Ash, The Divine Comedy and The Undertones for Belfast charity gig

A benefit gig has been announced for November 3 in Belfast's Ulster Hall, featuring live performances from three of the North's finest acts - Ash, The Divine Comedy and The Undertones. Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Downpatrick trio Ash will present their excellent debut album, 1977, which featured hits like 'Oh Yeah', 'Goldfinger' and 'Girl From Mars'.

The Divine Comedy - accompanied by a string quartet - will play their 1994 Promenade album, while The Undertones will perform their debut self-titled album from 1979, including 'Teenage Kicks’, ‘Get Over You’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ and ‘Here Comes The Summer’.

Ash's Tim Wheeler explains his involvement in the event: “My dad passed away in January this year. He'd been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2008... I spent a lot of time in the hospital with him and saw many other patients and families going through exactly the same thing as we were going through... It is a growing worldwide problem and as yet there is no cure. The main hope seems to be in prevention and a lot of funding for research is needed. So using the uplifting power of great music we are going to make a contribution. It's going to be a wonderful and emotional night for me."

Neil Hannon, whose dad also has Alzheimer's, says: "My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's several years ago. It is a debilitating and frustrating condition, and affects not just the sufferer but all those around them. It is however possible, with early diagnosis and medication, to continue living a meaningful and enjoyable life as my dad has shown. I find him as entertaining now as ever, just in a much more random sort of way. I'm delighted to finally get this opportunity to do my bit for the cause. It should be a fantastic night!”

Tickets, priced £20 and £22, will go on sale on Thursday, September 22 at 9am at the Ulster Hall box office: [link]www.ulsterhall.co.uk[/link] and [link]www.ticketmaster.co.uk[/link]

Or, you can donate to this fantastic cause via JustGiving or by text:
[link]www.justgiving.com/ulsterhallmusicbenefit[/link]

Text: ULST77 to 70070 for a donation of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.