Tuning up for the Atlantic Sessions festival

The festival boasts a varied line-up that includes the headline act, Brian Houston, on Friday evening October 29th at the Playhouse in Portrush. Musical performances will continue until Sunday, October 31st, in many of the Coast’s pubs and restaurants.

Brian Houston is regarded as one of Britain’s great song writers. He is an independent successful artist who has been writing, recording and releasing albums for many years. He consistently produces work of a standard that led to multiple UK, Irish and American tours. In the past he has worked with well known performers such as Van Morrison and Nanci Griffith.

Brian’s new album ‘The Raw Sessions’ was released earlier this year and features songs with just voice and guitar. Brian’s performance in the Playhouse will not disappoint.

Organised by Coleraine Borough Council’s Tourism team and the Strands Good Food Collective, the festival boasts an impressive line-up featuring local bands from across Northern Ireland, Ireland and Canada. Many styles of contemporary and folk music will be performed as part of the festival including; acoustic, folk, indie, ‘roots’, and Celtic genres.

Over 18 free gigs are being offered as part of the Music Trail at venues in Portstewart, Portrush and Portballintrae.

Music lovers can take their pick of any of the free ‘sessions’ during the festival.

The line-up for this year embraces names that are well-known in the music circuit and some that are relatively new to the scene, including Ben Glover, Here Comes the Landed Gentry, Venue I, Tannasg, James O’Connor and Audrey Tranior, Pure Blarney, Ard Ri, Gerry Creen, Una McCann and Friends, Eilidh Patterson, Wookalily, Gentry Morris, Dick Glasgow and Guests, Whiskey in the Jar and Grooverobbers Unplugged.

The wider festival is complemented by Halloween entertainment, Fireworks Extravaganza and the Causeway Speciality Market.

Peter Thompson, Tourism Manager at Coleraine Borough Council, said; “We hope that the Atlantic Sessions Festival will grow year on year and will become a permanent cultural event for our area.

“Established as one of Northern Ireland’s up and coming music festivals, Atlantic Sessions offers an exciting and diverse programme that will instill a feel-good atmosphere into the bars, venues and restaurants over the Halloween weekend.

“I am really looking forward to this year’s event and would like to extend a huge welcome to those who are returning to take part in the festival, especially those musicians and visitors who are travelling to the North Coast and experiencing our hospitality for the first time.”

Tickets for the headline act, Brian Houston can be purchased directly from the Playhouse, Portrush or by calling their box office on 7082 4435.

Tickets for Amelia Curran and the Once, playing in Flowerfield Arts Centre on Sunday 31st October can be purchased from Flowerfield or by calling 7083 1400. All other performances are free, for further information visit www.atlanticsessions.com