triFest music weekend aims to put session before recession

The biggest summer music festival to ever take place in Athlone kicks off this Thursday night July 16, as triFest, part of this year"s triAthlone, gets underway. triFest, in association with Fáilte Ireland, is bigger and better this year and the four-day live music extravaganza, including performances from popular acts such as The Blizzards and Mundy, is sure to make this a weekend to remember in the town. Up to 1,200 people will fill the marquee in Athlone Civic Square every night from tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday, to hear the best in live Irish music today - with a wide-ranging line-up of upcoming and established performers from every genre taking to the stage. triAthlone CEO Liam Heavin said tickets are already selling fast and he"s appealing for people to snap up their tickets before the end of the week, so that they can avail of the special discount offer for both Friday and Saturday night. Although tickets are available on the door each night, they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so don"t miss out. The addition of Thursday night music has just been announced this week, in association with Karma nightclub. The midland"s biggest dance music event "Got House?" will start the ball rolling tomorrow night from 8pm in the marquee at Athlone Civic Centre. Expect a night of visual and musical entertainment with the Aural Asylum, iRadio DJs and Firechild all preforming live on stage, with an amazing light and sound show. Tickets for the Thursday festival launch are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the door and cost €10. As the weekend starts, Mullingar band The Blizzards along with support from Gorilla Radio and Twisted Logic will get the festival underway on the Friday night July 17. The Blizzards are riding high after the huge success of their last three singles from their second album and the band just played support to Oasis in Slane Castle. They also recently supported AC/DC during their Black Ice World Tour. Expect an energy-packed performance from this band who are sure to set Athlone alight. Twisted Logic are made up of four lads from Athlone and Roscommon. The band was formed in late 2008 and with driving vocal harmonies, warm fuzz-guitar tones, and melodic bass and drum lines, all these aspects combine to form an eclectic mix of original unique music. Gorilla Radio are an amazing new band not to be missed. Although in their infancy, this quartet are making serious waves in the Irish music touring scene. Their musical genres capture everything from rap to rock, dance to reggae and their stage presence and energy have audiences begging for more. Although there will be many tired legs around the town after the triathlon finishes on Saturday evening, feet are sure to be tapping along to one of Ireland"s most popular singer/songwriters that same night. Mundy takes to the stage on Saturday night and although the Birr man is sure to keep the crowds happy with many songs from his latest album Strawberry Blood, everyone is bound to go home humming along to July or Galway Girl. Mundy is supported by another Offaly act called Hogan, named after lead singer Mark Hogan. This Tullamore band is well used to touring around Ireland, have been on TV several times and are full of infectious tunes. Hopefully the weather will stay dry and sunny as Sunday is the Family Fun Day and barbecue, taking place in the Prince of Wales Hotel from 2pm to 6pm. There will be dancers and a ceili band keeping everyone entertained, while later in the marquee, expect a night of outstanding musicianship as Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones take to the stage to sing classic Irish songs and tunes. Derek, for many years the front man of the legendary Wolfe Tones, is now joined on stage by three of the finest Irish musicians from a younger generation; singer-songwriter Padraig Allen, a nephew of Tony Allen, banjo/mandolin player Damaris Woods and his brother, accordion and bodhran player Jim Woods. Tickets for all the events are on sale now from Music World in Golden Island Shopping Centre but there will also be a limited number of tickets for sale on the door each night. Friday and Saturday night tickets cost €25 each, or a special "recession-busting" two-night ticket for Friday and Saturday costs €40. The Sunday night tickets are €10. And the fun doesn"t stop after the live shows! If you want to keep on partying into the night, just present your concert ticket at the door of Karma nightclub in the Prince of Wales Hotel and gain entry for half price Friday to Sunday night this weekend. For more information see www.trifest.ie