Cavan band flying high at Glastonbury

WITH U2 forced to cancel their Glastonbury performance, Cavan's Shouting at Planes will keep the Irish flag flying on the Pilton farm this June. From Knockbride and Bailieboro, the five lads officially formed in late 2009 and have enjoyed incredible success since. With high-energy and exciting performances that never fail to draw a crowd, two lead vocalists who share the mic to bellow spine-tingling lyrics and harmonies, and saxophone and trumpet as frequent accompaniments, the group promise a performance big and bold enough to resonate beyond even the highest flying of aircraft. From blues to jazz and indie to heavy rock, they described themselves as indie alternative rock, "fairly bizarre, yet quite apt". Brian (26), Kevin (27), Gareth (27), Aodhan (23) and Liam (19) will be the first ever Cavan band to take the stage at Glastonbury. They play their first homecoming gig this Saturday, June 5 at Bailie with support from Feud and Friction and the boys admit they are really excited about it. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, drummer Brian said: "If we weren't in a band we'd definitely still hang out together. We're lucky in that respect and it certainly makes practising and gigging a lot more enjoyable." Brian, Kevin and Gareth grew up together in Bailieboro, but it wasn't until Christmas 2008 that they joined Aodhan and Liam for a session. "By the time Christmas was over we were really shocked at what we'd produced and it was probably then we thought we might have something worth pursuing. "Our aim is to try and keep our music as exciting and interesting as possible. We all play two or three instruments, so we're still experimenting on what works and sounds best. We would all like to think that we're only just scrapping the surface in terms of potential and what's to come in the future," said Brian. With all five band members writing and composing, it makes for any interesting contrast between songs. Sandra Eavis, daughter of Michael Eavis who runs Glastonbury, and her partner Niall ran the Battle of the Bands competition in Shercock, which offered original bands a chance to play at Glastonbury. Over 100 bands entered from all over Ireland and 30 were short-listed to compete in the six heats run over six weeks. 'Shouting at Planes' came out on top and Brian admits that the reality of it still hasn't sunk in, but with Glastonbury getting closer and closer it's starting to become more real. "It really is a credit to Sandra and Niall what they're doing, providing such an amazing platform for original Irish bands to perform. It's tough to get gigs as an original band because most people just want to hear covers. "It's every band's dream to play at Glastonbury and to be honest it's still really hard to believe that this dream is going to become a reality for five lads from Cavan in under a month's time when we take to the Queen's Head Stage. We really are honoured to have this opportunity and we just hope we do ourselves and what we represent proud," said Brian. Many Irish bands have played on the Queen's Head Stage over the last few years and 'Shouting at Planes' are hoping it can give them a shot at fame like it did for Irish band 'Fighting Like Apes'. "Hopefully it'll be a stepping stone for us, but we're not going to get too carried away either, everything is happening so fast for us at the moment it's impossible to picture or predict where we will go with it, if we're invited back to play next year it'll be job-done as far as we're concerned. "If music is something that you're really passionate about then go for it. If you are determined enough to succeed and are prepared to put in a bit of hard work it'll definitely pay off," said Brian. The band have a busy summer ahead of them with plans to hit the recording studio, shoot a music video and release their first single nationwide all under way. Shouting at Planes will join the likes of Christy Moore, Imelda May, Two Door Cinema Club, Brian Kennedy and Fionn Regan to represent Ireland at the festival's 40th anniversary from Wednesday, June 23 to Sunday, June 27. • See myspace.com/shoutingatplanes