The buzz is building for Buskfest contest

The buzz is building for BuskFest, as Ireland’s fastest-growing busking festival returns to the streets of Banbridge this Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jun 2014, 07:00 BST

Music fans will be in for a treat when over 80 performers take to the town centre between 1.00pm and 4.30pm.

The festival is a full-on family affair with something for all ages, including free face-painting at the Old Town Hall for little ones.

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The fun then continues in Solitude Park from 4.30pm as Allison McGrath and Soulantics take to the stage to get the crowd dancing, before the Awards Ceremony, hosted by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean. The winners of each of the six categories will then perform.

The Solitude audience can expect some serious serenading if last year’s success stories are anything to go by:

Juram Gavero (Best Individual 2013) has recently made it through the audition stage of this year’s X Factor, while Sarah Toner (Best Junior 2013) supported 
Jordan O’Keefe on some of his local tour dates.

The Left Backs, who performed last year, were named ‘Best Band’ at the Irish Youth Music Awards in April, and Worn Down Shoes (Overall Winners 2013), Cup O’ Joe (Best Band 2013) and The Molly Maguires (The Outlet Spirit of Buskfest Winners 2013) are now household names to local music fans playing regular gigs around Northern Ireland.

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Over 60 different acts have already registered, with the hope of winning a share of the generous £3,000 ‘hat’.

Performers will compete in a number of categories including Overall Winner, Best Individual, Best Band, Best Performance, Best Junior Performer and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, sponsored by The Outlet.

Once again, this year, the Overall Winner will be given the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Sunflowerfest, held at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough from August 22 to 25.

It’s not too late to get on board for BuskFest. Performers can still register between 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday 21st June at the Old Town Hall, Scarva Street, Banbridge, or online at www.buskfest.com anytime up on to event day.

Further details about the festival, rules of the competition and how to register are all available on the official website at www.buskfest.com and on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/buskfest

Related topics:BanbridgeIreland