Up-and-coming Athlone band to play at Belfast showcase

Athlone indie rock band The Baines have been announced as part of an upcoming event in Belfast to showcase the best of emerging talent from the 32 counties

The band, whose three singles to date have earned them a large following, will join Northern Irish acts The Coronations and Jet Black Tulips on stage at McHugh's in Belfast's city centre on Saturday, November 19.

Already, tickets for the event - available through skiddle.com - have been selling quickly, while The Baines continue to put the finishing touches to their debut EP in the studio.

Founding member Cormac Sheerin said the band are itching to get on stage and show what they are capable of in front of a live audience.

"We are looking forward to it. Obviously, the debut EP has required a lot of work. There's four new songs on it and it will be ready very soon," he says.

The band recently added new bass player in the shape of Eric Rogers (also from Athlone), while renowned local musician Alan O'Neill will perform with the band when playing live.

Alan, whose brother Kevin O'Neill is the lead singer, already contributes to the recording of the groups songs in co-producer capacity.

The Baines were also due to headline a show at Whelan's in Dublin, but were forced to cancel the gig due to the unavailability of support band The Ventrelles from Manchester.

"Unfortunately, the lads in Ventrelles got their dates mixed up, musicians eh!" joked lead singer Kevin.

"These things happen, and thankfully Whelan's are looking forward to having us at a later date in the future.

"As Cormac rightly says, every ounce of time and effort is being put into the EP, which we believe builds on our three singles to date. Then, it's time to show what we can deliver in Belfast and beyond," the frontman added.