A DONEGAL band is at the helm of a new gig experience bringing live music into people’s homes.
Aaron Coleman, Matthew Melia and Ciaran McBrearty of Letterkenny-based band Bootleg have launched a new initiative called Gig in a Gaff.
The clue is in the name: the idea is to fill sitting rooms and kitchens up and down the country with live performances by homegrown talent.
Bootleg’s lead singer Aaron was inspired by his college experience of going to after parties in other people’s houses after nights out, where he would often find a DJ set up.
However, he had never seen a band perform under a home roof, so he struck up a plan with Ciaran and Matthew to help both artists and audiences enjoy a live music experience without the cost of a typical gig.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Aaron shared that the idea has taken off beyond any of the band member’s expectations.
“We were just in the pub one night and we were discussing how we thought it would be a cool idea and we already had the equipment to make it possible,” he said.
“So I just put a post up on our Instagram page and it blew up. Within 24 hours, it had over 100 shares. It’s all snowballed from there.”
Bootleg had their first Gig in a Gaff in Kilmacrennan in April and have organised one a month since in counties Louth and Dublin.
Aaron handles the administration and social media while Ciaran and Matthew take care of the technical aspects such as lighting and sound.
Once they receive a message from someone who’s willing to host a Gig in a Gaff, the Bootleg members get to work to make it happen.
“We try and organise a date and then from there the bands sign up,” explained Aaron.
“We have a link in our Instagram bio for a sign-up form if you want to play at a Gig in a Gaff. Then we just go through the bands and we pick who we like.
“On the day, we land down, set up all the equipment, soundcheck the bands and we just have a good time really. We do the same thing as well with photographers and videographers. If you want to shoot at the gig, we’ll pick you for it and we do this all for free.”
Attendance numbers are capped so that the chosen location can safely accommodate gig-goers. The band has a sign-up form for those interested in going to a gig near them.
A random selection process is used to select attendees, who are then added to a WhatsApp group to receive details of the event.
Home organisers are welcome to bring their family and friends, and Aaron has seen a sense of togetherness grow from the gigs.
“Everybody is just so friendly to each other,” he said. “They’re all there just to see live music rather than to see a specific band. They’re just there for the love of it, which is just really nice to see
“It would be great if there’s people that are now friends with others from the Gig in a Gaff events. It’s really nice to see a big group of random people that don’t know each other, just all hanging out and having fun.”
Aaron’s number one goal is to bring Gig in a Gaff to every county in Ireland.
“That includes Cavan, Leitrim, all the small counties, I think it’s only fair,” he said.
“You could exclusively run this thing in Dublin because there’s so many people there but that’s not fair on everybody. I would love for this to be at a festival.
“We’re planning on doing another one in Donegal because there’s so many beautiful places and unique spots in Donegal. I’d love to do one in a barn for the craic, that would be funny. A massive goal I think would be very cool is to do one in a lighthouse. I just want to keep this going and let people see how good all these bands throughout this whole island are.”
Anyone interested in getting involved with Gig in a Gaff can get in touch with Bootleg’s official Instagram page, @bootleg_band_ie.
The Gig in a Gaff YouTube page also shows highlights from recent events.