Plaza plays host to Music Fest event this Friday

The three day music event takes place from September 6 to 8 across Lurgan, Central Craigavon and Portadown. Organised by Craigavon Borough Council this event has been managed by the PEACE III Southern Partnership’s Future Foundations priority and supported by the European Union’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

The event kicks off on Thursday at Brownlow Community Hub from 7pm to 10pm. Compered by Kieran Corr from MADS the evening will include exclusive group performances by local community artists.

The main line up of artists will be Smooth, performing chart topping tunes and classic hits, previous Lurgan ‘Battle of the Band’ competition winners MDA playing indie rock tunes and Last Minute Earl with a combination of three part harmonies, driving guitar riffs and melodic acoustic guitars. Rounding off the evening will be the headlining Levity Breaks, one of the hottest new acts on the Northern Ireland music scene having supported artists such as the Frames, Buzzcocks and Snow Patrol.

A food stall will be available at the Hub supplied by The Stables in Lurgan. This event will be ticketed due to limited capacity and under sixteen’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. For further information and tickets please contact Brownlow Community Hub on 028 3831 3630

The Music Fest blasts into Lurgan to the Town Centre Plaza for the first of the live open air shows on Friday 7th September. Gareth Stewart from Cool FM will compere the evening’s events with vocal harmony trio Swingabella taking to the stage at 5.15pm to get the evening in full ‘swing’.

The distinctive sound of the Janet Dowd Band accompanied by Rachel Toman at 6.45pm will be followed by a modern day mixture of Harry Connick Jnr, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble from the charismatic James Huish Band who will take the stage at 8.15pm.

Returning to their home towns for scintillating headline performances will be the instant commercial success Microlip. One of the finest bands to come from our fair shores, and currently appearing on the big screen in the Keith Lemon movie, Microlip will be entertaining the crowds from 9.45pm with favourites such as ‘Making Money’ and ‘Man of Steel’.

The baton is handed to Connor Phillips from Cool FM on Saturday 8th September when the Music Fest tunes up for the grand finale on Portadown Town Centre Plaza.

The Linley Hamilton Quartet jazzes up the stage at 5.15pm getting the show off to a fabulous start. The wonderful Trionagh Allen is joined at 6.45pm by guests Kenny Archer and the band Breakaway singing much loved Irish Country melodies and a collection of old time favourite tunes.

Northern Ireland’s very own Freddie Mercury – Flash Harry will rock the stage at 8.15pm performing all the best loved Queen hits including ‘I Want to Break Free’, ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

Finally there is no more fitting act than Portadown’s own Microlip headlining at 9.45pm to draw this spectacular Music Fest to a close. It will certainly be a performance not to be missed and if you want to get yourself in the mood beforehand then you’ll be pleased to hear Microlip’s debut album and their fabulous single “Making Money” are available as free downloads (via Facebook) between now and the 8th September!

This event quite literally caters for everyone with a food court available at both open air shows. From 5.00pm serving till late choose from a range of Mediterranean, Indian, bistro and gastro cuisine. Local evening eateries and bistros Chimes Coffee House, Courthouse Bar, Dolce and Gelarto, The Premier, Love Coffee, Palomo Bistro, Star of India, The Stables, and Zio Restaurant will be serving in the food courts so why not enjoy the music and savour some delicious hot cuisines.

A downloadable event guide is available on www.discovercraigavon.com or from www.facebook.com/discovercraigavon.