Tune In! Atlantic Sessions Brings the Beat to Portrush & Portstewart

The sound of music will be heard across Portstewart and Portrush this November as Council’s award-winning music festival Atlantic Sessions returns.   

The much-loved event will take place over 4 days from Thursday 14th November to Sunday 17th November 2024, bringing a fantastic music programme of over 30 live gigs to both seaside towns. 

With something to suit all tastes, music fans can look forward to unmissable performances offering a fantastic music trail, throughout venues in both locations.

Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling who is very much looking forward to this year’s Atlantic Sessions said:

“We are delighted to welcome both locals and of course visitors to the Borough this November, to enjoy our award-winning annual music festival Atlantic Sessions.

“We are very proud of the reputation Atlantic Sessions has gained over the years and Council looks forward to this year’s event celebrating emerging talent as well as showcasing more established artists.” 

“There will be a warm welcome for all in Portrush and Portstewart as both locations host a wide array of musical entertainment combined with outstanding hospitality in these beautiful coastal locations that our Borough is renowned for.”

For 2024, Council has partnered with Mark Sheppard from Get Shep who is programming this year’s festival, bringing a wide array of established and up and coming acts over 4 days of exciting performances.

Rising stars, Dark Tropics, with their dark cinematic brand of pop-noir, are set to open the festival on Thursday 14^th November with a free headline performance at Portrush Playhouse.

Having recently supported Belle & Sebastian along with plaudits from Steve Lemacq on BBC 6 Music this is sure to be a performance you won’t want to miss.

On Friday 15^th November Atlantic Sessions will proudly introduce two of the most promising young bands in Northern Ireland, Polar Bolero & The Taylor Lally Band for a headline show at Flowerfield Arts Centre. Tickets for this can be purchased via Flowerfield’s website https://www.flowerfield.org/events/atlantic-sessions-presents-polar-bolero-taylor-lally-band

Fresh from playing this year’s Glastonbury festival, Paul Casey will make a very welcome return to Portrush with an intimate performance in Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 16th November, this is a free walk in performance - so get your seats early. 

Later that evening, Portrush Town Hall will host one of Ireland’s most acclaimed songwriters and performers, Mary Coughlan with her band, who this year celebrate a fantastic 40 years in the music business.

Atlantic Sessions will also showcase home grown artists Johnny Brady and Jordan O’Keefe who are both returning to their roots, after years of working in other areas of the music industry. Audiences will be excited to hear Johnny’s new material after previously singing both rock and Irish country, while Jordan, who first found fame 10 years ago in Britian’s Got Talent, will also showcase something new for audiences to hear.

With over 30 acts, Atlantic Sessions will showcase the talent that Northern Ireland is famous for, from established headlines acts such as The Bonnevilles joining new artists Telezura and the Zac Mac Band - this year’s festival will surely showcase the music and hospitality this island has to offer.

Sundays only ticketed performance brings something a little different, with a team of popular NI musicians forming a “superband” to create a very memorable evening, called ‘Remembering John Prine’.

Fronted by Junior Johnson and his band, we will see special guests join them to play songs from John Prine’s repertoire, they will talk about the inspiration it gave them to go on to do what they have achieved in their careers. The show will feature Junior & Band, Paddy Nash, Chris Taplin, Sean Doone and a few more faces and will be hosted by Ralph McLean from BBC Radio Ulster, another self-confessed John Prine superfan!

Audiences can also see an ‘In The Round’ with Reeva, Ferna and Jordan O’Keefe plus, heaps of free events including Ken Haddock, Tony Villers, King Ceder and many more!

Tickets are now on sale for our headline events, available at www.atlanticsessions.com you can rest assured your travel to the Causeway Coast this November will be well worth it! 

Alongside the not-to-be-missed music gigs, Visit Causeway Coast and Glens has been working closely with hospitality partners to ensure visitors can access a fantastic range of accommodation offers.

For more information, programme details and offers visit https://www.atlanticsessions.com/

Photo Credit - CCAG