Trucker Diablo and Gerard i2 to play Tennent’s Vital

LOCAL rising stars Trucker Diablo and Gerard i2 will join some of the biggest stars in the world at Tennent’s Vital this August.

Moira based rockers Trucker Diablo will play the festival on Day 1 alongside Foo Fighters, The Black Keys and The Minutes on August 21.

Strabane Hip Hop star Gerard I2 will have the incredible opportunity to perform on the same stage as The Stone Roses, Florence and The Machine and Rodrigo Y Gabriela on August 22.

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Tennent’s UnTapped is a major initiative from Tennent’s Lager that unearths and supports the best up and coming music talent based in Northern Ireland and give bands the unique opportunity to perform on the main stage at Tennent’s Vital.

In its inaugural year, 250 artists submitted their tracks for consideration to the Tennent’s UnTapped website.

A prestigious panel of music industry judges then chose sixteen acts to perform in front of audiences at a series of live showcases in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry in May.

After much deliberation, the judges have now decided that Trucker Diablo and Gerard i2 are the two acts that will open Tennent’s Vital in August.

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Aisling Duffy, Marketing Manager for Tennent’s Lager NI, said: “The standard this year has been outstanding and really reflects what’s going on in Northern Ireland’s grassroots music scene. Tennent’s are proud to be supporting these new artists by giving them this unique platform and the chance to share a bill with some of the world’s best bands. We’re sure that Tennent’s Vital fans are going to be incredibly impressed by both Trucker Diablo and Gerard i2.”

One of the judges for Tennent’s UnTapped is Joe Dougan from The Limelight and Shine Productions. He commented: “I think all the judges have been hugely impressed by the talent unearthed through Tennent’s UnTapped - the live showcases were a fantastic advert for the vibrancy and diversity of our local music scene.

“Trucker Diablo are a thrilling live band and their sound is made for the big stage. Gerard i2 impressed everyone with the energy and originality of his performance and it’s great to see the emergence of an authentic Northern Irish hip hop star. Both acts really stood out for us and I can’t wait to see them take to the stage at Tennent’s Vital.”

Trucker Diablo formed in early 2008 and soon built up momentum through the local support of fans and strong word of mouth across the internet. Their self-released debut album “The Devil Rhythm”, features a guest appearance from fellow Northern Irish rocker and Thin Lizzy frontman, Ricky Warwick. The band has also won praise from Joe Elliot (Def Leppard) and Cormac Neeson (The Answer).

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Gerard i2 is a talented hip hop MC and lyrist from Strabane. He’s already won much acclaim for his blunt, honest and thoughtful lyrics on the album ‘What I Like and Love’ and he’s picked up support from both Radio Ulster’s Across the Line and BBC Radio 1 Introducing.

Tickets for both days of Tennent’s Vital 2012 are on now on sale from www.ticketmaster.ie