Rock dreams come true for talented local youths
FREEFALL ANGEL SET TO PLAY IN FRONT OF FESTIVAL CROWD
Freefall Angel, the new band from Carlow, wait to go on stage at the Battle of the Bands in the Temple Night Club.
Tuesday July 20 2010
YOUNG Carlow band Freefall Angel will blow sonic fuses in Fenagh after getting their first big break playing in front of a festival crowd.
It was a dream come true for the young foursome when they won the Hopin' to Open competition run by the organisers of Carlow's only rock and world music festival, Indie'Go.
'It was totally unreal, surreal even, when we heard our name being called out,' Kayleigh Hennessy, lead vocalist and bass player, said.
'We'd entered competitions before but never won.
' Now, winning this and getting to open on the main stage is a dream come true for us.'
Freefall Angel were chosen to open the festival on the main stage, beating 16 other bands in the competition that took place over several heats.
Judges Tom Newton (a music producer), Martin Bridgeman of KCLR radio, James Lakes of Bagenalstown and Dawn Smyth of Ballydarton House, were all impressed by the young band.
Kayleigh's fellow band members are Mark Wogan and Colm Bradley on guitars and vocals with Adam Welstead on drums.
All are still in their teens and are still at school in Carlow town.
Over the next few weeks, they'll be locked up in a garage somewhere rehearsing ahead of the festival that takes place in Ballydarton House, Fenagh, over three days from August 6.
Freefall Angel will be tuning up alongside the likes of Alabama 3, Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Dirty Epics and world music outfits such as Awilo Longomba, Los Chinches and lots of other acts.
The Indie'Go World Music and Arts Festival is the dream child of Mags McGonagle who has a long history in community arts.
Along with a team of experts, the festival's aim is not only to cheer up the nation (or at least, the population of Carlow and beyond), but also to raise funds for both Self Help Africa and Barnardos.
For further information contact Indie'Go World Music office on (059) 916 9339 or send an email to info@indiegoworldmusic.ie.
Weekend tickets cost €110, day tickets weigh in at €55 and family day tickets are €90.
- LIZ LEE
