Music Ireland '07 gets off to a flying start

Run as a special schools day, there have been three thousand visitors to the event to date, and Friday has already seen some spectacular live performances from Sons of Jacobian, Leanne Harte and The Kinetiks.

"The place was absolutely rammed for The Kinetiks and they did a great set," Duan Stokes of Hot Press enthused. "But the whole show was really busy from nine o'clock onwards. The atmosphere was electric."

Among those spotted at the RDS – and occasionally mobbed – was John Blackwell, the drummer with Prince and Justin Timberlake, who visited the exhibition, in advance of his hugely anticipated live appearance at 3.30 on Saturday. Blackwell is widely regarded among the finest drummers in the world.

Among the other highlights of a packed programme tomorrow are live performances on the Sennheiser Live Stage by Dirty Epics (2.30pm), Laura Izibor (5pm) and Paddy Casey (5,30pm).

Meanwhile, among those talking at the numerous panels and seminars are producer Stephen Street, Brian Masterson (on Are Producers The Real Superstars?), songwriter Nick Kelly and film director Shimmy Marcus and U2's designer Steve Averill – who is curator of Stealing Hearts At A Travelling
Show, the exhibition of U2 artwork that is featured Music Ireland.

Tickets are available at the door.