All advertising is free till May 1st 2008. Please contact Webmaster@CraicOn.com

BeatlesFest a qualified success

Posted Friday, September 21, 2007

 E-mail this page    Printer-friendly page

BeatlesFest in Moville

It wasn't as big as the DylanFest in late June / early July but it was a good enough weekend especially for the time of the year.

Perhaps the biggest factor, so I'm told, keeping the crowds down a little was the absence of music in the main square or Malin Road.

The pubs, who are the main sponsors, didn't feel that there would be enough interest at this time of the year to justify their outlay on it.

Happy Enough

However, several local businesses were happy enough.

Rosatos were pleased with their weekend with their Friday night being like a Saturday night. Their Saturday night was very good according to owner Eddie Harkin.

Pleased

Barron's were also pretty pleased with their weekend being fully booked and doing a whole heap of food if not as much as the DylanFest weekends.

The hostel wasn't busy but that was probably because this time round the publicity was pitched at the surrounding towns.

It was, though, a handy boost to the local economy before the dark days of the winter.

Strangers in Town

There were quite a few what are called locally 'strangers' about the town (most other holdiay towns call them visitors) - especially on the Saturday night.

According to spectators the standard of the music was varied with good acts in some pubs and not-so-good in other pubs.

Enjoyable

However, most of those who attended the BeatlesFest said that they had enjoyed it.

I must say I enjoyed it myself. I enjoy especially the Sunday nights at the festivals. It's a mellow night and all of the pressure is off me by then.

James and Paul

I took in James McIvor and Paul Bredin at Rosatos (Note:- Paul McCartney's full name is James Paul McCartney).

A couple of guys from Derry got up afterwards and played a set of Beatles tunes to much encouragement from the audience as well as from James and Paul who had a well earned rest.

Eddie Harkin promptly booked them for a gig in Rosatos.

Part of the Calendar

I think that the DylanFest, which broke all records, should now be part of the calendar and can only get bigger.

Perhaps the BeatlesFest deserves another slot in the calendar instead of taking place after everybody has gone back to school, university or work.

It definitely needs to be out in the street too as that is a big draw and allows people with children to come and watch as well.

It's always great to see the kids dancing in front of the stage.

Delayed Decision

I think I'll leave a decision on both festivals till next year.

It's time for me to get back to my real work which is my website giving advice to IT Contractors in the UK.

I've been leaving that on automatic pilot a bit during the summer and it has suffered a little because of that.

St. Patrick's Weekend

I have noticed though that St. Patrick's Day is on a Monday next year.

So, it could be turned into a Festival Weekend instead of just a Festival Day.

Hmmmm!

Type of Music

I wonder what sort of music you would put on for a St. Patrick's Festival Weekend.

I would think it would have to be Irish music whether tradtional or modern - but there is a traditional music weekend in February already in Moville.

Maybe it should be moved to the St. Patrick's Weekend.

Maybe a new weekend could be created of modern Irish music.

Electric Picnic

My sister and her band played Electric Picnic this year and have just put an album out.

I wonder if she would play. I wonder if she knows other bands who would play.

I must be mad to even think about it.