Paddy has been featured in the 24/7 section of the Belfast Telegraph alongside Starsailor, Leya and Aslan as part of the hype for the Cinemagic Music Festival
Here is the article as printed in TwentyFourSeven:
The dream gig
The summer means one thing for music fans - festivals. And Belfast is getting in on the act, with an all-day open-air feast of live music tomorrow, as part of the CinemagicMusic festival. Edwin McFee talks to some of the performers and asks them about their own festival memories
23 June 2006
EXIT Chris Logan, guitarist
What's your dream festival line-up?
Queen, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Free, U2, Alterbridge, Flickerstick, AC/DC, Meatloaf, Nickelback, Iron Maiden, and lots more.
Have you ever been to a festival? If so, what has been the standout moment?
We've never been to a 'big' festival, but seeing Queen and Bon Jovi live is pretty hard to beat.
What do you think was the greatest festival/festival performance of all time?
It has to be Queen at Live Aid. This performance is a lesson to anyone who's even thinking about setting up a band. Their sheer mastery of the art of performance and songwriting is what it's all about.
If you could play any festival in the world, where would it be?
The main stage at Glastonbury.
How do you feel about playing such a big gig next week on home soil?
This gig represents the culmination of all the hard work the band has put in, so we are very excited. What makes it more special, however, is the fact that you are playing to your home-town crowd. The gig will also be the biggest crowd we've ever played to, so we aim to take full advantage of the opportunity to gain as many fans as possible and prove that good music, catchy choruses and anthemic songs aren't dead.
LEYA Gareth Hughes, bassist
What's your dream festival line-up?
Between all of us we'd pick KISS, Dave Matthews Band, Elbow and AC/DC. I think that'd be a good day out.
Have you ever been to a festival? If so, what has been the standout moment?
I saw the Jim Rose Circus Side Show at the Trip To Tipp three nights in a row back in the 1990s. That was really special. I also loved the Rollins Band at Reading 1995. They were as powerful in front of that huge crowd as they were the month before in The Limelight.
What do you think is the greatest festival/festival performance of all time?
Lollapalooza in its day was something special and pretty groundbreaking. My folks made it to see Jimi Hendrix at The Isle Of Wight a few weeks before he died and I'd like to have been at that.
If you could play any festival in the world, where would it be?
We'd like to headline on the main stage at next year's Glastonbury, of course. Either that or play The Big Day Out Festival in Brisbane, Australia. Fun in the sun.
How do you feel about playing such a big gig on Saturday on home soil?
Pretty stoked! It's just too much fun with the big stage and the crowds. The fact that we'll be playing to a home crowd makes it something to treasure.
STARSAILOR James Walsh, lead singer
What's your dream festival line-up?
To open up I'd have The Guillemots. I think they're a wicked new band. Then I'd have The Charlatans play because they're legends, and also Radiohead. I'd also have Bruce Springsteen headline because he doesn't really do many festival gigs and he's a big influence to me. It'd be pretty special.
Have you ever been to a festival? If so, what has been the standout moment?
We've played at loads of festivals but I remember T in the Park in Scotland being amazing. The crowd were really up for it. I think it's a Celtic thing that the Irish and the Scots have where whenever they go to a festival, they're totally up for it and just go mad.
Going to a gig as a punter is a totally different experience than going to one to play. There's more freedom when you go as a fan. My favourite moment was going to Glastonbury in 2000. Bowie was headlining and it was just amazing.
What do you think is the greatest festival/festival performance of all-time?
I'd have to say Woodstock. Sometimes I wonder if Woodstock was really that good though. It looks great on the TV and the film soundtrack but the music probably wasn't too good. It's like The Beatles at Shea Stadium - it's as much about the atmosphere and vibe as it is about the musical performances.
How do you feel about playing such a big gig tomorrow in Belfast?
I think it's going to be great. We're all looking forward to it. The great thing about Belfast is that you don't have to have perfect weather to enjoy something like this. People will still have a great time regardless.
ASLAN Tony McGuinness, bassist
What's your dream festival line-up?
My ultimate dream festival would include David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Doves and a ton more.
Have you ever been to a festival? If so, what has been the standout moment?
I don't get to go to many festivals but my favourite moment would have to be when we played with David Bowie in Slane. It was unbelievable.
What do you think is the greatest festival/festival moment of all time?
Glastonbury is the greatest festival. No reason, it just is.
How do you feel about playing such a big gig on Saturday in Belfast?
There's a great buzz in the camp about this gig. My father's side of the family are from Belfast so I personally have a connection there. We've recently got a great response up north so it's a new kind of buzz for the band. We can't wait.
PADDY MCKEOWN Singer/Songwriter
What's your dream festival line-up?
I'd choose many people both dead and alive. It'd probably be the longest festival in history! Off the bat though I'd have Bowie, the old Metallica, Alice in Chains, Esbjorn Svenson Trio, Louis Armstrong and I'd also have some guys like Rachmaninov and Debussy perform with orchestras. Ice Breaker playing renditions of Diderik Wagenaar's Tam Tam and Michael Gordon's Decasia, while a bunch of monks wearing tie-die robes, frolicking and drinking Buckfast to the bizarre sounds, would be great too.
What do you think is the greatest festival performance of all time?
I'd have to say Glastonbury because I haven't experienced any other festival, but I'd also choose it because it is a fantastic place to escape to and be free from day-to-day monotony.
If you could play any festival in the world, where would it be?
Once again, I'd pick Glastonbury. I'm sure playing at a load of different festivals would be sweet but Glastonbury is such a magical place. I also went to college not too far from there so it'd be great to get back to that neck of the woods.
How do you feel about playing such a big gig next week on home soil?
I feel great about it. It'll be the biggest crowd we've ever played to. Before we go on stage I think it'll be a bit nerve-racking, but it's good to see such an event happen on home turf. We need more of it!
The CinemagicMusic festival takes place in Custom House Square, Belfast, tomorrow. Tickets are £22 (student £18; family ticket £60) and will be available on the door. Doors open 1pm; concert due to start 2pm and run till 11pm. Further info at www.cinemagic.org.uk
