The Manchester Irish Festival 2002

8th - 20th March 2002

Update: 12th March 2002

Sale Band win Manchester
Irish Festival Competition

Metal band 'Dr Rinse' from Sale in Manchester were crowned the cream of the crop as the winners of this years Manchester Irish Festival 'Boddingtons YGG Unsigned 2002' at the 860 capacity Palace Nightclub in Levenshulme.

Tony Hennigan the organiser of the competition said " This is the competitions seventh year and the standard in the heats and final was very high. Dr Rinse were the unanimous winners in the opinion of the panel of judges and the audience."

Runnersup were 'Rising Inertia' from Salford and 'Shallowater' from Stockport.

The international competition had attracted entries from all over the UK, Ireland and Canada with bands eager to follow in the footsteps of 'Oasis' (whose original demo tape takes pride of place in the clubs musical archives) but all the bands who won through to the final came from the North West.

The competition has over £1,500 worth of prizes sponsored by Boddingtons, Domino Pizza, Blue Room Studios, Potential House and the Levenshulme Pub company.

Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll who owns Potential House, one of the competitions sponsors said " I grew up in Levenshulme and I just want to put something back into the community. I know how hard it can be for young bands starting off and if I can offer them a little help along the way - I'm happy. My parents come from Tyrone and Offaly so I'm delighted to help sponsor the competition in this years Irish festival."