Date: 13th – 16th September
Time: Various
Venue: Various locations in Portglenone
In the heart of Co. Antrim nestled between the major towns of Ballymena and Magherafelt lies the village of Portglenone. The village rests along the banks of the River Bann, which has been immortalised by countless artists and writers down through the years.
The ethos of the festival is to bring together musical traditions across all cultural divides and the direction pursued in recent years has been to incorporate the Ulster Scots tradition alongside Traditional Irish music. This has greatly enhanced audience participation in a diverse range of events. It has also meant that people from different sides of the community have become exposed to music, song and dance that they may not have been familiar with before.
The Gig’n The Bann Festival programme for 2018 will again include the usual mix of Concerts, Traditional Music Sessions, 5K Run and Walk, Praise Service and Art Exhibition. There is also the opportunity to hear world class pipe bands at the ‘Pipe’n the Bann’ event which is usually one of the highlights of the festival.
The main festival concerts are held in “The Old Shirt Factory” a really unique venue. As the title suggests this is a disused shirt factory, which is now a listed, building due to its historical importance in the village. The factory is converted into a 500 seat capacity concert hall with a first class light and sound system. The venue has been described by Sharon Shannon a previous performer at the festival as a “Mini Point Theatre”. Indeed this stage has been graced by may fine performers from both the worlds of traditional Irish and Ulster Scots music; Altan, Danu, Kieran Goss, Cara Dillon, Flook, Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, St Laurence O Toole Pipe Band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Bill Black Ceilidh Band to name just a few.
Each year Gig’n The Bann continues to grow and the organising committee strive to bring the top performers to an audience that rarely would have an opportunity to see these artists perform live.
So whether you want to join a session or listen to the sound of the pipes and drums or attend one of the many concerts or outdoor events over the course of the weekend I’m sure you will agree there is something for everyone! Mark the 13th – 16th September in your diaries and you will be assured a warm welcome and a weekend of top class entertainment on the banks of the Bann!
To find out more, visit: Gig’n The Bann
