Gigging in the Bogside

I don’t know why exactly but I always feel honoured to be invited to play a gig in the Bogside, In Derry. Its such a special place. I almost feel like I am trespassing on a community that has seen and felt a lot of hurt. Lots of joy too obviously. I feel humbled ( and proud) to be asked to play on this particular piece of turf, as I would in any such community that has had that kind of experience and sense of pronounced history. I know that I know very little about the North. And I'm keen to know more now. I was playing a festival there, in the Gasyard with Bronagh Gallagher, who surely needs no introduction. I have proudly played drums in her band for over 7 years now. She is a very successful actress and an extremely soulful singer songwriter, and a witty and passionate performer. Over talented I would say! 

She grew up in the Bogside in Derry and was a small child during the 70’s troubles in Northern Ireland and only for the first time started to talk about it to me a few months ago. It was an amazing insight, talking about everything from her father’s courage, to a moment of neighbourly compassion as a soldier lay badly injured on the road, to the knowing of the sound of different types of bullets fizzing around the street outside their house. She has emerged from this place with great determination and a huge heart, almost to show the world that she appreciates every given moment, and pours her heart into her artistic life, knowing she is blessed with the talent and time. You see strength in her and also a huge warm heartedness, with a natural inclination to include everybody into her own personal community or circle. When you meet Bronagh, there is love, humour and colour. Her songs are crafted with such incredibly strong insights into modern ‘lovefare’ and she really turns up the heat live on the stage.

Another proud day in Derry

On that day of the gig in The Gasyard in Derry last month with Bronagh Gallagher, I thought back to another gig I did in the Bogside with the band Kila. We played at the spectacular fire festival for Derry's biggest community gathering, ‘Feile 2017’ at The Gasyard Park. Ronan O Snodaigh, Kila’s singer and bodhran player, told us someone he knew from the Waterside was coming over to watch the gig. He was a Lambeg maker and bravely brought (smuggled really) a gift of a Lambeg drum for Ro across the divide and into the backstage area, and we jammed together with him there and in the soundcheck. I know for some this particular drum can represent a lot of hurt in our history ( from a Catholic perspective) but when Ro and the Lambeg player had a kind of a drum solo exchange at the actual gig, and the crowd were so receptive, it felt like music had provided us with our own opportunity to build a bridge between the communities.  It was a moment I was proud of and one of the most momentous occasions I can remember on stage in my long career. It was a small offering from those performing but I enjoyed the courage and acceptance that seemed to be present all around.