InterAct Festival succeeds for second year running

Principally funded by the Arts Council Northern Ireland and recognised as a project to aid community relations, the InterAct festival encouraged everyone from the ages of 12 – 21, regardless of background or belief, to come along and participate in the festival. The programme commenced on Friday, July 30 featuring sessions in digital music, drama techniques, carnival mask making and an animation class. As the week progressed, workshops continued, including classes in games design, dance, scriptwriting, photography, costume design and cheerleading, to name but a few!

The dedicated organisers worked hard to make sure the week was as enjoyable and memorable as possible, securing renowned artists such as Laura Doherty, Felicity McCall and Conleth Kane to facilitate the classes. Due to the vast number of workshops offered, a wide variety of venues across the city were required. These included; The Millennium Forum, The Playhouse, The Verbal Arts Centre and The Waterside Theatre. Over all the week proved a massive success and an extremely worthwhile project, with young people turning up in their hundreds, always showing great enthusiasm and a keen interest to participate.

The festival drew to a close, in typical wow factor style, with an all ages gig featuring chart topping Derry Originals ‘Fighting with Wire.’ Derry’s youth rolled in in their hundreds to support the infamous rock band, as well as the supporting acts; local group ‘Intermission’ and Belfast boys, ‘More than Conquerors.’

Ones to Watch

Intermission are a three piece from Derry, comprising two former members of Kharma 45; Glenn Rosborough on guitar and vocals and Phil Curran on drums. Grahame Bradley, formerly of ‘Empire’ completes the trio, playing bass guitar.

Glenn and Phil have already had a taste of stardom, as during their time in Kharma they had the privilege of living two years on the road touring the UK and Ireland, playing almost every festival from Reading and Leeds to T in the Park, and supporting bands such as We Are Scientists, Kasabien, One Night Only and Faithless. Intermission began after Glenn felt Kharma had run its course and he felt he wanted something new and fresh.

After taking some months to think and write, he decided he was ready to get a band going again and so he approached ex - band mate Phil and roped in childhood friend Grahame Bradley. Describing themselves as hard paced indie rock, the band have already played all over the city, in venues such as Mason’s, the Nerve Centre, as well as journeying frequently to Belfast to play in hotspots like The Empire, Aunt Annie’s and the Menagerie. Intermission will be back in Derry performing at the Playlist Festival on the 22nd August but until then they can be found playing in the Empire, this coming Thursday or at the Sunflower Festival in County Down on the 21st August. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/intermissionni#ixzz0wQ2VD7Tf.

Following Intermission was the Belfast based quartet – More than Conquerors. Although not a local band, More than Conquerors are no strangers to the city, having already played here several times in recent months. Emerging out of the trails of past bands, Kris Platt, Danny Ball, Jamie Neish and Danny Morton are based in Belfast and are becoming increasingly popular on the music scene there. Obtaining regular gigs in trendy haunts such as Aunt Annie’s, Stiff Kitten, Spring and Airbreak and Speak Easy, the band, who describe their music as hardcore/afro beat, are fairly working themselves up in the music biz. Highlights for them so far include supporting Mojo Fury, Ash (alongside Key of Atlas) and rising stars, General Fiasco, in the Mandela Hall.

Managed by lead singer of Mojo Fury, More than Conquerors are standing themselves in good stead for a successful and prosperous future. The band has a tour planned for the coming year, playing in many major cities around the UK. In between times and until then, the band have gigs planned in various venues around Northern Ireland, and hope to return to Derry at the end of the summer. Such a young band, yet one who has such drive, enthusiasm and complete raw talent, I have no doubt that their music will never be far from our ears. Check them out for yourselves on facebook or myspace.

When the final band of the night, headliners – Fighting with Wire - exploded on to the stage, the energy and excitement in the air was tangible as devout fans and new listeners alike, tuned in and let the music take over.

Emerging in 2003 from Derry city itself, this incredibly talented bunch, comprising of Cahir Doherty, Jamie King and Craig McKean have enjoyed massive success from far and wide. Playing in all of the UK and Ireland’s major music festivals, including Leeds and Reading, T in the Park and Oxegen, touring the UK and Europe as well as playing in several venues in America, there is little Fighting with Wire have not managed! And it seems they have no plans to quieten down any time soon, with upcoming gigs including the prestigious Belsonic Festival in Belfast as well as a recently announced tour of the UK, they have much zest left in them yet.

What is remarkable and admiring about this band is that even though they have a relative amount of star status, they do not come across as pretentious or arrogant in the slightest. In fact quite the opposite! As well as a tremendous show, Fighting with Wire, frequently engaged with its young audience, encouraging them to work hard and follow their dreams, reminding them that with the correct attitude and positive mindset, everything is possible.