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The 6th Annual Guinness Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival will be held Feb 24-28, 2010. 150 songwriters will take part in the event which will feature 20 seminars and 42 concerts. More information about the event can be found at their website http://www.belfastnashville.com/ Tickets may be purchased through the website. I wish I was on that side of the pond as I have a strong suspicion that Belfast today is as much a hot bed of music and creativity as Liverpool was in the 50s and 60s. Liverpool launched The Beatles and enough other great groups that what was known as the British Invasion landed on the shores of the US and the world and forever changed the face of music. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a Celtic Invasion hit the world any time now with the talent coming out of Ireland and the UK and the talented people the world over who are making their music in Celtic style using traditional Celtic Instruments.

Our readers from the Belfast area should definitely take this event in. The next supergroup a la the Beatles might be right on your doorstep. Two of Fanrealm’s favorites are taking part in the festival. Mickey Coleman will be there on the 24th and Oracle will be playing on the 27th along with another band Oracle’s lead guitarist Chris Logan plays in called Exit. I have listened to them on my space too and they are excellent.

Thanks so much to David from Oracle for the heads up on this event. Oracle will be playing at 8PM sharp on the 27th. You don’t want to miss them (remember that whole Beatles warning above.. ).They are definitely a band to watch. This is a link to get tickets for the Black Box where Oracle will be appearing on Sat night Black Box tickets Black Box is at 18 Hill Street. Doors open at 8PM and Oracle is first up so don’t be late. Tickets are £5 plus P + P.

Oracle is a band I ran into on MySpace. At the time I knew nothing about them other than the fact that I loved their music. I have since been in contact with David and he sent me a band bio. I hope to have photos to add when they become available.

Oracle was formed by singer/songwriter David McClean and Brian Mellors in 2009. Chris Logan (lead guitar) and Christopher Hylands (drums) complete the line up. The band are currently working towards a debut EP with recordings “Lost and Lonely” and “Best Days” having already received airplay on local radio. Another song “Final Mile” has also received airplay on Cool FM (N Ireland’s largest radio station) but this song is not expected to be on the mini album that is as yet untitled. Chris Logan has also acted as producer and he has used his expertise to achieve a very polished and marketable sound. Currently they are rehearsing with plans for some gigs in Belfast in the new year to showcase the music. A music video is also in the pipeline for the band.

David McClean -Vocals, rhythm guitar
Chris Logan -Lead guitar, backing vocals
Brian Mellors -Bass, backing vocals
Chris Hylands- Percussion

You can hear samples of their music at the band’s myspace page http://www.myspace.com/davidmcclean

This is a great band with a great future. Go and give them a listen. Be sure and friend them too. Let them know how you found them. The more exposure we can deliver to bands the more bands we can get you info on. As fans we need to support indie bands so they keep making great music for us to listen to. And for our readers in Northern Ireland, check them out in person at one of their upcoming gigs.