Terrential rain could not wipe the smile from my face (Fleadh Festival)

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Product:	Fleadh Festival
Date:	20/11/01 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The mix of music, the crowd, the atmosphere

Disadvantages: weather?

The FLEADH Festival has always been the highlight of my Summer. If you're wondering what the FLEADH is- here is a taster of some of the music that was on offer last time around:

NEIL YOUNG
WATERBOYS
AIMEE MANN
GARY MOORE
STARSAILOR
BILLY BRAGG
JASON DOWNS
CELTUS
THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG
AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM

Quite a mixed line up of music. So much so that there really is something to suit everyone's taste.

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?
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The FLEADH Festival has been running for 12 years.


WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL AND WHEN?
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Finsbury Park, London- usually held in early June.

WEATHER WITH YOU?
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Last Summer- it rained- and I mean rain. All through Starsailor there was terrential rain but it didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits but it did ruin a pair of boots! They were rotten when I got home!

WHO IS IN THE AUDIENCE?
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The great thing about FLEADH is the mixed audience. There are al age groups there. Babies in buggies, toddlers, teenagers, middle aged people, twentysomethings and Grannies and Grandads. The FLEADH is similar to Womad in that it is not a trendy festival but this is a bonus as there is rarely any trouble either.

STARS IN THE CROWD
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I have spotted Eddie Reader, Kate Moss, and Bob The Builder himself, Neil Morrisey- wading through the mud.

HEADLINERS
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Among the many headliners, Sting, The Corrs and James have all played here as the main act. If these are not your bag there is usually another headline act in one of the smaller tents.

IS IT IRISH?
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Well, to be honest it's as Irish as The Corrs' latest album some years. As in - not very. But there is always plenty of Irish music
to seek out- but not always as a headliner.

UNDISCOVERED GEMS
=================

I have seen some great 'new' acts here which I had not heard of prior to coming to the festival.

Among them:

AIMEE MANN-

Superb singer from America. Angst ridden folk is her game and she does it with style. If you have seen the film Magnolia- this lady features on the soundtrack.

www.aimeemann.com

CELTUS

This band are astonishing. I have seen them twice at the FLEADH Festival. They have a sound that is unique and very Irish. Think of real relaxing music which you can listen to in the car in a busy traffic jam- and these are your men. You can find more info on this talented threesome at the following web address:

www.folking.com/celtus

I urge you to check them out as they truly are an undiscovered gem.

PICTUREHOUSE

If Crowded House are your cup of tea- check out this talented Irish band. They have suppoted the Corrs and have a great live following that is ever growing.

HOW MUCH DOOYOO POINTS/POUNDS DOES IT COST?
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Well this does depend on where you go. I would advise you not to go through a boking agent. Sometimes the booking fee can be as much as £5 per ticket. I would recommend doing a postal booking. Call me old fashioned, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper. About 50p for booking fee through the post. Book about 6 weeks in advance if booking by post. Go to www.meanfiddler.com/fleadh

Pay no more than £35

BALLYGOWAN PURE IRISH WATER
===========================

There is plenty on sale but I would recommend drinking plenty of alcohol as sometimes you see that much water falling from the skies that you may want to drink something a tad stronger!

FRIENDS FROM FLEADH
===================

I have made many friends through FLEADH. You will find many of the
m at

www.folking.com/celtus/forum

So if you fancy FLEADH but do not want to go alone - there is always someone online here -
who will meet you and take you straight to the bar! They truly are lovely people here and I would recommend visiting the forum online as they chat about loads and it's not a chat room for those of you thinking of Sarah Lou in Corrie!

SOLD?
=====

If you want more info about FLEADH- go to

www.meanfiddler.com/fleadh

The site is updated- so subscribe to the email updates and you too could be stood next to me on a wet June day, drinking Ballygowan and singing: "SO YOUNG!"

END
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Thanks for reading. Enjoy your day

Glenn

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