SO:NI launches new music night at the Island

The team have had a presence in Lisburn for some time – promoting the city’s longest running live music showcase in Hague’s Bar on a monthly basis for close to five years. This event will be the sixth different regular SO:NI live showcase night, and of course they have also been heavily involved with the music at Sunflowerfest from the beginning.

The first of the ‘Sounds of the New Island Arts Centre’ gigs takes place this Saturday (November 3), and SO:NI have made sure to kick things off in style – courtesy of a very strong four band line-up.

Headliners The Dead Presidents are a fantastically entertaining live act – combining elements of rock, funk and soul in an irresistible mix – featuring a full brass section, and they silky vocals of charismatic frontman Matt Wilson. Special guests on the night are Nasa Assassin – who’s massive groves, riffs and powerful tunes are cementing their reputation as a live experience to be reckoned with – always intense, but with a wicked and winning sense of humour. These two bands alone make for a strong double header, but two Lisburn outfits will also be providing support.

Whanau are a melting pot of pop, rock , country & blues – and have written a clutch of massively catchy tunes, and Smoking Tongue are a soulful alt-rock band with Pearl Jam influences, who recently took first prize in the Lisburn Battle of The Bands.

Doors open at 8pm and admission is only £5 – tickets are available at the venue, though it is also possible to pay at the door. It’s worth noting that unlike most other SO:NI shows, anyone aged 14 and over is welcome at this gig – a great bonus to the younger music fans in the area. A full bar is available for anyone 18 and over (id required).

The SO:NI team hope this will be the first in a successful run of shows at this excellent venue – working in tandem with the ongoing shows at Hague’s Bar on the last Thursday of each month.