Irish musician-of-the-moment James Vincent McMorrow, pictured with Stephen O'Kelly, marketing director, Guinness, announcing the social media push for Arthur's Day 2013, which will take place on Thursday, 26 September. Image credit: Andres Poveda
Today, Diageo, owner of the Guinness brand, has revealed some of the main acts who will be performing at some 500 free music events in pubs and venues across the island of Ireland on 26 September to celebrate this year’s Arthur’s Day. Diageo has kicked off a digital marketing campaign on the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Drinkaware.ie and the Guinness website to get people thinking about having a sup of the black stuff while enjoying a band, some art, or Irish creativity.
Since Diageo held the first-ever Arthur’s Day event back in September 2009 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the brewery started by Irishman Arthur Guinness, the day has become an annual fixture all over the world for Irish people and lovers of the Gaelic isle to celebrate the best in Irish creativity, music and art, while also having a glass or pint of Guinness.
Well, this year, Arthur’s Day is expected to attract some 500-plus free music events, 1,000-plus music acts and creative showcase events in some 32 counties on the island of Ireland.
Sing us a song
So who can people expect to enchant them with their musical melodies?
Well there will be Irish groups and musicians ranging from The Script, music man James Vincent McMorrow, The Original Rudeboys, Girl Band and Bouts to reel people into the pubs, as well as internationally acclaimed artists such as Manic Street Preachers, Emeli Sandé, Janelle Monae and Bobby Womack.
Guinness has just given the public a taster today, though. The Diageo-owned brand will be announcing more artists later this month via social-networking platform Facebook and micro-blogging site Twitter.
It expects Arthur’s Day to be a usual surprise fest, with acts anticipated tp turning up unannounced to perform in pubs.
Additionally, some acts will also perform at one of five ticketed music events, taking place in pubs across Belfast, Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
Tickets for this multi-location gig fest will cost €10. They will go on sale via Ticketmaster.ie on 4 September. Apparently, proceeds from the sale of these tickets will be pumped into the creative and cultural initiative, Arthur Guinness Projects.
‘We don’t eat’ – Irish musician James Vincent McMorrow
Irish musician of the moment James Vincent McMorrow, most famous for his debut album Early in the Morning, released in 2010, said today that since he has traversed the globe to play he has been struck by how people would immediately be intrigued by the heritage and lineage that comes with being an Irish artist.
“It’s an incredible thing, our history of creating. it has an impact on people. I know it has an impact on me, and it’s really exciting to see Guinness becoming so involved in adding to that heritage,” he said. “They’re gonna be supporting people from Ireland creating new art and new ventures, I’m glad to be part of it this year.”
Innovation 2.0 – Ireland and creativity
This year, the main theme of Arthur’s Day will be to showcase the next generation of Ireland’s musical talent, artists, poets, writers and culinary experts
The drinks brand Guinness will be teaming up with publicans and Arthur Guinness Project applicants to transform some local pubs into creative hubs.
And, turning to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Diageo will be aiming to transform the St James’s Gate Brewery into an innovation showcase on Arthur’s Day. The goal will be to shine a light on Ireland’s talent and creativity across the four areas of music, arts, food and sport.
At the Storehouse there will be musical performances, the usual interactive Guinness cultural timeline across multiple floors and a bespoke culinary feast, it seems
Sláinte – Salut – Salute – A Votre Sante – Proost – Cheers – Viva – Joy – Cin Cin
But it’s not just Ireland where the celebrations will be taking place at 6pm locally on 26 September. It seems that Guinness is hoping for millions of people to take part in the Arthur’s Day 2013 celebrations across Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Caribbean and Australia.
