Day two of The Music Show commences with a panel discussion on rock photography with HP snappers Graham Keogh and Naomi McArdle, moderated by your correspondent. Both contributors are in flying form, providing fledgling photographers – and some experienced hands who’ve snuck in as well! – with expert tips on breaking into the field, as well as a few choice anecdotes about photographing such big names as Franz Ferdinand and Arcade Fire.

However, asked to name their favourite performers to photograph, both panellists choose Irish acts: Naomi goes for The Sawdoctors, while Graham plumps for Damien Dempsey. Graham also cites Anton Corbijn as his favourite rock photographer, remarking that the Dutch lensman started out by taking shots of one of his favourite groups, Joy Division.
Next up is a panel discussion entitled “Songs Should Have Some Bloody Meaning”, which is chaired by Hot Press’ Colm O’Hare and features Mick Pyro, Sharon Corr, Ronan Hardiman and Dave Odlum as guests. Sharon reveals that she had a decidedly auspicious start to her songwriting career, with the first song she penned being none other than ‘So Young’ – which of course went to become to a huge hit for The Corrs.
While Hardiman and Odlum are very reasoned and give young songwriters a hugely valuable perspective on the craft, Republic Of Loose frontman Pyro makes some highly witty and perceptive contributions. Remarkably, he states that the brilliant ‘You Know It’ was in fact inspired by the refrain at the end of Michael Jackson’s ‘Man In The Mirror’.
Pyro also makes the astute observation that a well-executed whoop or holler can in fact convey as much emotion and meaning as a perfectly crafted lyric. And when you think of, say, James Brown’s trademark, foot-stomping “Huh!”, you know that the Republic Of Loose singer is making a very good point indeed.
Downstairs on the thronged arena floor, patrons try out drums, keyboards, guitars and sundry other instruments at the various exhibitors’ stands with great gusto, while added attractions such as the HMV Inspirations Gallery and U2’s Trabants also prove very popular.
The 2fm stand is a buzz of activity, with an acoustic performance by The Coronas sparking a touch of Corona-mania, and Larry Gogan broadcasting live to the nation. “It was absolutely brilliant,” 2fm's Helen Cullen says later. “There was such a great buzz throughout the whole weekend.”
Classical aficionados are out in force for one of the highlights of the early afternoon, the masterclass by the renowned guitarist John Feeley. Meanwhile, over at the Live Stage, virtuoso musician Jerry Donahue performs fretwork magic and provides advice to an enthusiastic audience of aspiring guitar-slingers.
The Live Stage is also the setting for a powerful performance by Republic Of Loose, who create a real party atmosphere courtesy of their scintillating funk-rock grooves, playing to a heaving joint of enthusiastic fans – many of them new recruits to the ROL cause.
Back in the seminar room, Paul Charles, Liam O Maonlai and Derek Nally having given a marvellously informative picture of the importance of live music in a rapidly changing industry, an impressive array of industry experts are assembled for a debate on Irish radio, which is titled “Are Irish Artists Still In The Doghouse?” As always, the question of whether or not Irish artists receive enough airplay elicits some passionate responses, although order is maintained at all times by the unflappable Stuart Clark.
There are some notably frank contributions from 2FM’s Ian Wilson, who insists that DAB is dead, while Today FM’s Willie O’Reilly makes the point that artists have to be savvy when it comes to targeting the strand of programming to which their music is most suited. Jon Richards of Galway Bay FM emphasises that he’s on the side of the Irish musicians trying to get a look in and Maria Doyle Kennedy cuts to the heart of the matter, arguing very effectively that there is more than enough great new Irish music out there – and that Irish artists really do deserve exposure during the daytime hours when audiences are at their peak.
Back on the exhibition floor, Michael Brown of Big Bear is buzzing on the success of the weekend. “The Music Show has arrived,” he told Hot Press. “It has been a great weekend. There’s always ways of making things better, but it has been brilliant.” Gerry Forde of Roland – also one of the key figures behind the new retail giant, X-Music, who announced their presence in no uncertain terms – has been one of the show’s biggest supporters. ““We always believed that Ireland could do a show like this,” he says, “and it’s been proven this weekend. The crowds have been great, and we’re really pleased with the way things have gone. People who were sceptical have been proven wrong.”
Conor Mulhall from Macro Music, whose stand featured a Mini Cooper – to demonstrate how easily a drum kit could fit into it! – is similarly upbeat in his assessment. “It had to work this year,” he states. “But it did. It’s been a huge success, with lots of people who were really interested in the gear and a great sense of excitement.”
With those endorsemnts ringing in our ears – and needing some respite after the intense discussion in the Red Room! – we head back to the Live Stage to catch a characteristically superb performance by the irrepressible Damien Dempsey. Damo plays a cracking selection of his finest tunes, and strikes up an easy rapport with the audience, thanks to his good-humoured banter (discussing the demise of the PDs, the singer notes that he still possesses some treasured party memorabilia – including a Michael McDowell dartboard). The set concludes with a wonderful ‘It’s All Good’, which ends in a mass singalong. Afterwards, young fans gather backstage for autographs, in a scene reminiscent of a visit to Santa’s grotto!
Overall, it’s entirely fitting that a hugely enjoyable weekend should conclude on such a positive and uplifting note.