Mayo 'Conncert' drew a sell-out crowd and huge praise

The Lodge in Cloghans played host to an electrifying day of live music at "The Conncert" during the August Bank Holiday.

It was a grassroots music festival that captivated attendees from near and far. Organised by a volunteer collective, the event brought together eight unique musical acts from across Ireland, with genres spanning from traditional music to techno.

Preparations for the event began early in the day, with sound equipment provided by Ballina Punx and the first busload of attendees arriving from Ballina at 3 p.m. The music kicked off at 4 p.m. and continued into the night.

The festival, which sold out in advance, attracted music lovers from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Sligo, and various parts of Mayo, with one couple even travelling from France.

Attendees were a mix of locals, passers-by, and dedicated fans, with some opting to camp on-site while others took a late-night coach back to Ballina.

Patrick Cullen of ‘The Altered Hours’ managed the sound engineering, ensuring that each performance resonated through the venue.

The atmosphere was enhanced by the diverse range of music on offer, from the psychedelic rock of Junk Drawer to the solo electronic stylings of Fixity and Cobra Truth. Families were also well represented, with plenty of children enjoying the open space and festivities.

Food was another highlight, with homemade curries and sandwiches satisfying the crowd. The event was so well-received that organisers have already been inundated with requests to repeat the experience next year.

Attendee feedback summed up the day’s success, with one person praising the "amazing performances" and another expressing gratitude for the "beautiful atmosphere" that made the event "absolutely amazing."

'The Conncert' was made possible with the help of funding from Ballina Municipal District and Mayo Arts Council, along with support from partners NCF Cultural Co-op and October Nights.

This financial assistance, combined with ticket sales, ensured the event's success and demonstrated the power of community collaboration.

As a one-day event that relied heavily on the spirit of the Irish DIY music community, 'The Conncert' was a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and community come together. Organisers are hopeful that this will be the first of many such events in Mayo.

For more images and a review of the event, visit The Thin Air, where The Conncert was described as "a DIY one-dayer for the ages."