Video: From Glasgowbury to Glastonbury for Magherafelt guitarist

Shea TohillShea Tohill
Shea Tohill
Less than a year ago, Magherafelt musician Shea Tohill performed at the last Glasgowbury festival outside Draperstown.

On Friday, the guitarist and his band The Wood Burning Savages will take to the stage at the slightly larger big brother - Glastonbury - probably the largest and most famous musical festival in the world.

“It’s like the messiah of all festivals”, said an excited Shea as he took time out from tutoring classes at the Glasgowbury hub in Draperstown.

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“It’s like Christmas, like a dream to be playing Glastonbury, I’ve watched it on TV, it’s a great stepping stone for us and just a great privilege.”

Shea TohillShea Tohill
Shea Tohill

The 21-year-old will play the BBC Introducing Stage at the iconic five day music mecca in Somerset, after stopping a renowned BBC DJ in his tracks.

“We played a gig in the Nerve Centre in Derry, and BBC Radio 6 DJ Tom Robinson came up to us and said we were one the of best live bands he had seen in a while, so then we were chosen as his pitch for the stage at Glastonbury and they must have liked us.”

While there can no be greater exposure than playing Glastonbury - over 170,000 music fans expected this weekend - Shea is quick to reference the impact of the legendary Glasgowbury music group, which is alive and well in Draperstown with more exciting plans in the pipeline.

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“Glasgowbury has been a huge influence, it was a dream to be able to play it last year.

“I came here a few years ago on work experience, and I met Paddy Glasgow and his wife Stella, and they really gave me the encouragement to keep going.

“That combined with a set of parents who have always encouraged me to follow my dream, that has inspired me to do continue.

“Without Glasgowbury, God knows what I would be at, probably be studying history at college or something,” the former Rainey Endowed pupil laughed.

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