Local talent to support Dempsey at Tara Rocks!

Details of this year's Tara Rocks! all day music festival have been launched, with the event on 25th August being headlined by Damien Dempsey at Tara Na Rí, Navan. The day kicks off at 2pm and will involve 13 acts playing over three stages, including The Lost Brothers, Tupelo, The Bogey Boys, The Furry Gilberts, Eoin Glackin, Liam Byrne and many more. A Battle of The Bands competition will also be held leading up to the festival with the winner receiving a fantastic prize of playing support at the festival. Dempsey, currently at Number One in the charts with 'The Rocky Road to Poland', born on Dublin's Northside in 1975, is the quintessential Irish singer songwriter. His audience identifies with a singer who has emerged from the working-class streets of Dublin's Northside with his powerful self-belief intact, and a storyteller's eye for detail in the writing and delivery of his songs.  His concerts can be almost spiritual occasions - with fans singing along to every word. Described by The Times as "the Bob Marley of Ireland" and by the Irish Examiner as "one of the most important and evocative singers of all time" his stage presence was nurtured by the legendary folk singer Christy Moore who, in mentoring a shy young Dempsey, advised him, "if you're nervous, tell the audience you're nervous". And Dempsey himself says: "The audience has always been with me. They feel what I feel." The Lost Brothers, who recently performed on The Late Late Show, are main support on the night. The band, which includes Navan native, Oisin Leech, are a band on the up. The Lost Brothers released these songs on their debut album (trails of the lonely) to a heap of praise from the likes of NME, The Irish Times, Word magazine, Hot Press, and their fans (losties). Over 12 days in 2010 The Lost Brothers recorded their second album in Sheffield with producer Colin Elliot with some of Richard Hawley's band lending a hand in the studio. This album is entitled 'So Long John Fante' and is now available on Bird Dog Recordings. It is the second studio album release from the Lost Brothers and it was released in Ireland in November 2011, receiving rave reviews from the Irish Times, Hot Press, The Irish Examiner among many others. In January and February 2012 the brothers toured Ireland as part of the prestigious Certain Three Tour after their very successful performance on The Late Late Show. "They have a wonderful sound, great musicianship and fantastic songswriting. With their lead singers charm and the bands sense of fun they'll have you in the palm of their hand. What more could you want?" Imelda May on Tupelo. Tupelo are an exciting, original, acoustic roots act consisting of an eclectic line-up of instruments which includes banjo, guitar, fiddle, double bass, mandolin, harmonica and dobro. Their sound is fresh and unique in today's world of endless electric outfits. With single 'Firefly' and debut album 'Dirty Money' set for UK releases on July 9th and July 16th respectively, 2012 promises to be an exciting year for Tupelo. The line up is completed by fantastic local and original acts. These include The Bogey Boys, The Furry Gilberts, Eoin Glackin, Liam Byrne (Christy Moore Tribute), Trigger and The Hitmen, RC Lofi and Machine Gun Baby. An Open Mic stage is situated in The Stables venue and a Jamming Session is situated in the Lounge. Every year, Tara Rocks! gives up and coming original artists the chance to play support on the main stage at Tara Rocks! This year, the winner will be on stage in front of over 700 people. The Battle of the Bands takes place in the Tara Na Rí over three weekends in July and August. The semi finals are on 20th and 27th July, with the final on 4th August. In the semi finals, the top two bands in the audience vote goes through to the final, with a third spot given to a wildcard selection by the judging panel. In the final of six bands, 50 per cent of the voting will come from the audience vote and 50 per cent from the judging panel. For more information and/or to apply to take part check out www.tararocks.ie. To see our music video page click here http://meathchronicle.ie/musictv