LOCAL roots rock band The Tempest Fugitives are to take to the stage at this year’s Sunflowerfest in Hillsborough.

The band, including West Belfast natives Damian Higgins (vocals/guitar), Stevie Robinson (guitar) and Eamonn Matthews (drums), along with Niall McLaughlin (bass) from Randalstown, won their spot on stage as victors in the Jägermeister Battle of the Bands, hosted at the Pavilion Bar last month.

“Playing Sunflowerfest is going to be the highlight of our summer,” Damian told the Andersonstown News.

“When we entered the competition, we just wanted decent exposure and to meet other bands we could gig with in the future; we didn’t think we’d win

“Now we can’t wait to get down to the farm,” he added.

Now in its 6th year, the annual festival held each summer on Tubby’s Farm in Hillsborough, County, Down, has quickly become a must-attend festival for all things related to music and art and is attended by music lovers from across Ireland and the UK.

“We are delighted to welcome Tempest Fugitives to this year’s Sunflowerfest,” said festival organiser Michael Magowan.

“Known for our enthusiasm for music of all genres, the band’s authentic bluesy roots-rock sound will add to the array of music featured at Sunflowerfest which includes musicians and artists from metal and folk to indie, hip hop, reggae, punk and world music genres and offers testament to the amazing home-grown talent we have here in northern Ireland.”

The Tempest Fugitives will take to the festival’s main stage on the first day of Sunflowerfest, Friday 31 July and perform their set from 3.25pm.

For more information or to purchase tickets to this year’s Sunflowerfest visit www.facebook.com/SunflowerFest