Ballina Punx have resurrected Fesant Fest

Ballina Punx has gone through many alterations, transitions, break-ups, beginnings of something great and have had their fair share of heartbreak. Their magnum opus has, and always will be, Fesant Fest and long-standing member ‘Sid’ Murphy recently sat down with the Western People to discuss the upcoming return of Fesant Fest as it emerges like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Much like Lazarus, Fesant Fest has risen from the dead.

Fesant Fest’s inaugural gig took place some 14 years ago in Emmett Maloney’s – a haven and solitude for original and innovative music – when his pub was located in Ardnaree and one must take some solace that the previous Fesant Fest took place in the same venue, albeit in a different location – Hill Street.

Sid picks up the story.

“I got into punk as a teenager and retain that love to this day so it was a natural progression to play in bands and Fesant Fest really is - or was - the culmination of that. The first gig had loads of bands and went on ‘til about 1:30 in the morning!” 

Ballina Punx includes current members Sid and fellow YOP members Conor Hickey and Momme Reibisch, although many bands have formed, performed, travelled, shared the trials and tribulations and disbanded including Tension Head and Alps. Other bands are the aforementioned YOP and Nichts – a play upon the Ballina-esque slang term for surprise ‘Nix’. Core group Vallium also recently performed.

With the untimely passing of Emmett Maloney and the subsequent closure of his pub/live music venue, the Ballina Punx struggled to find a venue for their original and innovative gigs. Some gigs were held in Tarbh 47/Brennan’s and the Ballina Arts Centre where the upcoming Fesant Fest will be held.

Eight bands will perform from 5pm to the early hours this Saturday, June 7th. The Ballina Punx recently secured the NCF venue on Pearse Street above the formerly Albany Paints.

“There is no membership fee at the moment [for the NCF venue] but that may change due to running costs and it’s not-for-profit,” Sid explained

The last Fesant Fest gig to take place was in Emmett’s in 2018 and this year's return promises to be a fantastic evening of punk music.

“We have Creepy Future from Dublin; Burning Realm who are also based in Dublin; Tramp who are from Donegal/Derry, Talking Knives from Fermanagh; two bands from Galway – Rural Hate who are a punk supergroup with two ex-members from Ten Tonne Slug and Mongrel – and Churchhouse Creepers from Sligo; then, from Ballina there are YOP and Nichts.” Sid outlined to this reporter.

For those on the fence about attending or not, Sid has a simple but effective message:

“It’s not a seated gig and we will have a full bar. For €20 you will see eight bands so that’s €2.50 a band. If you can at all, or want to hear something different, do attend.” 

Fesant Fest begins at 5pm on Saturday, June 7th, in the Ballina Arts Centre and tickets can be purchased from ballinaartscentre.com for €20 + €1 booking fee.