YFRIDAY comes to MAD 2010 on the back of no less than six successful albums – including probably their best known track ‘Everlasting God’.
The song, co-written by YFRIDAY’s Ken Riley won an ASCAP Award in the US in 2008 and was also nominated for a US DOVE Award.
Ken Riley (lead singer/guitar) fronts a tight four-man outfit with Dez Minto (drums), Danny Smith (bass guitar) and Gav Richards (keyboards). YFRIDAY is a band that communicates joy and conviction in equal measure.
“Ireland’s foremost gospel musicians” (Metro)
“An annual must-see of Electric Picnic – who’d have thought gospel would be this cool?” (Irish Times)
“Gladdens the heart and brings a smile to the face……Uplifting stuff” (Hot Press)
The hand clapping, foot stomping Dublin Gospel Choir started 2010 with a real sense of purpose after the very successful release of their brand new album ‘DOING THEIR THING’ in November 2009. Packed full of true gospel classics and surprising future favourites, The Dublin Gospel Choir bring the album on tour all over Ireland, and further afield, in 2010.
Not too many Irish acts, let alone international ones, can boast of sharing the stage with music industry heavyweights such as Rod Stewart, John Legend, Damien Rice, and The Chieftains. But that is exactly what the Dublin Gospel Choir has achieved over the last few years.
From their modest beginnings as a local school choir in Dublin’s inner city 13 years ago, they have become a household name in Ireland, playing a host of concerts each year, plus a large number of corporate and charity events. Add to that their annual slot at Ireland’s internationally-acclaimed boutique festival Electric Picnic (at which they play the Main Stage again in 2010) and a performance to a sell-out 82,000 crowd ahead of a football game at Croke Park in 2008, and you have a group of people who are really going places.
The choir also featured along with Chris de Burgh on a special New Year’s Day BBC Songs of Praise programme which was broadcast to over 35million viewers worldwide. Whereas the religious audience is one target market for them, the Dublin Gospel Choir seems to have broad appeal. Collaborations with people like Damien Rice and Paddy Casey have also won them a much younger audience and one that remains a large part of their audience at shows right across Ireland. They were also invited by Rod Stewart to join him for two great nights at the RDS.
2010 has already seen the choir playing The Meteor Ireland Music Awards in February and following some further Irish tour dates in March / April (and a trip to a festival in Tenerife), the choir are currently planning to undertake their first set of UK and European dates later in the year.
LZ7: Lindz West an ex-member of the hugely successful band The Tribe and TheWordWideMessageTribe (WWMT) fronts LZ7. His passion is to see a real change in young people's lives through their music, live shows, album and schools' work.
LZ7 is a rare treat with a high-octane live show; a brand new single ready to launch into the UK mainstream charts this September which is set to push new limits and a clear, credible, full-on presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LZ7 is an unforgettable experience - whatever the context.
With Lindz are Jabzz, a fro-combed wingman; Ryan, world champion free-runner: Briony, dancer/vocalist (performed with Kanye West and Take That); the slickest DJ/turntablist, Louis, AKA 'Face' and Rob, a bangin' live drummer. Together they form LZ7 an act to look out for and a must-see live!
Started in 2004 as a group of confused 20 somethings started trying to figure out life, God and community. Then in 2007 it grew into a collective of musicians and artists trying to share with the world what they were learning. All our music is grown out of an organic environment and we hope you can appreciate our bond through our music.
We try to make journey music that talks from the heart and tries to follow God's heartyet its music for all not just the religious! A huge part of our ethos is about generating money that can help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Not making them charity cases but standing with the poor and oppressed in solidarity as one family.
Worship Central is a school of worship from Alpha International, led by Tim Hughes & Al Gordon. Their vision is to encounter God, equip the worshipper and empower the local church.
Since launching in 2006, tens of thousands of people have attended training events on three continents.
Tim Hughes says "Our passion is to see the worship life of the local church around the world explode."
