Preparations are gathering apace for Music Ireland ’06, a two-day feast of all things blow-, bang-, strum-, pluck- and turn up-able, which takes place on November 25 and 26 in the RDS Main Hall, Dublin. With record and DVD retailers, band merchandising, music technology firms like Apple, hi fi and home entertainment outfits and a host of other music-related ventures on board, it is shaping up to be a pre-Christmas showcase par excellence for the entire industry.
Supported by IMRO and hotpress, it’s the largest event of its kind ever staged in this country, and is aimed at everyone – from the casual fan to industry professionals. Musicians will, of course, get a chance to see all of the latest instruments and innovations.
Music Ireland is the brainchild of Nick Orton and Ollie Upton, whose Pioneer Shows organisation also runs December’s Irish Motor Show.
“We felt there was a lot of potential last year when we ran Music Ireland for the first time and, sure enough, we had big manufacturers like Roland, Sennheiser, Daisy Rock, Marshal, Sabian and Pearl with us from the off,” Upton enthuses. “This year, we’ve got Fender, JHS, Peavey and Korg looking to come over, so the exhibition part of the event will be even bigger. Things are shaping up really well.
“We’re also adding to the technology side of things and, with hotpress’ help, there’s going to be a real wow factor. We’re also expanding the live stage, which was headlined last year by Mundy, The Walls and The Revs who did our launch party for us as well. And there’ll be lots of PAs by well-known artists.”
The Music Ireland ’06 line-up also includes a wide range of seminars, demo rooms, instrument training sessions, computer technology, home recording equipment, vocal coaching and a special DJ and broadcasting section.
“The plan is to make Music Ireland ’06 as all-encompassing as possible. We’ll have a really good mix of people attending, so that everyone is going to feel that they are part of a major event,” Ollie concludes. “There’s three months to go and already the interest is phenomenal.”
Specially priced advance tickets, which offer visitors to the exhibition access to all of the activities planned, are available from www.musicireland.ie/book.html priced €8 (adults) and children (€3).