All-day music gig for Mayo lakeside venue
Crowds at The Lodge pub at Lough Conn enjoying the music of Junk Drawer last year.
After a wildly memorable debut last year, the Conncert returns to the shores of Lough Conn on Saturday, August 9.
Held in a former fishing lodge turned pub overlooking the famous north Mayo lake, the Conncert is a volunteer-run all-day music event with eight sonically diverse acts from all over Ireland.
This year’s lineup continues the Conncert’s tradition of defying genre and celebrating innovation with psych rock, punk rock, experimental music invoking the cosmos and much more.
Among the acts playing at this year’s event are Biological Speculation, The Bonk, Elaine Malone, Hedgling, Human Lanterns, Nichts and Nonsleep. There will also be a performance by Patrick Kelleher, who was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in 2012 for his synth-pop album . Gigs and musical output have been rare in recent years for Patrick, so this promises to be a special appearance.
The Conncert crew all spent their formative years in the local underground and punk scenes in Ballina, and have carried that DIY ethos into wider projects across Ireland and the UK including Ballina Punx, which organiser Conor Hickey played a formative role in creating.
“These events are so important,” said Conor. “Not even for the music but more so for the camaraderie and the shared experience and having it in a place like The Lodge takes that up another couple of notches.”
John Breslin and Patrick Hallinan are also among the Conncert crew.
“I’ve been imagining an experimental gig in The Lodge every time I’ve been back for a pint since a few of us played covers there as 18-year-olds. So it’s been a long time coming,” said John.
“It’s a labour of love. We take no money from it, so what drives us is quite simple: bringing a bunch of people together to share music, where something special can happen,” said Patrick.
In keeping with that spirit of independence and co-support, all proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the artists, sound engineers, and designers.
The event takes place at The Lodge, Cloghans, Lough Conn (F26 XY81) on Saturday, August 9 from 3pm till late. Tickets are €25 plus booking fee and can be purchased at tickettailor.com. Camping in available on site beside The Lodge and for more information, contact theconcert@gmail.com.
