Now in its twelfth year the Open House Festival hosts some fabulous gigs in the centre of Belfast's arts quarter. The festival was the first of its kind when it first launched and has grown into an internationally acclaimed gold-mine of real talent each year. With previous performances from Mumford and Sons, Foy Vance, Steve Earle, Beth Orton and Liam O'Maolai this years line up already includes Seasick Steve and Wilco with more to be announced.

 

After winning the televised Orange Unsigned Act contest, Tommy Reilly has been catapulted into the Music Industry. Beating 50 other acts single-handedly, Tommy captured the attention of the judging panel and the public through his ability to deliver a song whole heartedly but at the same time effortlessly. He spent the next six months shuttling up and down to London eventually winning the competition and days later he was recording Gimme A Call, a song written in a flash after a romantically disastrous night out in Glasgow. Days after that, he was in the charts. Winning the competition granted him a Record Deal with A&M (home of Duffy, Courteeners and Dan Black). Also impressed by him, was Duffy's producer Bernard Butler, who worked on Tommy's album with him. Bernard was taken aback by Tommy's versatility and raw talent. You won't find many he-shoots-he-scores songs on the debut album by Tommy Reilly. Rejection by girls, he happily admits, is a greater inspiration than striking lucky. Recently working on his second album, Tommy Reilly has been to the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas and Rockwood Music Hall in New York. His second album is due for release early June.

 

American blues man Seasick Steve performs at the Open House Festival Marquee in Custom House Square.