There are just two weeks to go until the village of Macosquin near Coleraine plays host to a thrilling mix of big name dance, Britpop, indie and Irish country stars at Big Marquee Weekend II.
Scotland’s number one DJ Mallorca Lee will open the much-anticipated three-day event on Friday 29 April – staged once again in a purpose built marquee in the grounds of Mary Pat’s Bar - with a spectacular dance night also featuring sets from Craig Dalzell, Tizer and Booshanty.
Mallorca Lee
Macosquin will then be transformed into ‘Madchester’ for the night as Glasgow-based Stone Roses tribute band Resurrection and Belfast’s Oasis copycats Roll With It – who return after stealing the show at the inaugural Big Marquee Weekend - top Saturday’s bill with support from Coleraine’s ever-popular Cellar Door.
And on Sunday 1 May, singer-songwriter sensation Lee Matthews and his big band will bring the curtain down on a memorable festival of music when they headline a stirring line-up of local country talent which also includes rising star Ben Currie and JD Country.
Ricky Toner, who gives a brilliant live performance as Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown, said Resurrection were looking forward to the trip across the Irish Sea as part of their UK tour.
Resurrection
“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.”
Nick McCay from Roll With It – who will again strap on the rhythm guitar in the guise of founding Oasis member Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs - promised another gig to remember.
Roll With It
“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 Saturday night. Are we madferit? You bet we are.”
Sunday’s headliner Lee Matthews has already achieved eight Irish country download number one singles, penning four of them himself including ‘That Country Girl’ and ‘There's Irish In Our Eyes.’ The 27-year-old is currently enjoying commercial success with his second number one album, ‘It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,’ featuring his re-worked version of ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ which also reached top spot in the charts.
Lee Matthews
Lee said the Big Marquee was an ideal venue for his full big band show.
“I love taking my music to new places and playing in front of big, knowledgeable crowds,” he said. “I understand the marquee was packed to the rafters throughout the weekend in 2015 and there’s already a big demand for tickets this year. It promises to be a terrific three days of singing and dancing, and it’ll be wonderful for me to close the event with a taste of country on the Sunday night.”
Tickets for Big Marquee Weekend II are available from Mary Pat’s Bar, Card Land in Coleraine, Lou’s Boutique in Ballymoney, Jingles of Portrush or by calling Tel: 028 7034 4659.
Day tickets are priced at £10 for Friday, and £15 for Saturday and Sunday. A two-day ticket is also available priced at £25.