Throughout the 1970s’ the band LIGHT dominated Belfast’s rock scene playing rock blues numbers across the city – and now they are set for a Black Box performance as part of the 13th Belfast City Blues Festival.
With virtuoso guitar player and local hero Jim Armstrong with singer and bassist Albert Mills, they kept the light of music alive when the Troubles were dominating the headlines.
LIGHT, with Ian Speedo Wilson taking Jim Armstrong’s place, will play the Black Box on Sunday June 26.
Festival director Seamie O’Neill said seeing LIGHT on stage will be a superb way to wrap up the packed weekend of shows.
“LIGHT really were something special and this rejuvenated line-up are going to bring back memories and create new ones,” he said.
“Expect to hear classic LIGHT tunes including Castles In The Sand, The Dancer, Harland The Wolf and many, many more as well as some of the classic blues songs that were live staples at the time.”
The festival which is celebrating its 13th year is set to take place over three days in 14 venues with 30 acts and 40 gigs. Sponsors of the festival include Guinness, Sunday World, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast 89FM, Magee Mortgage Solutions, Kolormaster, Baird Sound System Ltd, Linen Quarter BID, West Gourmet Sandwich Bar, Nutts Corner Accident Repair and The People’s Kitchen.
Ian ‘Speedo’ Wilson who has supported artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Motörhead in his career said he was looking forward to the gig: “Being asked to take Jim Armstrong’s place is a daunting task as the guy must have had 10 fingers on each hand.
“Many hours of practice had to be done in order to do this. It was a challenge that I could not resist but feared at the same time for so many obvious reasons, but ultimately is a great honour to be asked.”
The line-up for LIGHT at the Belfast City Blues Festival includes Albert Mills (bass/vocals), Brian Warnock (drums), Ian ‘Speedo’ Wilson (guitar) and Brian Glenn (keys).
Tickets for LIGHT at the Black Box on Sunday June 26 are £10 (+bf) and are available from www.blackboxbelfast.com or http://www.belfastcityblues.com
For more information and a full schedule for the Belfast City Blues Festival which runs from June 24th-26th log onto www.belfastcityblues.com or connect with the Belfast City Blues Festival official Facebook page.
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