A MELODY of music artists are set to take centre stage at a Bangor record store in hopes of raising funds for Ukraine. Bangor record store, Bending Sounds will play host to three different musicians tomorrow night (Friday) at a free event aimed at raising funds to provide humanitarian aid directly to those suffering in Ukraine.
Michael Mormecha, BECAH and Tracey Gallagher will each take to the stage, performing live sessions during the event which kicks off at 7.45pm in the store located at Banks Lane in the town. Store owner, Stephen Boyd, has recently hosted a number of charity fundraising events, with free performances from music artists for War Child’s Ukraine appeal. However, funds from this week’s concert will go directly to helping music artist Michael Mormecha, in his endeavour to fill a lorry with donations which will directly support humanitarian aid to displaced families, orphans and refugees in Ukraine.
The music artist who hails from Lisburn, and comes from Ukraine lineage, was inspired to fill his van last month with donations and journey to Ukraine, when family members in the country said they did not want to leave their homeland.
Having completed the 2,000 mile road trip from Lisburn to Chernivtsi, his eyes are now set on filling another van to help aid the Ukrainian crisis. “We hope to get people down to the shop for the event and they can donate when they are there,” Stephen said. Stephen said when the war broke out in Ukraine, he wanted to find a way to help. “I thought what can we do as a wee small record shop in Bangor and this is what we came up with,” said, noting the live entertainment nights. “Every Friday night we have been holding some live music in-store or some sort of live event to try and get people down and donating.” Speaking about tomorrow’s fundraising event, he continued: “Michael’s grandfather was Ukrainian and he still has family in Ukraine. “He contacted his family to see if he could get them out of there but they refused to leave and so he filled up his van and actually headed over with a van filled with aid to Chernivtsi and distributed it with his mates and team. “When he got back they began talking about filling a 40 foot container to actually drive over.” Stephen said the fundraising would help support donations and aid being sent to the front line in Ukraine.
Next week the record store will be back to supporting War Child, a specialist charity for children affected by conflict. Hoping to encourage people to come out to the unmissable charity event, Stephen made reference to the ‘impressive line-up’. Fresh from touring the world with Amy Montgomery and Tru, Michael Mormecha has just finished recording a new solo album, and tomorrow’s performance at Bending Sound will be his first solo appearance since 2017.
Local indie artist BECHA, who is inspired by Jeff Buckley and Muse, will bring darkly intimate lyrics and gorgeous vocals smothered in synth and guitar tomorrow night. Also taking to the stage will be Mayo artist Tracey Gallagher, with her rich, haunting vocals and sharp and catchy song writing style. She cites Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Aimee Mann amongst her influences. No tickets are required for the event, simply turn up, enjoy and donate.
