Music
31 Oct 06

Murphy's Live 2007 Announced

The line-up for this year’s Murphy’s Live extravaganza has just been unveiled and, as predicted in our last issue, it’s a cracker! Supported throughout by hotpress, the headline acts and ports of call are The Blizzards @ Cork (January 18); The Marshals @ Whelan’s, Dublin (25); Delorentos @ The Granary, Killarney (February 1); Dae Kim @ Geoff’s, Waterford (8); Vesta Varo @ Dolan’s, Limerick (15); and Hybrasil @ Whelan’s, Dublin (22). Of course, there's a competitive element to the trek, with two unsigned acts being selected each night to play support. Four go through to the Cork and Dublin semi-finals in March 2007, and then the top 2 slug it out on May 10 for a prize fund of €10,000. This includes studio time, a six month management contract and the release and national distribution of an EP courtesy of FIFA Records. Last years winners were Lotus Lullaby, pictured right.

If you want in on the deal, log on to www.murphys.com before the December 1 closing-date. All entrants will receive feedback and a copy of the Murphy’s Live Survival Guide.
Good luck!

Up and coming bands are invited to send in their demos before the closing date of 1st December 2006 to be in with a chance to be part of this exceptional line-up. Look out for entry forms in bars, cafes and venues nationwide or upload your MP3 at www.murphys.com. Every band that enters will receive feedback and a copy of the Murphy¹s Live Survival Guide full of tips on how to make it on the competitive live music scene.

Gig-goers should keep an eye out for details on how to get tickets to the Murphy¹s Live gigs and get the chance to see some of their favourite live acts in intimate venues with their friends. Full details of how to get these limited tickets will be available on the Murphy's website over the coming months. Margaret Barron of Murphy's commented, "It's great to have the opportunity to offer music fans the chance to see such well respected bands performing in small venues - the atmosphere will be incredible! We're sure live music enthusiasts will also really enjoy seeing some newcomers in the form of our Murphy's Live finalists performing and possibly even getting a first look at what could be the big live acts of tomorrow."

The Murphy's Live panel of judges includes Angela Dorgan of the Federation of Music Collectives (FMC), Shilpa Ganatra of HOTPRESS and a representative from Murphy's.
Speaking at the launch Angela Dorgan of FMC had the following advice "Murphy's live has proven itself to be a valuable way to cut your teeth live. My advice to bands is simple you will get out of this as much as you put in to it. Don't just enter and let it happen. If you are lucky enough to get in to one of the heats make sure you make it the best live show you've ever done. You'll never know who might be watching!!"

Murphy's Live is proudly supported by HOTPRESS and reflecting on the magazine's support for the Murphy's Live initiative, Assistant Editor, Stuart Clark, says: "Whether it's U2, Snow Patrol or Director, the success of all big Irish acts is predominantly down to gigging. Murphy's Live is the perfect platform for young bands, both in terms of the large, enthusiastic audience they'll get to play to, and the attention the tour receives from key media and music industry people."