The “50/50” live music fundraiser is taking place at Charlie’s Bar tonight (Friday) and will feature four fantastic local acts, I’m Not Maggie, Atticus Finch, The Irregular Heartbeats, and Michael Smith. 

Richard Ireson, bassist with both Atticus Finch and The Irregular Heartbeats, said: “It will have a mix of everything and it’ll build up through the night. We’ll start fairly quiet and we’ll have a bit of a hooley at the end.”

Richard explained the idea to hold a benefit concert had come from local guitarist Pete Creswell, who had originally intended it to raise funds for the victims of the Manchester attack. However, when the Grenfell fire tragedy happened halfway through organising, and with over £10 million already raised for Manchester, the bands decided instead to fundraise for those now in desperate need in London. 

“Imagining losing absolutely everything, including life. It doesn’t bare thinking about,” said Richard. “You would have to be a hard skinned person not to be effected by it.”

The musicians also wanted to raise money for a local charity, and chose Cancer Connect as Richard himself has personal experience of the great work they do as his wife Karen suffers from lymphoma. 

“That’s the reason we decided to do it 50/50 between these two very deserving charities,” he said. 

Doors open at 8pm on Friday, with the first band taking the stage at 9pm. Admission is £5, and goes directly to the charities. 

If you can’t make it on Friday night, but would still like to donate, you can leave an envelope marked “50/50” with your donation in reception at Fermanagh House.