Sponsored by Tiger Beer, the 3rd Annual Happy Valley Music Festival takes place in the music-mad, picturesque surrounds of Thomastown, Kilkenny from May 30th - June 1st, in what has fast become one of the popular events on the music calendar for fans and musicians alike. Each year the festival has striven to provide a blend of overseas acts with the very best of Ireland’s Indie scene, along with a host of other rock, traditional and novelty acts, in a festival that places as much emphasis on friendliness as it does on music.
Over the years, the event has seen such names as Delorentos, David Kitt, Jape, Hybrasil, Eugene Kelly, Stanley Super 800 and critically-acclaimed Scottish act, Frightened Rabbit, put on explosive shows to the music loving crowds that have become synonymous with an event that kicks off the summer music festival season in style.
Friday May 30th
A Free Gig featuring the alternative folk/roots stylings of Galway bands Fia Rua and The Rye
Saturday May 31st & Sunday June 1st
Electronic rockers and Choice Music Prize Winners, Super Extra Bonus Party, whose critically-acclaimed self-titled album has made them the hottest ticket on the Irish indie scene.
Seminal Kilkenny act, Engine Alley, who are credited with writing the musical blueprint that many Irish indie bands have since followed.
2008 Meteor Music Prize Winners, Ham Sandwich, whose recently released debut album Carry The Meek, has vaulted them to the top of the Irish Indie scene, led off by the infectious single, Click… Click… Boom, which was one of the anthems of last year.
Winners of Murphys Live 2007, Ilya K, a band renowned for their unique sound and positively incendiary live show, this Waterford act are on the brink of releasing their eagerly anticipated debut album and their superb recent single Pink Blood, has been enough to see them secure a slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
Former winners of the Global Battle of the Bands and 3-piece powerhouse, Kopek, whose hard edge and exceptional music has seen them travel the world playing everywhere from the smallest juke-joints to 50,000 strong arena crowds.
Rockers, Jaded Sun, one of only three Irish acts to play Croke Park (supporting Bon Jovi) and of whom Classic Rock UK recently declared: “Assuming we actually get a summer this year Jaded Sun ought to be part of the soundtrack in a very big way.”
Kill City Defectors, whose debut album Mutiny Sounds has been gathering more fans with every day of its existence and seen this Kildare act rightly held up as one of the most innovative and attention-grabbing bands on the national scene.
Among the many other acts that will grace the stage over the weekend are: Myp Et Jeep, Boss Volenti, Dali, Band On An Island, Somastate, Rifle Tower, 3 For The Morgue, The Lullabies, Indie Kids Can’t Dance, Hoarsebox, Pocket Promise, Karma Parking, Rarely Seen Above Ground and many, many more.
The weekend’s events will also feature a daily outdoor barbeque, a mysterious prize awarded to the band voted as “The Most Rockin’” by the audience, in addition to spot prizes, party tricks and a host of other activities befitting an event that has gained acclaim for fun, frolics and a feel-good atmosphere that is second to none.
Weekend Tickets cost €40 with early-bird special costing €35 and are available from Murphy’s Pub, Thomastown and Rollercoaster Records, Kilkenny. For more info, go to: www.myspace.com/eddiemurphyspub
Is it all ages?