FRIDAY April 2 sees the third annual Great Friday Festival get underway at a secret location in Limerick. The organisers, performers and volunteers will all be giving their time and services free of charge with all proceeds going to the Rape Crisis Mid-West. “The event is great fun to be involved with and it’s all for a great cause, it’s now in it’s third year, we have never had any trouble and the festival continues to go from strength to strength”, Great Friday organizer Mark Quinn tells the Limerick Post.
This year Limerick’s very own rock festival, boasts a fantastic line up of eleven bands, eleven DJs and three acoustic artists so far promising to be the greatest year yet. Funzo are a six piece, genre hopping musical outfit fronted by songwriter, Liam McDermott. Performing under a number of monikers and with over 30 different members since 2006, McDermott’s musical collective has evolved into a tightly-knit, versatile six-piece known as Funzo. (myspace.com/listentofunzo)
The Brad Pitt Light Orchestra are one of Limericks best known acts. Their on stage performance and melodic songs are the stuff of legend and they will no doubt shine on the festival stage.
Limerick band The Fewer the Better will make a welcome return to continue their unbroken record this year and are the only band to play at every Great Friday Festival to date. (myspace.com/thefewerthebetterband)
Acoustra are a four piece traditional/rock group formed in 2001. Their recent single Baku was launched in February and aims to raise funds for orphans in Baku, Azerbaijan. (myspace.com/acoustraireland)
Yukina are a genre breaking six piece hailing from Dublin. Their highly anticipated debut album Swamp Disco is due for release in the coming months. Definitely one to watch in 2010. (myspace.com/yukinaa)
The DC Experiment are a three piece band based in Dublin and hailing from Ireland, France and Hungary. Their fresh sound and energetic live performance is not to be missed. (myspace.com/thedcexperiment)
Grades of Shade have been described as Massive Attack meets Groove Armada. Their impassioned mix of rock, rap and electronics will be a highlight of the festival. (myspace.com/gradesofshade) Heirs to Nothing, Secret Police and Tidal Minds will also be playing on the main stage.
The DJ tent will also feature a range of talent from around the Country including Jamie Behan, Kevin Blake, Deadly Buzz, Unsafe Girl, Poctoe, Deego, Decorum, Dan Sykes, Ruan Flood, Tokin White Boy and Jonezy.
For revellers who fancy a change of pace the chill out tent will offer a change of pace with graffiti artists and acoustic acts including Benoit, Yvonne McCarthy and Andy Mooney.
As well as music there will be a variety of magicians and fire breathers and other performers at the event. The Munster versus Leinster match will also be shown on projector screens during the festival.
Once again the event will be held in a secret location, buses will begin departing Arthurs Quay bus stop at 11am and will continue half hourly until 10pm. Return buses will run half hourly from 11:30am and will continue until 1am.
Great Friday is a bring your own beer festival, tickets are available from Baker Place, The Brazen head and online from www.greatfriday.ie and are priced at €30 for basic ticket including shuttle transfer to and from Limerick. Combo tickets are available for €50 and include coach transfer to and from Cork, Dublin or Offaly.
All profits from the event will be donated Rape Crisis Mid West (formerly Limerick Rape Crisis Centre) founded in 1980 to provide a counseling and information services to adult survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
