The Inside Track: the fest days of our lives

Summer has arrived and with it the start of festival season. Heineken Green Energy and Kilkenny Rhythm And Roots kick things off on the May Bank Holiday and usher in three months of live treats.
And you can take part! In the North, the Glasgowbury Festival is currently accepting submissions from bands. In the past, Ann Scott, The Immediate, The Answer, The Rags, In Case Of Fire and Mojo Fury have all featured at this highlight of Derry’s cultural calendar. Check www.glasgowbury.ie for details.
In other northern news Belfast three-piece escape act have just released their debut EP Hot Air on Twist & Shout Records. This is some quality, tuneful, indie-pop. The band have lined up a slew of gigs over the next few weeks, playing Lavery’s Bunker, Belfast on Saturday May 12 with The Elliots and The Spirit Store, Dundalk on Friday June 8 with Chrome Horse.
Fellow Northerners The Answer continue their upward trajectory.
They have just accepted an offer from Aerosmith to support them at two live shows in the UK in June. In the past the band have played with The Who and Whitesnake in the UK and Eagles Of Death Metal in Australia. They play Dublin’s Temple Bar Music Centre on May 10 and Mandela Hall, Belfast on May 11.
Continuing on a live note, Neosupervital head out on a nationwide tour at the start of May (check hotpress.com for details). On this occasion you can witness the expanded four-piece line-up, and the tour supports the top new tune ‘Now That I’ve Found It’.
Moving west next, and David Hope’s debut album A Picture has just been released on his own label. The long-player was produced by Terry Woods of The Pogues fame and also features his mandolin and banjo skills! Other luminaries on the long-player are Paul Harrigan on accordian and fiddle and Mary Coughlan on backing vocals. In the past, David has supported Mary Black, Jack L and Ms Coughlan herself. Watch this space!
A belated congratulations to the students and artists at Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education (DCFE) who recently hit the top 5 with the compilation Our Space. Over five months the students slaved away on all aspects of the release, from recording to mixing and promotion, and the hard work paid off!
From May 4 you can get your mitts on a copy of the wonderful new album from Dry County, Unexpected Falls (Lazybird Records). Having just supported David Kitt at his recent Whelan’s appearances the band set off on their own nationwide tour which kick off on may 12 in Crawdaddy. Check hotpress.com for further details.
Residents of the Premier County, The Rumours are preparing to unleash themselves on your unsuspecting eardrums with an upcoming debut single, ‘Keep It Going’. The band consists of five friends with a common love of all things rock. Their demo was recently selected by our very own Jackie Hayden as ‘Pick of the Fortnight’. Last year London’s Matchbox Recordings chose their song ‘Run And Hide’ as a featured track on their The Big Indie Comeback Compilation. Another highlight of the year was a performance at the sold-out Electric Picnic extravaganza. Will keep you posted on further developments!