleep!  Anideal night out for them would be a nice meal, a gig in the Olympia andoff to Bruxelles for a few beers downstairs!  If they could besuperheroes they would want to be Spiderman.


Their ambition in life is to do something different! Not live the same life as everyone else...

Abbaesque
Abbaesque, the band that took theIrishentertainment world by storm establishing themselves as one of themostpopular bands on the scene have reformed. The show has expandedfrom asix piece to an eight piece. It is made up of some of theoriginalmembers.
Any new members are from the hit show ‘I Keano’. The Abbaesque show is as close as
you'regoingto get to the real thing. With its choreographed dance routines,superbmusicianship, fabulous light show and incredible attention todetail,this fantastic ninetyminute show never fails to impress. It iswithoutdoubt Ireland’s most successful live tribute show.

As well as headlining Ireland’s premier venue, The Point Theatre, this brilliant live act
has performed at every major Irish venue and Festival including Galway’s Black Box, Rose
of Tralee Festival, and Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. TV appearances have included The Late Late Show, Live at Three, Fish, Gerry Ryan Show, Open House and the Den as well as the 98FM Breakfast show and the Pat Kenny show on radio. Contact: Martin, Laura or Anne at the MPI offices on telephone: 01 6684017, e.mail: info@mpibands.com website:
www.mpibands.com