Why is it that every part of the West awakens except the part around me? Burren begrudgery aside, this is rather fantastic news. The first Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts has been announced for Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th, with the admirable mission statement of providing a grown-up festival for music fans who treasure their record collections. I only have an MP3-and-free-Mixmag-cds collection, but I do treasure it, and I’m glad somebody noticed. The secured line-up so far is pretty darn pleasing, featuring the likes of Seasick Steve, Ray Davies, Duke Special, The Waterboys, Alison Moyet, The Minutes, Jerry Fish, The Riptide Movement, and Bipolar Empire. Westport town is as much part of the festivities as the guitar-slingers - no closed site this - so attendees are basically getting the chance to explore one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland alongside hearing some seriously daycent choons. And … There’s more →