The Stunning set to rock Ballina as part of French Mayo Festival
BALLINA town centre is set to rock tonight when Irish music legends The Stunning come to town as part of the inaugural French Mayo Festival.
The culmination of the two-day festival, billed as 'A Taste of France Along the Wild Atlantic Way', the gig will see Steve and Joe Wall's band headline the first live music event to be held under the new state-of-the-art cover provided by Mayo County Council for Ballina's historic Military Quarter.
It won't be the first time the band has visited Ballina; locals of 'a certain age' will remember The Stunning rocking local nightclub and live venue The Hothouse more than 20 years ago.
The band formed in 1987 and quickly became one of the most-loved acts on the Irish circuit, rolling out hits like 'Romeo's on Fire', 'Half Past Two', 'Got to Get Away' and, of course, the classic 'Brewing Up a Storm'.
The new cover spanning the Military Quarter is set to lend a unique and intimate atmosphere to the gig, as well as weatherproofing the event. It is the first venture of its kind in the west of Ireland and this progressive and exciting initiative of Mayo County Council is set to transform the space in the heart of Ballina into an atmospheric, versatile and, no doubt, in-demand public space.
The Stunning will be supported by Irish band Kíla, who describe themselves as 'Irish trad meets rave'. The folk/trad/world music band has been thrilling audiences around the world for years with their unique, electrifying live performances. Fronted by the Ó Snodaigh brothers, the Irish eight-piece will bring a distinct flavour to the night.
The live show will be opened by Jeannette Byrne, who makes a return to the town after her appearance at last year's French Ballina Festival. Byrne, whose music was strongly influenced by her French grandmother, is a long-time performer of the French chanson and her performances, both solo and with artists like Jack L, have thrilled audiences for over 20 years.
French Mayo committee chairman and Ballina Chamber PRO, Brian Hopkins, said: “We're really excited to welcome this great line-up of artists to Ballina to play in this unique, covered outdoor space for the very first time. We want to establish the French Mayo Festival as a top-class, professionally-run festival along the Wild Atlantic Way and, in time, make the weekend a significant attraction for visitors to the region.”
The festival commenced yesterday with a commemorative ceremony and theatrical pageant spectacular, with the French-themed Food Fleadh Ballina, and the trad-tinged Session Trail taking place today (Saturday, August 27) before the big gig this evening. Tickets for The Stunning are available from Ballina Tourist Office at €20 or on tickets.ie priced at €22.50. A full programme of events for French Mayo is available on www.northmayo.ie/French-Mayo.