Ballina will provide the stunning backdrop for Other Voices, the internationally acclaimed music television series and arts festival, this September 28 and 29.
From Dingle to Derry, New York to Belfast, Texas to London, Berlin and beyond, Ballina joins the global network of towns and cities that map the rich and diverse musical journey of Other Voices.
At the end of September, the Mayo town will explode into life with song, story, conversation and debate, during a weekend of live music, creative partnerships and diverse discussions with artists and speakers from across the world, joining together to raise their voices. The Other Voices live TV recordings will take place in the 250-year old St Michael’s Church in the heart of Ballina, while the Other Voices Music Trail will run across a multitude of venues, bars, pubs and clubs throughout the town.
Also taking place during the Other Voices Ballina weekend will be the annual Food Fleadh Ballina, hosted by Ballina Chamber of Commerce at the Old Military Quarter in the town centre. This culinary feast will highlight the very best local, seasonal, sustainable food, and a wealth of produce on offer from the fertile lands and rivers of Ballina and North Mayo. Along with a host of market stalls and tasting menus, join many of Mayo’s most celebrated chefs and food producers for demonstrations, workshops and much more.
Speaking at the launch of Other Voices Ballina 2018 in St Michael’s Church on Thursday, Tom Gilligan, Director of Services at Mayo County Council stated: “I’m absolutely delighted that Other Voices is coming to Ballina. Which represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the remarkable cultural talent and gifts the town possesses in terms of music and the arts. This is a game-changer for Mayo and reflects our passion for music and culture. It’s our heartbeat, it’s what makes us unique.”
Other Voices Executive Producer Philip King added: “All of us were delighted to accept the invitation to bring Other Voices to beautiful Ballina in Co. Mayo. We have strong connections with the county, Other Voices producer Tina O’Reilly is a Westport native and in a way, producing Other Voices in Ballina is bringing it all back home for us.”
Anne-Marie Flynn of Mayo North Promotions Office added: “We’re delighted to welcome the Other Voices team to Ballina this September and look forward to working with them and supporting them in every way we can to deliver this amazing, internationally acclaimed event. Showcasing the very best of musical talent, we’re excited that the production will also serve to showcase our beautiful town to a national and international audience, many of whom we hope will be inspired to visit us here in County Mayo as a result.”
The first act to be announced for St Michael’s Church in September is local songwriter and performer Maria Kelly. The selection of the Westport native offers a true reflection of Other Voices on-going commitment to showcasing the very best emerging music talent. As one of the breakthrough Irish artists of 2018, Maria topped the poll in the Other Voices Open Call 2017, to secure a spot at the IMRO Other Room at Other Voices Dingle last December. Maria will be joined by a host of international and Irish acts at the TV recording event, with artists being announced over the coming months. Maria joined Other Voices presenter and Le Galaxie frontwoman May Kay, to celebrate the launch of Other Voices Ballina in St Michael’s Church on Thursday.
The Other Voices Open Call Ballina 2018 is now accepting submissions. This year, Other Voices invite artists of all genres to submit one track to be considered for a performance slot on the Other Voices Ballina Music Trail in September 2018. For details and submissions see www.othervoices.ie Tickets for Other Voices Ballina are free but limited and will only be available through local media and online competitions, which will be announced in late Summer on www.othervoices.ie and @OtherVoicesLive on Facebook and Twitter.
