Not content with organising events in Galway and Cork as well as Dublin this year we've recruited hundreds of candidates to take part in Our Thursdays, an exciting showcase for up and coming bands to have the opportunity to join the likes of Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini and José González on the bill as part of this year's Arthur's Day celebrations. From Donegal to Dingle, this September 23rd, the whole of Ireland will come together in yet another remarkable celebration, all built around great bands playing in great pubs.

Our Thursdays - Local Showcases - Your Vote Decides!

Every Thursday from July 15th through to August 12th, special showcases were held in pubs across the Island of Ireland. We were looking for the best of Ireland’s emerging talent to be added to the Arthur's Day line up to perform in these pubs on September 23rd.

For the first 3 Thursdays, 2 bands were selected to play in each pub. They performed in front of an audience of their peers and the pub's patrons. These spectators were given the chance to vote on who made it through to the pub showcases, where one band was selected and will perform in that pub on Arthur's Day!

Our Thursdays - Regional Showcases

Once we found our bands from the pub showcases, our panel of judges had the unenviable job of selecting, based on talent, 24 of the best bands to perform in 4 regional showcases in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast. The 4 most promising bands have now been selected and have made it through to the concluding stage – the National showcase.

Our Thursdays - National Showcase

The national showcase will take place on September 9th in Lavery's Belfast, where these 4 bands will will get the opportunity to showcase themselves live in front of the entire judging panel and live audience.

The successful act will be announced on the night and will play as part of the Arthur's Day line up, supporting the likes of Snow Patrol in Dublin on 23rd September. An additional two bands will be selected by the judges to perform on Arthur's Day, at a studio venue in Cork or Galway.