SLANE SPECIAL: Otherkin frontman and local lad Luke Reilly can't wait to kickstart Slane!

Beauparc native and Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly is savouring every moment of what will be the biggest day in his and his rock band's career when they take to the stage and kickstart Slane 2017 this Saturday.
The former St Oliver's, Drogheda pupil is at the media briefing, sitting with the journalists watching on as the event team sets out the agenda for the sold-out show and says a sheepish 'Hello' when Henry Mountcharles spots and welcomes him.

The 25-year-old from Hayestown even brought his parents Frank and Marie with him and having helped the Mountcharles' launch the new Slane Whiskey brand in Dublin earlier in the week, you feel, he just can't soak up enough of the building atmosphere in the run up to the weekend.
'Getting very close now, I can't wait, it's an incredible opportunity for us as a band, he says, looking out from the steps of the famous castle at the giant seating galleries and stage take shape.
'I've been to countless Slane concerts over the years and to finally play it is surreal.'
Since the line-up announcement the band have been in a whirlwind of activity and attention. Otherkin is made up of Luke on vocals and guitar, Conor Wynne, lead guitar, David Anthony, bass guitar, and Rob Summons on drums. Otherkin are just putting the finishing touches to their debut album, which will be released by Rubyworks later in 2017.
'Everybody in the country knows about Slane concerts, so since the announcement was made it's gone pretty wild for us with people becoming aware of who the band are. We're definitely taking advantage of it for sure. We're keen to build on the impact its having. We've new music out this week - a new song called 'Enabler' and yes, we really want people to get down to the show early and check us out.

 

Having had only to take a short walk to enjoy previous years' events, this time he knows playing in front of friends and family rather than be in the audience with them will be extra special. 'I'll have my family there and pretty much all the people in Slane tend to come down so it'll be a real special day to have my friends there rocking out and playing for them. I'm going to be hanging round backstage for most of the day so if I see Axl or Slash I'll certainly be saying hello and sure, if they want a picture, I'll give them one,' he says with a laugh.
So what can the early arrivals expect? 'A loud, fast, energetic show. We pride ourselves on our live show and the energy we give off. We make sure that we connect with who is watching us so we're looking forward to translating that to 10,000/20,000 people or how many people that happens to be, so get there early.”