A NEW Fermanagh-based promoter is hoping to reinvigorate the music scene here.
Made up of a range of local musicians, ‘Penny Jar Promotions’ has already started making its mark with plans for a range of gigs over the next few weeks. Darken Miller, 20, from Irvinestown explained: “The idea came about when I was trying to book gigs for my own band elsewhere in Ireland.
I realised I was always searching for a promoter in a specific area. It became apparent that there was no promoter really in Fermanagh so I thought since a group of us had been organising various gigs in Enniskillen it would be worthwhile starting a promotions company and alas we have Penny Jar Promotions.”
The promoters say that they want to help new Fermanagh artists get involved in the local scene – as well as bringing in artists from across the country. The locals involved are: Darren, Francis McNally, Gareth Jones, Josh Phair and Mark Miller.
So far, the promotions company has been running Friday night gigs in Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen – and will hold their first open mic night in association with Blakes of the Hollow on Friday night, October 24.
Of this Friday, Darren explained: “Currently we have myself, Captain Casey, Krum, Michael Smith, Adam Doherty, Hydrophonex, Sean McDermott. We would love to see hidden talents from the Fermanagh area come down and give it a go. Even if someone is shy, we could pop them on early when people are starting to come in, just to get their confidence up.” They have also lined up a Halloween fancy dress gig at Charlie’s Bar. “The line-up for that gig is pretty exciting.
We have the brilliant Golden South, Draperstown’s “Cold Clean Dirt”, Subordinate and The DMs upstairs and a selection of brilliant acoustic acts downstairs in the bar including Captain Casey, Conor Phillips and Adam Doherty,” Darren added.
“As well as these various events we have also just finished booking our line-up for Cradle Rock 2015 which will be in Blakes of the Hollow on Saturday January 3.
Details of that will be posted after Halloween.
They are also donating the proceedings from Halloween and Cradle Rock toward Motor Neurone Disease after the bereavement of a relative within our close friend circle.”