New talent in the spotlight

Date Published: {J}

The annual IMRO tour shines a spotlight on Ireland’s best new musical talent and the dates have just been announced for the 2011 tour, which rolls into Galway on Saturday, September 24.

This year saw a record-breaking response to the call for entries, with more than 600 submissions made from young Irish acts, who were hoping to take part in the tour.

The eleven-date roadshow, which will take place between September 7 and September 30 takes in Belfast, Derry, Athlone, Cork, Mayo, Kildare, Limerick and Dublin, as well as Galway.

Fifty bands will participate in the tour and the cream of the crop will be chosen to perform at the Best of IMRO Showcase Tour 2011 in the Workman’s Club, Dublin on Saturday October 22. The day-long celebration in the capital city will see the IMRO Showcase bands take over the venue and the event will include multiple gigs, a number of all ages show, workshops, industry talks and much more.

The Galway leg of the Showcase tour, which will take place in the Róisín Dubh on Saturday, September 24, will feature sets from Clare born Daithí Ó Drónaí, Donegal’s Rainy Boy Sleep, Galway’s Junior85 and Ballinasloe’s Milan Jay.

Doors are 9pm and admission is free.