Home Star Runner and Coronas headline 'Welcome Back' gig

Everybody should be back to school now after the long summer break, and Funshaughlin Promotions is presenting a 'Welcome Back Night' in Dunshaughlin Community College on Saturday 19th September, headlined by The Coronas and featuring local bands Home Star Runner and Dee Tour. Home Star Runner, formed in 2004, is made up of four local lads - Sean Reid, Jason McTernan, Anthony Kelly and lead singer Stephen Arkins, in a new line-up to the original band, which started doing small gigs around Dublin and sold out Cork Opera House after winning a competition which saw them signed to the Blastbeat record label. Their first single, 'Photogenic' reached number 33 in the charts, a great achievement for a new band's debut single. Their debut full length, 'Kill The Messenger', was released late 2006 and they have since shared stages with Paramore, Elliot Minor, You Me at Six, and heroes New Found Glory, while appearing at Oxegen in July. They have played in sold out venues all over the country and in Britain, and were the main support act to American band Fall Out Boy in the RDS last October. Last month, they were part of Blinkfest in Eamon Dorans. Their material is described as "classic pop punk with Irish charm as bright as the Leprechaun's rainbow. Their sound is that of the early noughties and mirrors the pop punk melodies of yesteryear. The breaks and stops are upbeat and rough, the structures are edgy and refreshing, and whether it be the slow rhythmic downbeats or the jumping highs, this bands first album is far stronger than any debut is ever expected to be." A younger band of lads, Dee Tour, will also be performing in Dunshaughlin - Dee Tour, made up of Fionn Foley, Kevin Reynolds, Steven Crawley and David Byrne. The headline act is The Coronas, who emerged last year with their stunning debut album 'Heroes or Ghosts', which spent a staggering 26 weeks in the Irish charts, they have risen to the forefront of the Irish music scene, receiving rave reviews and have continued to expand their loyal following. Their hit singles 'Grace, Don't Wait!' and their now, anthemic 'San Diego Song' were favourites with radio stations across the nation and their newest downloadable single 'Heroes or Ghosts' is set to be no different. With a string of sold out shows all over the country and appearances on 'The Late Late Show' and 'Other Voices' this indie four-piece took the Irish music scene by storm, culminating in their nomination for a Meteor Award. They are supporting The Script in their current tour as well as playing a big Olympia gig in December. Tickets for the Dunshaughlin gig are €15 and are on sale from Dunshaughlin Community and Sports Centre; E2 Music on Kennedy Road, Navan; Easons, Ashbourne, or from (01) 802 4876. Doors open 8.30pm.