Battle of the bands for Electric Picnic places
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THREE local musicians beat off stiff competition to make it to the final of a contest that could see one of them taking to the stage at Electric Picnic – but their success depends on a public vote, the proceeds of which will go to The Jack and Jill Foundation.
Clondalkin teenager Marcus Woods, whose music spans lo-fi and experimental sounds, started producing music in late 2016 and got involved in this year’s 2fm Play the Picnic competition in order to get his music to a wider audience and to hopefully wow the crowds at this year’s Electric Picnic.
Marcus Woods from Clondalkin
Marcus, who will be starting his Leaving Certificate year in Moyle Park College this September, told The Echo: “To win the competition would be absolutely incredible, it’s already a massive confidence boost to be in the top 30 finalists, to know that RTE see something in me within hundreds of entries.
“To have the opportunity to actually perform at the festival would be an incredible experience, and I owe it to anybody who has supported my music – if I end up securing the spot then I definitely have something special up my sleeve for my set, but we’ll have to wait and see!”
Drimnagh rapper Fynch has also made it to the final, where the 22-year-old’s lo-fi hip-hop sound impressed the judges, but now he’s relying on a public vote to see if he can be crowned the winner.
The past pupil of Templeogue College told The Echo: “It’d be unbelievable [if I won], playing the biggest festival in the country is such a huge opportunity to further my career.
“Plus, it’s not even solely to do with playing Electric Picnic, but winning would mean national recognition of my art and what I’m trying to achieve. Even being nominated was mad!”
Fynch from Drimnagh
Fozsa
Terenure musician Luke O’Brien, whose stage name is Fozsa, has also secured a place in the final where he’s up against 29 other acts.
The winner will be decided by a public text vote, costing €2, and proceeds from the votes will go to The Jack and Jill Foundation.
Marcus said: “I’m extremely happy to see the money being donated to The Jack and Jill Foundation, not just from people who vote for myself, but for everybody who has taken the time to vote for anybody.
“It’s for a great cause and I’m happy that myself and people who have voted for me have contributed.”
Fynch added: “[Raising money for charity is] far more important than playing at a festival, so it’s brilliant that we’re able to fundraise through this.”
The text to vote competition is open until Friday, July 27, and each text costs €2, with a minimum of €1.80 per text going to The Jack and Jill Foundation.
To vote for Marcus Woods text PICNIC26 to 50300; for Fynch text PICNIC8 to 50300; and for Fozsa – Luke O’Brien – text PICNIC7 to 50300.