"Worship Central is an important training ground for today's leaders. When it comes to leading the church, we need each other, and Worship Central is a wonderful place to connect." CHRIS TOMLIN, Worship Leader & Songwriter 'How Great Is Our God'
"Worship Central is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to develop the worship life of their local church." NICKY GUMBEL, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton and pioneer of 'The Alpha Course'
"I sense the Lord wants to use Worship Central to bring about change in worshippers, worship leaders and the church" MIKE PILAVACHI, Founder, Soul Survivor
"Worship Central is a fantastic resource designed to uplift and inform worship teams everywhere." MATT REDMAN, Worship Leader & Songwriter 'Blessed Be Your Name'
"God can anoint us but only we can do the hard graft of learning and growing. Worship Central is the place to be if you want to learn more about the craft of songwriting and worship leading." MARTIN SMITH, Lead singer 'Delirious?'
"Worship Central is a fantastic balance of teaching, training and challenging" STUART TOWNSEND, Worship Leader & Songwriter 'In Christ Alone'
"Worship Central continues to equip us with life lessons to strengthen our hearts, and practical tools of the craft which I personally trust to continue to inspire truthful worship and authentic worshippers as we bring the finest we can bring." DARLENE ZSCHECH, Worship Leader & Songwriter 'My Jesus My Saviour'
After almost a decade out of the studio, Emmaus, Ireland's foremost Gospel act of the 1980's and 1990's is back with a new album, "Mountaintop". This is their ninth release in a career that has spanned two decades. Emmaus' worship material has been played and sung worldwide, translated into many different languages, and used across many of the Christian denominations. "Mountaintop" begins with a heart's cry "Breathe on these dry bones, Lord" and then heads almost immediately into that great statement of reassurance from Isaiah "Do not be afraid, I am with you". The words of the apostle to our island are echoed in Partick's shield "be beside me, Lord, be with me Lord, be in me Lord, be around me, Lord". If ever an album was written and recorded in response to the global downturn, this is it, and Emmaus hope it brings the heart of God to a troubled world.
Rónán Johnston has been leading Emmaus since its inception and has also worked producing and writing material for other artists, and for TV, Film and Theatre. Twice nominated for IFTA's (the Irish Oscars) for his soundtrack writing, Rónán has recorded and gigged, touring with and supporting many artists like The Black Velvet Band, Ten Thousand Maniacs, the Bo-Deans, Maria McKee and The Neville Brothers. He has written or produced more than 33 platinum albums and singles, and has been responsible for more than 15 number 1's in the Irish Territory. He has also recorded Bob Geldof, Ronan Keating and others. He was Musical Director on You're a Star, voice coach on Popstars, Music producer on ITV's Rock Rivals. He is a regular contributor on radio as a music pundit and was a regular team captain on The Lyrics Board. Two years ago, he released his first solo album, "Songs of Consolation".
Shell Perris is a singer/songwriter, author and speaker who will do [almost!] anything to tell young people about God.
She became a Christian at the age of 15 whilst suffering with an eating disorder and after being told that she had only 8 weeks left to live. God miraculously healed her and transformed her life. In 2002 at the age of 17, she began working in the schools of Liverpool, UK. She was part of an exciting schools band called ‘Collective’ that visited young people in secondary schools and told them about Jesus.
2 years later she became a member of an all-girl pop band. During her time in the band she saw over 3000 people come to know Jesus and released an album and dvd. She had her first book, ‘In These Shoes?!’ published in April 2004 and her second book, ‘Something to Shout About’ published in June 2006. A further book, ‘The Something to Shout About Journal’ was released at the end of 2007 and her new autobiography, “Made to be Me” was published mid 2009.
In July 2007, Shell released her debut solo EP, and her debut album, “Have You Heard?” came out in April 2008. She currently spends most of her time song-writing, speaking and performing all over the UK. She also presents her own radio show every Tuesday at 9pm called “Girl’s Night In” on Cross Rhythms Radio.
Shell’s passion is to get young people excited about God and to let the world know that He is head-over-heels in love with every single one of us. Her bubbly personality and powerful life-story challenge and inspire the hearts of many. She is married to Tim and lives in the UK.
Tom Logan and Olly Purchase front this tight four-man band with a catchy repertoire of songs that you will find hard to forget! The guys are all about the fun in music, always trying to add some extra excitement to their shows, getting the crowd involved and creating more of a party atmosphere.
As well as playing various gigs on the scene, the band had a landmark performance playing the 2008 Ultimate Event at Alton Towers in the UK - walking on stage as pretty much 'unknowns' they amazed crowds with their freshness and originality with people leaving more than satisfied.
Their direct, fun approach will certainly get you energised – and wanting lots more.
TOM: Guitars / Vox Runs the hood side of things and commands a legion of tiny people who have parties in people's ears. He also makes mountains out of words and smashes them down with melody.
OLLY: Guitars / Vox Plays the guitar like a lovely man and is the master of sunshine and things that make you want to dance and climb trees. Everytime he plays guitar a rabbit dies because it's just so beautiful Dave: Piano / Vox / Electric The king and the legend, leads the armies of the south in triumphant journeys and sings like a beautiful bird that takes you on adventures into space
Adam: Drums / Laptop Bringer of the rains and captain of all the land and protector of sky. He makes noise that will transform the weakest of souls into dancing revelations
He started to dance at the age of 10, started to teach hip-hop at the age of 16 and when he reached 18 he became a professional dancer. He has represented Ireland with the Irish Hip-Hop team in the World Hip-Hop Championship in LA 2006 and 2007 and was part of the RTE TV show, Aisling’s Diary, as an actor/dancer.
Donking brings passion and energy to his classes. He teaches team competition routine, popping and locking/newskool hip-hop and break dancing for both beginners and advanced students in Newbridge, Dublin, Swords and Drogheda. Through teaching of hip-hop Donking connects, inspires, influences and shares Gospel by telling his testimony to the youth of this generation. His vision is to make God famous through the art of hip-hop and break dancing.
Jesus broke into Noel’s life in 1989 and things have never been the same since.
But let him tell you in his own words.
‘Around 1979 the heroin epidemic swept through our community, the inner city of Dublin, and all the young people ended up hooked on it. I had two brothers that became addicts and after seeing the devastation it brought into our home and into their lives, I made a vow that I would never be addicted to anything.
When I was 18, however, I started hanging out with a young man named Mick and we smoked some dope together. I was sort of an inward type and this gave me confidence—something I needed in my life. For the next four years it just became my everything. The things I had dreaded about my brothers’ life had come upon me. I started to dislike myself and everything I was doing.
In 1989, Mick came strolling through the flats once again. He’d been away for some time, but all of a sudden he was there with a Bible in his hand saying “Jesus Christ can change your life. We thought, “Look what drugs have done to poor Mick. Now he thinks he’s God”.
With the gang it was easy to jeer and to slag him off, but when I was on my own, I knew he had something that I needed in my life.
There was a peace in Mick’s face that I didn’t see in anyone else’s in my community. So I invited him up to my flat to smoke some dope, for old time’s sake. He came up, but instead of doing drugs, he told me about the love of God.
“If I did believe there was a God he sure wouldn’t come down to the flats and have anything to do with all of us” I said, secretly hoping that it was not true.
I kept saying to Mick, “What do I have to give him? Do I have to give God my drugs? My money?”
But Mick said, “No, he loves you just the way you are. But he also loves you enough to change you from the way you are”.
Eventually, I committed my life to Christ. I didn’t have any great revelation, but I just knew my sins were forgiven. I just knew! When I go to bed at night, I have a peace in my heart. I have peace in my mind. I can put my head down to sleep and know that I’m going to wake up in the morning with no shame, no guilt and no sin hanging over my life. This is the love, this is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I gave up drugs forever. I have since had the privilege of leading many drug addicts and other hurting people to a personal relationship with Jesus. For me this demonstrates the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to change lives’.
Since the year 2000, Noel and his wife have been involved in full-time ministry in some of Dublin’s more challenging communities.
Now pastor at Liberty Community Church in the heart of Dublin, Noel continues to expand the work of telling people of the real hope and love to be found in Jesus. Jesus is not just for drug addicts or those on the margin of Irish life but He meets the real needs and longings of every person…and He wants a personal relationship directly with every person whatever their situation.
Noel Kenny tells it like it is – no frills just facts. You won’t forget the message he brings or the fresh hope he generates when he speaks. Not simply a talented public speaker, Noel expresses a love for the gospel from personal experience and a heart for his community and country.
You can contact Noel Kenny at
Liberty Community Church
Pastor: Noel Kenny
Tel: + 353 (0) 454 6294
Email: info@libertychurch.ie
Web Address: www.libertychurch.ie
Church Address: Unit 3, Ardee Street, Dublin 8
