Other Voices Ballina Announces First Acts

Five more acts have yet to be announced in what is set to be an incredible explosion of music and performance in St. Michael’s Church.

With the festival set to take place on September 28 & 29, the Mayo town is pulling out all the stops to showcase the best of Irish talent.

Organisers have also promised over 30 free gigs across various venues across Ballina over the Other Voices Festival.

Due to the complexity of securing tickets to the performances in the Church, live streaming will be made available in multiple locations in Ballina so attendants don't miss a moment of music. Huge screens will be fitted across different locations across Ballina with HD screens.

With a range of musicians set to perform, here's a bit of information about the first three acts who have been announced.

Dublin based Little Green Cars have toured across the world, performing to crowds as far as Australia. Their most recent album, Ephemera , reflects on their teenage years and their collective experiences of being on the road.

Mayo native Seamus Fogarty is returning to his home county with his band. Blending together all forms of musical genre, Fogarty has received critial acclaim for his music, with songs having been featured on programmes on the BBC and RTE. His newest album The Curious Hand has been described as 'stunning' and 'mercurial' by the Guardian, who also featured him in their list for Top 100 songs of 2017.

Singer Maria Kelly is also no stranger to Mayo having spent grown up there. Her single, 'Stitches', was considered one of 'The 50 Best Tracks of 2016' by the Irish Times. Her musical abilities have caught the attention of James Vincent Murrow, who asked her to support him on his tour. Her performances at Electric Picnic, the National Concert Hall and London's Barbican have earned her a wide following from fans all across Europe.

Other Voices isn't just interested in catering to music lover. Foodies will have a wonderful time as well with the fifth Food Fleadh Ballina planned to run alongside the festival. With almost 100 chefs set to take part, crowds will be spoiled for choice with some of the best culinary delights the island has to offer. Audiences can also take part in seafood foraging trips, cooking demonstrations and crafting their own beer.

The Other Voices festival has been a unique part of the Irish music scene since 2002 establishing itself as a "musical pilgrimage for the mind and the soul". Having featured artists like Amy Winehouse and Ellie Goulding in the past, the festival is recognised globally as an important event in the music industry.

Other Voices Ballina 2018 is made possible with the support and partnership of Mayo County Council, Mayo.ie, Ballina Chamber, Mayo North, Ballina.ie, Wild Atlantic Way, Coca Cola, Ballina Arts Centre, The Jackie Clarke Collection, Music Generation Mayo and Core Music Hub.

Facebook: OtherVoices Twitter & Instagram: @othervoiceslive

Share your Other Voices Ballina experiences #OTHERVOICESBALLINA

Tickets for the St. Michael’s Church TV recording performances cannot be purchased and will be given away through competitions in national and local radio, press and online. All ticket competitions will be announced in advance at www.othervoices.ie

Check out music from the acts that have been announced:

Little Green Cars:

Seamus Fogarty:

Maria Kelly: