Imelda May added to West Fest line-up

Imelda May added to West Fest line-up


Michael Commins

IMELDA May has been confirmed as one of the new star attraction for the big West Fest promotion in Aghamore this summer. The Dubliner was honoured with the Female Singer of the Year title at the Meteor Awards in 2009.
May enjoys a high profile on the international stage and is featured on a regular basis on television shows both sides of the Irish Sea. And the organisers of the big event are thrilled to have signed her up for the event which will be the biggest music event west of the Shannon on 2011. They have capped the event at 10,000, representing 5,000 tickets each night. A giant marquee/dome is being brought in from England to host the ambition festival.
West Fest, this region’s answer to the Electric Picnic in Stradbally, is now shaping up to be a complete sell-out. Tickets for the big event, which will be staged in Aghamore on June 4 and 5, are being snapped up.
Headline acts already confirmed for West Fest are Sharon Shannon and her big band, Damien Dempsey, Republic of Loose, Bagatelle, Ryan Sheridan, the Kilkennys, the Big Generator and Brush Shiels.
Donal Byrne says they are thrilled with the response to date.
“Imelda May was guest on the Graham Norton Show on RTE on Saturday night and got a massive response. Early reaction is surpassing all expectations. All is on course for a complete sell-out within weeks. We are already halfway to selling the two day tickets. It is hugely encouraging and we know Aghamore will do itself proud when it hosts the big event in June.”
Auditions for support bands on West Fest will be held in the Park Hotel in Kiltimagh next Sunday, January 16 from 9am to 9pm. A total of 37 bands will appear before the adjudicating panel of Donal Byrne (organiser), Lisa Brady from iRadio102-104 and Sandra Weavers, music and entertainment editor with The Star newspapers. They will select 16 acts and these will then post videos on you-tube where viewers will be in s position to chose the final eight.