- Music
- 27 Mar 08
2moro never knows
In just two years the 2fm 2moro 2our has grown into a high-profile showcase for Ireland's best new talent. Ahead of the latest jaunt, the featured acts tell Colm Russell what it means to them.
Since first being staged in November 2006, the 2fm 2moro 2our has proven such a resounding success that it's now a bi-annual event.
The showcase has highlighted the Irish rock scene’s inherent eclecticism, with acts like Givemanakick and Messiah J & The Expert getting to do their very individual things. The benefits of such high-profile exposure aren't lost on the latest trio of bands to head out on 2our.
“Put it this way – the amount of people I’ll play to in two weeks would normally take me two years!” enthuses Juno Falls frontman Myles O’Reilly. “I’m always travelling around the country playing to people. Unfortunately it’s not always to big crowds, but I always sell a bunch of CDs afterwards. Hopefully on this tour I’ll sell a few more.”
“It’s so many people in such a small space of time,” agrees The Coronas' lead singer Danny O’Reilly. “Also, because 2fm are supporting the participating bands, the exposure that comes with it is great too.”
Having recently sold-out Dublin’s Ambassador Theatre, the Terenure quartet are no strangers to the big stage. However, O'Reilly reckons that the 2moro line-up has a unique appeal.
“It’s great that the three bands are from different. Boss Volenti are very ‘rock’ whereas Juno Falls are a bit more mellow, and us, well whatever we are – I don’t know what you’d call it – but I think it’s good to have that sort of mix.”
“What makes it really great is that the tickets for the gigs are free,” proffers Boss Volenti’s Rob Daly. “We could never afford to do that for our own gigs. It immediately gives you a chance to play to a bunch of people who would probably never come to see you otherwise.”
Having toured with everyone from Therapy? to Snow Patrol in his remarkably enduring career as Ireland’s most speed-dialled sticksman, how does the set-up differ for BV’s Graham Hopkins?
“I look at it in a completely different light simply because touring with Boss Volenti is the best musical experience I’ve ever had.”
An old hand at this touring malarkey, will it be up to Hoppo to introduce his less-experienced counterparts to the debauched ways of the road?
“No, it won’t be like that at all. Sure I’ll be tucked up in bed every night with a good book,” he claims with a wry grin.
Something tells us that’s unlikely to be the case.
The 2FM 2moro 2our runs nationwide from April 16 to 28
