Féile Beag at 10: Melvin Brennan Reflects on a Decade of Sound
By Looking back on ten years of live music, local talent, and magical moments.
As Féile Beag marks its 10th anniversary in the heart of Thurles, it’s only fitting that we sit down with someone who’s been woven into the very fabric of its journey. Melvin Brennan, a stalwart of the local music scene and a familiar face to anyone who’s followed Féile Beag over the years, brings not just talent to the stage but a deep-rooted passion for community, creativity, and grassroots music. Whether performing, mentoring younger acts, or simply being a loyal supporter of the festival’s growth, Melvin has witnessed Féile Beag evolve from a small local gathering into a vibrant celebration of independent spirit. We caught up with him ahead of this milestone weekend to reflect on memories, music, and the magic that keeps Féile Beag going strong.
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First off Melvin happy 10th anniversary to Féile Beag! What does it mean to you to be part of such a milestone event?
Thanks, Kieran! I’m delighted to still be a part of Féile Beag after 10 years a growing. It is tinged with sadness though as my co-founder, our great friend, and Thurles legend David ‘Sully’ O’Sullivan is no longer with us to share the moment.
Can you take us back to the very first Féile Beag and how it all began?
Sully and myself came up with Féile Beag as a way to mark the 25th Anniversary of the first Féile ‘Trip to Tipp’ in Thurles 1990. We had a five-week window to organise the festival in time for the August Bank Holiday 2015. I was living between Dublin and Wexford at the time and Sully was on ground control with all the local contacts for bands and venues. We got the master, Kevin Callanan on board as sound engineer and Johnny Gleeson designed the poster. Venues were Hickey’s and Millea’s pubs, who couldn’t have done enough for us to make it all happen.
We are blessed with musical talent in Thurles so we didn’t have to go far to fill the lineup with great bands, both well-established and up-and-coming. David and his amazing wife Josephine came up with the idea to raise funds for a local charity, which led to us getting on board with CAMEO Dementia Care from 2015-2020. I also set up a Féile Archive that summer to share old photos local photograher Eamon Brennan had taken back in the days, that has garnered a lot of interaction from all over Ireland and beyond with people sharing their memories of the original Féile, those that can remember.
This year’s lineup is as strong as ever. What acts are you particularly looking forward to seeing?
As anyone who organises festivals will tell you, you don’t really get to see any of the bands cause you’re too busy helping things run smoothly, not full sets anyway. To partly answer your question, we have Crow Black Chicken and The Jobseekerz togging out, bands I’ve not seen live before. London-born Palestinian-Irish rapper and spoken word artist Issac Speit returns for his second year. Thurles guitar wizard Jim ‘Gogga’ Fanning & Band will headline on the Sunday night, that will be a treat!
Last year, we added the ‘Sully Stage’ in memory of David, that gives an opportunity for more young musicians, singer-songwriters and a few who are taking the guitars down out of the attic to be a part of the weekend. Lend them your ear!
What makes Féile Beag stand out from other festivals, in your opinion?
There are so many festivals happening now that it’s hard to be different. We started out as a no-frills experience and have remained so. It is stripped back and raw with the sole focus on live music, no wellness tents, fancy dress, food stalls, discussions or the likes. Féile Beag to date has run completely independently of grants and corporate sponsorship, we have never applied to the Arts Council, big drink companies etc. We are DIY and will remain so!
How has the local music scene in Thurles grown or changed over the past decade, and has Féile Beag played a role in that?
Thurles has always had a strong music scene, going back to the showbands, 70s & 80s rock bands, 90s indie bands, and into the 2000s bands like The Rumours, Seskin Lane and Jester emerged who started to get slots at festivals like EP and radio play. Tipperary is also hugely proud of our local popstar Una Healy.
We hope Féile Beag continues that legacy. It gives a big stage and professional setup to established and emerging local musicians, encourages them to keep writing original music, recording new tunes, and forming bands in garages. Out of the 46 acts taking to the stage this year, around 70% are local, which speaks for itself.
The wealth of musical talent in Thurles cannot be overstated, thanks to that goes back to primary school where it all begins. We are privileged to witness local bands like Strings & Things, Mill Road, Bright Falls, Small Fish, Looks Like Eve and more. Recently, Music Generation set up in Tipperary and we are honoured to have them be a part of Féile Beag for the last few years.
Féile Beag has been a great supporter of Charities over the years, can you say what ones you have been involved in and which are you working with this year?
From 2015-2020, including virtual, we supported CAMEO, they provide respite in our community for families with people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia, something us aging rockers could end up with eh.
Since 2021, we have teamed up with Jigsaw Tipperary – Young People’s Health in Mind. They provide great support for children and young adults aged 12-25 throughout Ireland.
Under the guise of Féile Beag we also held two St Patrick’s Day events for the Loughtagalla Park Development.
Thanks to everyone who contributes to Féile Beag we have raised in the region of €80K locally.
For anyone coming to Féile Beag for the first time, what advice would you give them to make the most of it?
Enjoy great music and make new friends!
Finally, Féile Beag is all about community and passion — what do you hope it looks like in another 10 years?
Firstly, I want to thank the people that make it all happen. Ollie Geoghegan, Eoin Sheridan, Andrew Ng, Charile & the Staff at Hickey’s Pub who go above and beyond, what started in a back bar space has developed into a 700 capacity venue. Simon & Lorraine at Lumatech AV combined with Kevin Callanan on the sound & tech, does not happen without them. Ann & Martina who help out on the door. All the bands who have played and people who attend, go raibh míle. Thanks to you Kieran for taking photos all weekend, from start to finish, something the bands will have forever and will be a big part of the Féile Beag Archive. A very big thanks to our poster designer supreme, Jennifer Ryan Kelly. In recent years we formed a committee so adding to the above names I’d like to thank Mark O’Dwyer, Niall O’Shaugnessey and the Queen of Féile Beag, Josephine Norris.
Back to your question. Sully was all about helping what was coming up behind him, in music and on the rugby field. He held legendary status in Thurles and played the original Féile in Semple Stadium. Féile Beag was his baby, we dearly hope to continue that legacy and not change it too much in the next 10 years and beyond!
Chatting with Melvin reminds us why this festival matters so much. It’s not just the music — it’s the people behind it, the stories shared offstage, and the sense of something real happening in the heart of Thurles. Melvin’s reflections capture what Féile Beag has always been about: connection, creativity, and keeping it local. With ten strong years behind it and no signs of slowing down, the future of Féile Beag looks as exciting as.
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