Tourism Ireland’s Green Button Festival, the first music billboard festival taking place across four different cities and time zones controlled by individuals’ mobile phones, is now LIVE!

Sydney-siders are all invited to head down to the Overseas Passenger Terminal today between 11am and 7pm to experience this special festival activation, where they will be treated to an array of Irish and Northern Irish musicians playing to people around the world.

Those who are not able to be there in person including residents in other parts of Australia, can also access the festival via the QR Code on Ireland.com to trigger sound and vision recordings of some of Ireland’s top talent performing at various locations around the island.

Acts include Hothouse Flowers performing at Temple Bar in Dublin, Clannad and Denise Chaila in County Donegal, Ailbhe Reddy at Dublin Castle and The Pale playing on top of the Tower Museum in Derry~Londonderry.

Ryan McMullan will be among several acts appearing from the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast, which was named a UNESCO City of Music late last year. And also available on screen will be acts such as contemporary folk band Kila, DJ and vocalist Gemma Bradley, and Riverdance, performing at the Giant’s Causeway and Cliffs of Moher.

The Green Button Festival in Sydney will run on 17 March at the Overseas Passenger Terminal from 11:00hrs – 19:00hrs AEST. All performances are pre-recorded at various spots around the island of Ireland.

Martin Harte, Director of TradFest Temple Bar, who produced many of the recordings being shown during the Green Button Festival, said: “This outstanding music festival will connect passers-by in major cities with some of Ireland’s best-loved musicians. By scanning a QR code on their smartphone, they will activate a festival stage that will sound out toe-tapping Irish sounds set to giant, full motion images.

“As Ireland is celebrating its St Patrick’s Day festivities live after a two-year hiatus we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to bring a glimpse of our amazing music and performance culture to those who can’t be with us in person, via the Green Button Festival.”

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of the Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast, which also contributed to the festival recordings, said: “As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast is very proud of its rich musical culture and creativity. We have so many incredible bands and artists, and so we are delighted to be able to bring some of them to the Green Button Festival stage. I can think of no better time than St Patrick’s Day to welcome back live music that can be shared in such a unique way with people around the world.”

The Green Button Festival will shine a light on the Irish music scene’s established names and rising stars, revealing a whole new side to Ireland on St Patrick’s Day via a whole new digital experience.

The event will also be a celebration of Irish artists emerging from lockdown and making a welcome return to performing and gigging.

www.ireland.com