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Press Release
8th Panarts Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and Songwriting Convention 22-26 February 2012
With the internet, home recording and self publishing, there’s never been a better time to be creative and get involved in music. All over Northern Ireland, people are sitting down with their guitars and keyboards to write songs and in February, more than one hundred artists will play in thirty five concerts at the 8th Panarts Belfast Nashville Songwriters® Festival.
Bringing together award winning international writers with local talent, the annual event is a celebration of the art of song writing and in March next year, some local artists will also showcase in Nashville, Tennessee. Panarts Director Colin Magee said;
“we started these unique music events in Belfast and Nashville eight years ago and work with international performers who are willing to share a stage with great local artists like Shauna Tohill, Aaron Shanley and Thom Southern. The ‘Songwriters In The Round’ gigs have become our most popular events and give a real boost to emerging writers. We also attract an audience from many different countries, helping the local economy during the quiet winter months”
Nick Lowe & Band will play a special opener concert on 16th February and from 22nd – 26th February, Belfast will come alive to the sound of singer-songwriters John Oates USA (of Hall & Oates), Nanci Griffith USA, Todd Snider USA, Mark Nevin, 4 of Us (acoustic show), Iain Archer, Bap Kennedy and Gareth Dunlop to name a few. One of the highlights of the five day festival of song will be a BMI & CMA sponsored event. With fifteen number one hits in the Billboard charts, Clint Black will play the CMA Songwriters Series concert with award winning Nashville country writers Bill Anderson and Bob DiPiero.
Rosa Solinas, Head of Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “The Belfast Nashville Festival places songwriters centre stage, providing a platform for them to develop their craft and perform alongside some of the most celebrated names in the business. It raises the international profile of the music and musicians emerging from this island, which is very good news for Northern Ireland.”
Running parallel to the thirty five concerts and showcases is the 8th Panarts Song Writing Convention™. Each year, music industry experts and writers share their skills and knowledge in fifteen workshops and panel discussions. World-class songwriters such as John Oates (‘She’s Gone’, ‘Maneater’) and Mark Nevin (‘Perfect’ and songs for Morrissey & David Bowie) will demonstrate how they write their award winning songs while PRS for Music and BMI will answer questions on copyright, royalties and income streams.
The songwriter’s festival is sponsored by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Laganside Department for Social Development, Botanic Inns & Madisons Hotel, PRS for Music, BMI and Country Music Association, Avalon Guitars, The Empire, Castlereagh Arts
Tickets go on sale from Tuesday 22nd November at www.belfastnashville.com or Easons Ticketmaster.co.uk 02890 323744 and Belfast Welcome Centre 02890 246609 |
