9 Awesome Songs You Might Hear At This Year's Holywood Harmony Festival

THE Holywood Harmony Festival returns for it’s third year running releasing a line up featuring an incredible selection of Traditional Irish, Blues, Soul and Jazz bands.

The Festival will take place on Friday June 2 to Sunday June 4 and will include live performances from headlining acts including Hothouse Flowers, Ulaid & Duke Special and Gareth Dunlop alongside a talented selection of local artists.

The festival is now hosted by a voluntary non-profit organisation with hopes to further their success after being shortlisted for The Best Tourism event at the North Down Business awards last year.

To further help the organisers and to promote the artists of the event we have put together a selection of songs that you might expect to hear live from the acts at the festival:

1. Duke Special & Ulaid – Londubh Loch Lao

Duke Special and the Ulaid band will be Headlining on the Friday evening, the following piece of music ‘ Lon Dubh Loch Lao’,based on a 9th century early Irish poem was co-produced by both acts and is performed here live on TG4.

2. The Emerald Armada – I Don’t Mind

Belfast based Alt-folk band The Emerald Armada will be showcasing songs from their beloved EP Hearty Laughs and Warmer Hearts. Their best known track, I Don’t Mind, has an entertaining music video.

3. Redhouse Blues Band – Hey Joe

Redhouse are a Blues Rock Band from Northern Ireland,The following is a performance of them playing live on The Gary Moore Stage at the Oh yeah Centre in Belfast in August 2011, Stevie Craig playing Gary Moore`s guitar throughout the set.

4. Hothouse Flowers – I Can See Clearly Now

The HotHouse Flowers who are headlining on Saturday are a Traditional Irish Band with influences of Soul and Rock throughout various pieces of their music; founded in 1985. This song is from the group’s second album, “Home” that was released in June 1990, “I can see clearly now” (A cover from a Jonny Cash song) that reached number one in the charts in Australia in 1991.

5. Ciaran McElhinney – The Porters

Ciaran McEhinney, Belfast based singer/songwriter has a style Influenced by Bluegrass and Country to Americana, Irish and Folk. A supporting artist from Saturdays event performs “The Porters” A song Ciaran wrote personally about the dangers and perils of drinking too much of “The black stuff” AKA Guinness.

6. The Nat Youle Band

While we don’t have a video to show you we have it on good authority that this local Holywood band is set to unleash some brand new original material at the festival.

7. Gareth Dunlop – Devil Like You

Gareth Dunlop, Belfast born singer/songwriter will be headlining on the final day of the event. The following piece is written and recorded by Gareth and appeared on the soundtrack of the popular television series ‘Lucifer’.

8. Dana Masters – Everything

American born Jazz and Soul singer Dana Masters began her career here with a weekly residency in the basement of McHughes bar in Belfast which expanding quickly leading to numerous recording collaborations and live performances with highly respected artists including Van Morrison. This piece was recorded Live at the launch of Dana’s EP ‘Crossing Lines’.

9. Sam Wickens

Originally from Bangor, Sam Wickens has been impressing listeners in Northern Ireland and the Republic with his soft, delicate voice and carefully constructed songs. Here he is performing for the OB Sessions.

Line up

Friday 2nd June – Doors 7pm

ULAID & DUKE SPECIAL (9.30-10.45pm)

The Emerald Armada (8.15 – 9.15pm)

Red House (7.15 – 8pm)

Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/393966

Saturday 3rd June – Doors 7pm

THE HOTHOUSE FLOWERS (9.15 – 10.45pm)

The Nat Youle Band (8.15 – 9pm)

Ciaran McEhinney (7.15 – 8pm)

Tickets: www.wegottickets.com/event/393147

Sunday 4th June – Doors 7pm