Fender, Marshall, Natal, Zildjian Cymbals, Casio and Pearl have all confirmed for The Music Show, which takes place in the RDS, Dublin on February 25 and 26.
The latest influx of exhibitors, which also saw retailers X-Music as a recent addition, brings the numbers involved in this year’s show to a record high – a firm sign that the Irish instrument and equipment business is beginning to fight off the recession blues.
“There is a great buzz now about the show,” says Mark Hogan, “with some of the biggest instrument manufacturers in the world getting on board. Times are tough, make no mistake, but the mood now is that The Music Show is exactly what the scene here needs. There are so many great Irish musicians and bands – and our appetite for making music is as strong as ever. If the industry pulls together, then the only way is up.”
With over 50 exhibitors already lined up, the show will offer musicians and fans a greater number of opportunities to check out the goods than ever before. It will also bring together a list of world class speakers.
“There is a fantastic line-up of masterclasses, clinics, speakers and panellists coming together,” Hogan adds. “Just this morning we confirmed that Tom Kenny – an Irish lighting genius who has worked at the very highest level in the business internationally – will be involved, which will be a source of fantastic knowledge and inspiration for anyone interested in how to mount a show or an event of any kind.”
Kenny has worked variously with David Bowie, Eric Clapton, The Who, AC/DC, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Elvis Costello and Shakira – among dozens more – as well as with MTV, VH1 and Top Of The Pops.
Other confirmed names in the musical masterclass mould include guitarists Pat McManus and Eric Bell and hotshot drummer David Lyttle. A celebrated jazz maestro with a PhD to his name, the highly rated Lyttle has just released a hugely impressive urban album, Interlude, which features Mercury-nominee and two-time MOBO-winner Soweto Kinch, bassist Pino Palladino (Adele), keyboardist Jason Rebello (Sting) and a number of guest rappers, singers and instrumentalists, including bassist Keith Duffy (The Corrs, Ronan Keating).
Other key names confirmed include the legendary hip hop producer and DJ Arthur Baker and DJ and remixer Jon Carter, ensuring that there will be a huge amount to interest fans of a great groove.
“The line-up is going to be fantastic,” Hogan said. “Over the next few weeks, we will be announcing a brilliant bill for the live stage, as well as some really great, prestige names names for the panels, seminars and public interviews – and a couple of major launches. We are thrilled with the support the show is getting at the very highest level. Whether in Irish or world terms, music is one of the greatest resources we have as a society – and that will be reflected fully in what we do at The Music Show 2012.”