The legendary G Sessions are returning to Draperstown after a three-year hiatus - this time in its own venue - with a fitting headliner featuring a protégé of Glasgowbury's own making in indie-folk four-piece Orchid Collective.
Inspired by the festival, the G Sessions were monthly music showcases that ran from 2004 until 2013 at the former Cellar Bar in the Co Derry town.
It will be like coming home for Shea Tohill, from Magherafelt, for whom Glasgowbury provided the catalyst to turn his passion for music into a career.
Not only was he coached as a teenager by the Rural Key Sessions, he has always found encouragement from Glasgowbury founders Paddy and Stella, and when he is at home he helps teach other youngsters how to play guitar at the cornstore.
It seems fitting then that he would return to play the venue as the iconic music showcase returns to his home place and just as his new band is picking up the pace with touring and recording.
Orchid Collective are lead vocalist and guitarist David O'Shea from Co Meath, Tohill from Magherafelt on lead guitar, bassist Hugh O'Neill from Co Sligo, and Dubliner Brian Roony on drums.
Commenting on G Sessions, Tohill said: "I played a few G Sessions with the Wood Burning Savages and I used to go to them all the time, I saw And So I Watch You From Afar and Cashier No 9 back in the day when I was 17/18. It's great that they're back.
"It needs it, whenever I was in school you used to go and see bands that were touring England and they were coming and playing a bar in Draperstown, it's really encouraging whenever you're a teenager and that's been kind of missing for the last three years so I think it's great that Paddy and Stella are running it again.
"There needs to be something between Belfast and Derry, if you're touring as a band it's great, you can do Thursday night in Belfast, Friday night in Draperstown and Saturday night in Derry. It's cool you can do this wee spot in the middle of the Glenshane."
Also commenting on the G Session new venue, he added: "The Cornstore is really cool, it has a really good PA, good sound and good people, good room –it's great I look forward to playing there."
Also playing at the first G Sessions in the Cornstore Loft is Michael Mormecha of Mojo Fury. He will be bringing his alt-pop sounds from his debut album ‘LOFi LiFE', which was released in May.
The gig is bring your own booze, strictly no glass. Tickets are £7 and available now online or from the Cornstore.
glasgowbury.com
Cornstore G Sessions: Orchid Collective and Michael Mormecha (Mojo Fury)
Saturday 24 September
£7 Tickets Available Now
Doors 9pm Byob No Glass
G Sessions Returns After Three-Year Hiatus
Date: 14/09/2016
