Lisa Hannigan, The Staves, Deirdre O’Kane, and The Tallest Man on Earth are just four of the acts performing at this year’s Open House Festival in Bangor, County Down.
The Festival returns to Bangor for its thirteenth annual outing since 2013. With more than fifty events announced today, and many more to come, it will attract around 50 thousand visitors to the city over the summer period.
The focal venues for ticketed events will be the festival stage at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, and the Court House on Bangor seafront, the award-winning music and arts venue established by Open House in 2022.
Lisa Hannigan and The Staves have both performed sellout shows at the festival in previous years, but this will be the first visit to Bangor for Deirdre O’Kane, one of Ireland’s most popular comedians, and the Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth. All four will be appearing at the Walled Garden, as will American country singer Ashley Campbell, daughter of the legendary Glen Campbell.
Other music guests at this year’s festival include Donegal sisters The Henry Girls, the renowned Irish singer songwriter, and younger brother of Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, the Bangor/Yorkshire indie-soul band Skinny Living, and Bangor’s own The Florentinas.
Over the past few years, a strong comedy lineup has become synonymous with the festival, and this summer will be no different. Aside from Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere and Emer Maguire have also been announced today.
Literary guests include Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled, the explosive exposé on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, journalist Sally Hayden whose new book This is Also a Love Story is predicted to be as impactful as her previous award winning My Fourth Time, We Drowned, and Gina Goldhammer, the former editor of Henry Kissinger who has published her first novel at the age of 72.
Other events include a Court House music residency with upcoming jazz singer Madi McCullough, a photography exhibition by Bangor photographer, artist, and musician Rachel McCarthy, a DJ set by Pete Snodden, and the annual Bank Holiday Monday Celtic Soul gig in the Walled Garden.
And it wouldn’t be summer in Bangor without the annual free Open House Festival Picnic in the Park series in Ward Park every Sunday afternoon throughout July and August. Acts performing this year include punk favourites Wasted Talent, the ever-popular, crowd-drawing 19th Street Band and Anna’s Number, and new to the park, the Queen tribute band, Queen Magic.
“We are announcing the festival a little bit earlier than normal this year,” said Open House director, Kieran Gilmore, “but with everything going on in the world, we decided people deserved something to look forward to. Our festival has become a teenager this year, and that is really something to celebrate, as when we moved it to Bangor from Belfast in 2012, we didn’t know how things would pan out. Thirteen years on and we’re still here, but this is a really tough business to be in just now. We’re very grateful for the funding assistance we still receive, but ultimately it is the support from our audiences and the local arts and business communities that keeps us going. We hope they like what we have planned for them this summer.”
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said: “Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to support the 13th annual Open House Festival, taking place from 1–31 August. With a wide range of events scheduled throughout the month, including nine Sunday afternoons of Picnic in the Park, and almost two weeks of programming in the beautiful Bangor Castle Walled Garden – this year’s Festival promises a rich and varied offering. The programme features music, comedy, literary, art, and food and drink events, showcasing an exciting mix of local, national, and international talent. Held in Bangor locations such as the award‑winning Court House, the Festival is set to attract increased footfall to the City, giving our local economy a welcome boost. There truly is something for everyone, and I wish all those participating a very enjoyable and successful Festival.”
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added: “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support the 13th Open House Festival, thanks to The National Lottery players. This festival brings world-class arts and music to the city of Bangor every year and once again has curated a terrific programme featuring something to suit all tastes. I would encourage everyone to go and enjoy everything that this wonderful festival has to offer.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Thursday 9th April. To purchase tickets and view the full festival programme go to: www.openhousefestival.com
Open House Festival is an arts charity supported by Ards & North Down Borough Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
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