Musicians from White Chalk are calling on the people of Westmeath to vote for them next weekend as they go head-to-head with nine other bands from across Ireland in the final stage of 2fm’s Play The Picnic with Oxfam competition.
Lead vocalist Conor Quinn (25 ), backing vocalist Niamh Kirby (25 ), and drummer Brian Masterson (22 ) are all from Mullingar (Castletown Geoghan and Ardmore Road ) and, along with their bandmates, were last month among the 10 acts chosen from almost 500 entries nationwide to play Oxfam Ireland’s Oxjam tent at the Electric Picnic in Stradbally Estate, Co Laois, from August 29-31.
Now White Chalk are calling on local support as they and the other finalists have their winning track (recorded at RTÉ 2fm’s state of the art studios ) played on the station across the weekend of August 9-10 in a public text vote competition to find one overall winning act.
The winner will go on to play The Cosby Stage - joining bands like Savages and Little Bear on the bill - at the festival and win a studio session with some of Ireland’s top sound engineers.
Conor Quinn from White Chalk said: “We are already over the moon to be part of the Electric Picnic line-up thanks to RTÉ 2fm and Oxfam Ireland’s Oxjam stage. It would be a dream come true to go on to play The Cosby Stage, an even bigger stage with an even bigger crowd!
“We’re so grateful to the people of Westmeath for supporting us to get this far but we’re asking them to please tune into 2fm over August 9 and 10 and send a quick text to vote for us and help put Westmeath on the music map!”
To vote for White Chalk text Picnic10 to 50300, 100 per cent of every €2 donated via text across most networks will go to Oxfam Ireland’s work. Some networks apply VAT where a minimum of €1.63 will go to the charity. The service is provided by LIKECHARITY.
Oxfam spokesperson Ciara Gaynor said: “We’re delighted to be part of a competition that will see 10 up-and-coming Irish acts play at one of the largest music festivals in the country.
“By supporting home-grown talent, the people of Westmeath will also be raising vital funds for Oxfam’s work such as our current emergency response in South Sudan with all proceeds from the text vote being donated to Oxfam Ireland and helping to save lives overseas.”
