Murphy’s Live festival

The Blizzards, Irish band from Mullingar

Above you see The Blizzards, a local band from Mullingar making good. They are performing the headlining slot at the Murphy’s Live 2007 contest showcase in Cork next year. Murphy’s Live is a series of 6 live heats that start with the Blizzards gig next January 18 in Cork. The competition is geared to expose up and coming Irish bands by pitting them against each other for the privilege of performing with some of Ireland’s most successful live acts. Oh yeah, and they could win some money and a 6 month recording contract. Six heats with two bands each will strip the contestants down to 4 final bands with only one grand prize winner.

The Murphy’s Live panel of judges includes Angela Dorgan of the Federation of Music Collectives (FMC), Shilpa Gantra of HOTPRESS and a representative from Murphy’s. HOTPRESS magazine’s Assistant Editor, Stuart Clark, released a statement: “Whether it’s U2, Snow Patrol or Director, the success of all big Irish acts is predominantly down to gigging. Murphy’s Live is the perfect platform for young bands, both in terms of the large, enthusiastic audience they’ll get to play to, and the attention the tour receives from key media and music industry people.”