Midsummer Sessions Will Have Portstewart in Full Swing for the Irish Open

Town tees up for the arrival of golfing's elite with the announcement of four days of free gigs showcasing NI's best

With golf mania currently gripping Portstewart ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, over 30 of Northern Ireland's finest musicians will soon be joining the party as the town hosts Midsummer Sessions from July 6 to 9.

Taking place in tandem with the tournament, hosted by Rory McIroy's Rory Foundation, a series live performances in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants and bars will form a four-day music trail which will be entirely free to enjoy.

As the world's golfing elite descend on the Atlantic coast, visitors will have the opportunity to see some of the country's top contemporary artists play in intimate settings for a full hour each, starting each day at 4.00pm. See below for a complete timetable of who will be performing where.

Organised by the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, which recently brought us the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, Midsummer Sessions follows the sell-out success of Atlantic Sessions in 2016 and its subsequent 2017 NI Tourism Award. 

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, said: 'Following the recent success of Atlantic Sessions at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards I am delighted to welcome Midsummer Sessions to Portstewart. With huge numbers of visitors expected in the area for the Irish Open it provides an exciting showcase for our home grown musical talent. World class golf coupled with this fantastic line-up of entertainment means Portstewart is tee-ing up for a memorable start to the summer season.'

Verse Chorus Verse

Hometown artist VerseChorusVerse will be performing in the Marina Restaurant on Saturday July 8

With a rise in the number, and quality, of musicians and bands making headlines and enjoying success in the international marketplace, and new and innovative music businesses based here, Midsummer Sessions has a significant role to play in developing music tourism, appreciating the on-going success stories and showcasing this on the global stage. 

As with Atlantic Sessions, programming of Midsummer Sessions is by Snow Water, this time in association with Third Bar. Director Carolyn Mathers commented: 'Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its artistic talent and Midsummer Sessions is a perfect opportunity to showcase our creative energy to international audiences, who will have an opportunity to witness our finest singer-songwriters and bands play live in intimate environments. We’re very grateful for the support of the hospitality sector and delighted that interest in Northern Ireland’s music scene is stronger than ever.'

With over 10 venues in Portstewart taking part, artists involved include Beauty Sleep, Brand New Friend, Callum Stewart, Chris Keyes, Cup o Joe with Eilidh Patterson, Emer Maguire, Gerry Norman, Larks, Mandy and Graham Bingham, Matt McGinn, Peter J McCauley, Rory Nellis, Joshua Burnisde, No Oil Paintings, Sam Wickens, Son of the Hound, Tony Villiers and the Villains and VerseChorusVerse. For further venue details visit www.atlanticsessions.com/venuesmidsummer.

Midsummer Sessions Poster

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