By Iain Gray
AUGUST’S Open House Festival will see Bangor open its doors to more than 80 events – with at least one taking place every day of the month.
It’s the first time the festival has been able to return to its daily schedule since Covid hit, and sees a variety of names from music, comedy, literature and film, centred mainly around the twin hubs of the city’s Walled Garden and Open House’s own award-winning Court House.
With more than 50,000 people predicted to come to the summer’s packed schedule, the festival’s sure to have Bangor buzzing.
Acts performing under a stretch tent in the bucolic Walled Garden include 11-man Cork outfit Whitehorse Guitar Club, as well as comedian Jarlath Regan, best known for his Irishman Abroad podcast, and English indie-soul band Skinny Living.
Stand-up Shane Todd will host a live episode of his popular podcast Tea With Me, while the big movie screening will be last year’s Oscar-winning summer hit Barbie.
The Court House hosts This is the Kit, aka English musician Kate Stables, renowned Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy, comedy harpist Ursula Burns, and seasoned County Down singer Wilfie Gilbert.
Also making a visit to the city’s former home of justice are Oisin Leech from Irish Americana band the Lost Brothers and Belfast’s underground synth club night Leatherette.
Over the course of August, the Quay Street building will be home to a range of music, comedy and poetry events as well as book clubs and wine tasting, in addition to a season of Colin Bateman movies and a special celebration of Bangor’s infamous 1980s nightspot, the Matinee Club.
Free events across the summer will see the popular Picnic In The Park return on Sundays across July and August, with Ward Park’s bandstand hosting acts as varied as Belfast soul band the Gold Tips, Bangor punks Wasted Talent and bluegrass outfit the Broken String Band.
And vintage festival Seaside Revival brings a touch of retro style to Bangor seafront on the last Saturday in June.
Open House director Kieron Gilmore revealed that the festival team are still nailing down the last few acts for this year’s line-up, but said he’s eager to get going on the biggest festival since 2019.
“Covid changed the trajectory of the August festival, but we’ve enjoyed a really great couple of years in the Walled Garden,” he said.
“And now we can celebrate the success of the Court House, and integrate it into the festival too – something we spent years dreaming about and planning.
“The venue has already proven to be enormously popular with the people of Bangor, and we’re hoping that others from further afield will visit and enjoy the building during August.”
Mayor Jennifer Gilmour welcomed the festival, now returning for its 11th year in the seaside city.
She said: “The packed programme of live events sounds exciting and I am really looking forward to this year’s Open House Festival.
“Combined with Picnic In The Park and the Seaside Revival, as well as a series of events held in our beautiful Walled Garden and in Bangor’s historic and award-winning Court House venue, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
“This will attract an influx of visitors to our borough, helping to boost our local economy, and I wish all those participating a very successful festival.”
