MORE THAN 30,000 people are expected to attend the fifth Sligo Live festival, which kicks off today.
Among those featuring at the event are Martha Wainwright, Imelda May, Josh Ritter, The Saw Doctors, Frankie Gavin and PJ Gallagher.
Billed as a “No Wellingtons Required Festival”, the five-day programme includes more than 80 events in hotels, theatres, pubs and cafes in Sligo, as well as street entertainment, a riverside open-air market and the World Air Fiddle Championships.
Ticket sales have been brisk, with many of the headline acts sold out , according to festival producer Rory O’Connor, who pointed out that 80 per cent of the programme is free.
The organisers say the mix of international and local artists has proved a success with music lovers, and traditional music is regarded as an integral part of the Sligo Live formula. As well as the annual Fiddler of Dooney competition, almost 20 trad sessions will be held in pubs around Sligo.
Artists including the Cosmic Banditos, Oddsocks Revival and Lisa Hake will feature on the cafe culture programme. Sligo Live continues until October 26th.
Information available from www.sligolive.ie
