Cross Cultural Music, Song & Dance on the banks of the Bann.

About The Gig

In the heart of Co. Antrim nestled between the major towns of Ballymena and Magherafelt lies the village of Portglenone. The village rests along the banks of the River Bann, which has been immortalised by countless artists and writers down through the years.

It is here in this idyllic setting that the 21st 'Gig’n the Bann' Cross Community Music and Dance Festival will take place from the 7th – 9th October 2022. This festival has become one of the major events on the Summer Festival Calendar having built a reputation for offering a most impressive line-up of top performers spanning Traditional, Scottish and Folk Music circles.
 
Gig 'n the Bann Logo

 

The ethos of the festival is to bring together musical traditions across all cultural divides and the direction pursued in recent years has been to incorporate the Ulster Scots tradition alongside Traditional Irish music. This has greatly enhanced audience participation in a diverse range of events. It has also meant that people from different sides of the community have become exposed to music, song and dance that they may not have been familiar with before.

The Festival programme for 2022 will again include the usual mix of Concerts, Traditional Music Sessions, Music & Singing Workshops and Praise Service.

The main festival concerts are held in "The Old Shirt Factory” a really unique venue. As the title suggests this is a disused shirt factory, which is now a listed, building due to its historical importance in the village. The factory is converted into a 500 seat capacity concert hall with a first class light and sound system. The venue has been described by Sharon Shannon a previous performer at the festival as a "Mini Point Theatre”. Indeed this stage has been graced by may fine performers from both the worlds of traditional Irish and Ulster Scots music; Altan, Danu, Kieran Goss, Cara Dillon, Flook, Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band, St Laurence O Toole Pipe Band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Bill Black Ceilidh Band to name just a few.

Ann O'Brien

 
Each year the festival continues to grow and the organising committee strive to bring the top performers to an audience that rarely would have an opportunity to see these artists perform live. 

I’m sure you will agree there is something for everyone! Mark the 7th – 9th October in your diaries and you will be assured a warm welcome aand a weekend of top class entertainment on the banks of the Bann!




 
 

Main Sponsors
  • Oranmore Guesthouse and Tea Rooms
  • Bannvale Credit Union
  • Bannside Pharmacy
  • Community Relations Council
  • Enkalon Foundation
  • Favour Pet Foods
  • The Honourable The Irish Society

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