City Hall Backdrop For New Year Celebrations

Belfast City Hall's pigeons will be in good company on December 31st when the band, the Pigeon Detectives (pictured) take to the stage for a concert to ring in the first hours of 2009.

Along with fellow headliners Supergrass, they are being supported by three of Northern Ireland's hottest young bands, General Fiasco, Fighting With Wire and Universal Remedy to complete the line-up for the December 31 'Rock the Hall' concert.

Gaz Coombes, Mick Quinn, Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes - collectively known as Supergrass - are the band behind hits such as 'Alright', 'Going Out' and 'Pumping on your Stereo'.

The Pigeon Detectives have been making waves in the music scene, building up a steady fan base thanks to appearances on the festival circuit and being championed by the likes of DJs Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley.

No stranger to winning over music fans are homegrown talents General Fiasco and Fighting With Wire. Both bands were part of this year's Belsonic line-up and are being tipped as the next 'big things'.

General Fiasco are brothers Owen and Enda Strathearn and Stephen Leacock who met at school in Magherafelt. They formed a band in 2007 and got their first gig at 'Glasgowbury'.

Fighting With Wire is the brainchild of guitarist Cahir O'Doherty and drummer Craig McKean. They have played shows with the likes of Biffy Clyro and Million Dead.

Also supporting the big event is Universal Remedy, a four piece 'power pop meets rock' act from Lisburn.

The event will be compered by local TV and radio presenter Ralph McLean.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tom Hartley said: "I'm sure everyone will agree that this is a really exciting line-up, with homegrown talent well represented.

"I think this will be a fantastic event for Belfast and what better place to ring in the new year than in the heart of the city, in the grounds of the magnificent City Hall."

Gates will open at 7pm with Cool FM's Olga getting everyone in the party mood. The concert will finish at 12.20am.

A special free Metro service will be in operation to take concert-goers home for everyone presenting a concert ticket.

Tickets, priced £5, go on sale this Thursday (December 11) from the Belfast Welcome Centre (028 9024 6609). They will be limited to 10 tickets per booking.

Further information on times and routes is available from: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

(BMcC)