21 Demands hope for dream support slot on Arthur's Day
TOP FINGAL BAND MAKE FINAL 24 IN RUNNING FOR ST JAMES'S GATE GIG
21 Demands have made it through to the final 24 acts hoping to land a dream gig on Arthur's Day.
A SWORDS band are just two shows away from landing a dream gig - supporting Snow Patrol in Dublin next month. 21 Demands are one of only 24 acts who have been selected for the final of the Guinness ' Our Thursdays' event, seeing off almost 1,000 other artists in the process. And with a top prize of the opening slot at the Arthur's Day celebrations on September 23rd on offer, Steven Garrigan, Mark Prendergast, Conor Linnane and Vinnie May are seeking the Fingal public's support. ' We have made it through to the final 24 acts in the competition from the 800 to 1,000 that started out,' bassist Conor Linnane explained. ' First prize in the competition is a chance to support Snow Patrol on Arthur's Day in St James's Gate.
' The Leinster final is on Thursday, August 26th in The Village and we are hoping to drum up support for the event.'
Arthur's Day will feature over 50 official bands at various venues across the country, including the famous St James's Gate brewery, as well as six unique studio venues and 28 intimate pub settings.
Four regional showcases will take place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast this Thursday, with the winning band in each area going through to the final on Thursday, September 9th in Lavery's, Belfast. The winning band will be announced on the night and will play as part of the Arthur's Day lineup, supporting Snow Patrol, Manic Street Preachers and Biffy Clyro at St James's Gate. 21 Demands are no strangers to finals themselves, having battled their way to the last show of RTÉ's ' You're A Star!' competition back in 2007. The four-piece narrowly lost out to David O'Connor at the live final at The Helix, but went on to score a number one single in the Irish charts with ' Give Me A Minute'.
In doing so, they became the first ever unsigned band to reach the top spot and the first act to reach number one in Ireland on downloads sales alone. Entry to The Village showcase on Wexford Street is free and five other acts will also be on the bill.
- Robin KIELY
