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GENERAL INFO
| DIRECTORS WELCOMEALL FIRED UP THE MOST EXCITING MUSIC AT THE MOMENT IS COMING OUT OF THE AMERICAN ROOTS SCENE. IT’S BEEN BUBBLING UNDER FOR SOME TIME AND IS NOW BREAKING OUT IN ALL SORTS OF UNLIKELY PLACES. A ROOTS EXPLOSION ON A GRAND SCALE. This is not so much an unplugged approach to music, as a return to the source of the music itself. Young musicians who grew up on Nirvana, AC/DC and the Specials are taking up the fiddle and the banjo, and finding the punk spirit in the music of the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi Delta. We don’t mean punk rock per se – we mean an independence of mind, a DIY attitude and an uncompromising, honest approach. This year we’ve plunged head first into this creative pool to bring you a festival with real fire in its belly. Which brings me to ChilliFest, a three day event celebrating the Cajun and Creole food, music and culture of Louisiana. This is a festival-within-a-festival, which all takes place in our fantastic new marquee in Custom House Square. Chilli cook-offs, hot chilli eating competitions, cookery demonstrations and authentic Cajun music – if it relates to the red hot chilli, you’ll find it there. We even have our own Open House chilli sauce. From the Destroyers, an anarchic 15 piece gypsy-punk orchestra, to the Earl Brothers, those hillbilly-goths from California, to the piping powerhouse of At First Light – for us this is a programme that boasts real depth, not just big names or the usual suspects. We have worked hard to bring bands that you wouldn’t get a chance to see outside of this festival like the Hackensaw Boys and the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, and we’ve even commissioned our very own Elvis anniversary event in a bluegrass stylie. Open House has a loyal audience that trusts our maverick taste – this year we hope we’ve done you proud. As I write, the Rotterdam and Pats Bar in the historic Sailortown area of Belfast lie closed with a demolition order hanging over them. What Belfast doesn’t need is another apartment block in their place. Get out there and support your local musicians, your local music venues and your local music festivals. Kieran Gilmore FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
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