Rising '21 – the highly anticipated new series of intimate outdoor events in Joe Lee's Bar in Tullamore – kicks off at 2pm today, August 5. Taking place across three days (August 5–7), the festival will feature six live gigs, with a thrilling array of local and national talent set to perform.

Following the acclaimed trad performers this afternoon, the festival will feature rock, alternative, hip-hop, blues, electronic music and more – as well as comedy and spoken word. The glue set to hold all of this together is local man and Hot Press scribe Pat Carty, who will be taking care of MC duties – so you can expect plenty of banter with the acts over the course of the next few days...

Thursday – Early Gig

Doors open at 2pm

The festival kicks off with a traditional concert this afternoon, with headliner Damien Mullane. Sean O’Meara and Conor Broderick will accompany Damien, and support will come from some of Offaly’s most talented traditional musicians. Plus – comedy from Keith Fox.

Thursday – Late Gig

Doors open at 7pm

The Thursday night will feature Simon Casey, Alex Roe and Kathy Durkin, who will be joined by an impressive selection of musicians. Plus – comedy from Keith Fox.

Friday –Early Gig

Doors open at 1.30pm

On the Friday afternoon, two local acts Gavin Ghee and Dubh Lee are set to perform, with Jerry Fish headlining. The former frontman of An Emotional Fish is guaranteed to be a highlight of the festival, with tickets for this show expected to move fast. Plus – comedy from Birr man Edwin Sammon, famed for his role in Bridget & Eamon.

Friday – Late Gig

Doors open at 7pm

Friday night will feature Choice Music Prize-nominated producer Daithí – who has earned a reputation as one of the country's most beloved acts. Local DJs House of 76 will also perform on the night, as well as Cork's streaming sensations 49th and Main. Plus – comedy from Edwin Sammon.

Saturday – Early Gig

Doors open at 1pm

Saturday afternoon, meanwhile, is for the rockers – with Gorilla Radio kicking off the show, and local band Blind Dog performing their acclaimed brand of blues rock. Combining elements of folk, hard rock and blues rock, Crow Black Chicken will also be making their fourth appearance at Joe Lee's. David Mallaghan will provide some spoken word and comedy throughout the afternoon.

Saturday – Late Gig

Doors open at 7pm

To cap off the festival, the ultimate party band Electric Dreams will be supplying one of the best live '80s sets in the country on the Saturday night. Alongside Electric Dreams, local performers Rí Rá (Scary Éire), Cormac Lally (spoken word) and The Toxic Twins will also be bringing their own unique flavours to the festival.

Tickets are available from leesbar.ie. Proceeds from sales will go to the Friends of Tullamore General Hospital and We Are The Support Act.

Rising '21 has been part-funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media from the Live Performance Support Scheme.

With all Covid-19 safety protocols being adhered to, including social distancing between groups of gig-goers, tickets for Rising '21 are sold in pods of two, three, four or six, with allocated seating and a maximum capacity of 50 people per show. Tickets start at €50 plus booking fee for a pod of two.

Temperature checks, contact tracing, table service and mask wearing will all be mandatory.

Full bar service will be available with table service, or by using Joe Lee's online ordering app, which can be scanned from the QR code on each table.

For more information, see leesbar.ie