The village of Macosquin near Coleraine will become ‘Madchester’ for the night on Saturday 30 April when two of the UK’s best tribute bands take to the stage at Big Marquee Weekend II in the grounds of Mary Pat’s Bar.
In another major coup for organisers Robert Todd and Drew Hutchinson, it can now be confirmed that Glasgow-based Stone Roses tribute band Resurrection and Belfast Oasis boys Roll With It will top the bill on the second night of the three-day music festival.
Formed in 1998 and originally touring under the name The Complete Stone Roses, Resurrection have been described by legendary Stone Roses bassist Mani as “the best Stone Roses tribute around.”
And with the Manchester indie kings now back together and set to play a series of sell-out stadium gigs this summer, Resurrection – who have toured with The Inspiral Carpets and count Northern Ireland’s Snow Patrol amongst their celebrity fans - have never been in greater demand.
MADE OF STONE: Glasgow band Resurrection confirmed for Big Marquee Weekend II
Ricky Toner, who gives a brilliant live performance as Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, said Resurrection are already looking forward to the trip across the Irish Sea as part of their UK tour.
“We’ve heard about the success of last year’s Big Marquee Weekend and are excited about having the chance to take to the same stage next month,” Ricky commented.
“There are a lot of Roses fans in Northern Ireland and with rumours that the band might be releasing new material later in the year, a whole new generation will get to experience their music. Resurrection love doing what we do and can’t wait to share all of the old Roses hits with festival goers in Macosquin.”
And the Madchester nostalgia will not end there with Belfast Oasis look and sound-alikes Roll With It making a triumphant return to the Big Marquee Weekend stage after stealing the show at last year’s inaugural event.
ROCK AND ROLL STARS: Oasis copycats Roll With It promising fans another special night in Macosquin
Nick McCay, who will again strap on the rhythm guitar in the guise of founding Oasis member Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, promised another gig to remember.
“We filmed our promotional video at last summer’s Big Marquee Weekend and couldn’t have chosen a better gig to capture on camera,” Nick explained. “The crowd were off the scale and, with Resurrection joining Roll With It on the bill this year, fans of the Manchester music scene are guaranteed a special night. Are we madferit? You bet we are.”
Also back by public demand, energetic Coleraine four-piece Cellar Door - who went down a storm in Macosquin last summer – will again kick-off a mighty Saturday night of live music, with Steady and Tigger taking to the decks between sets to blast out a procession of celebrated Madchester anthems.
Last week it was announced that Scotland’s top-ranked DJ Mallorca Lee will open Big Marquee Weekend II with a spectacular dance night on Friday 29 April, featuring top notch support from Craig Dalzell.
The artists performing on Sunday 1 May – the final day of the event - will be revealed next week when tickets also go on sale.