There’s basically two ways to look at Arthur’s Day – a cynical marketing ploy dreamed up in a corporate office, or just a chance to enjoy some cheap (or free) Guinness and see some big name acts in small venues. I took the latter approach and I must say I enjoyed it very much!
Arthur’s Day started a few years ago with acts playing at St. James gate to celebrate Arthur Guinness and all that he has done. It was also a chance to get some publicity and sell a truck load of Guinness. It grew to eventually incorporate Belfast and so for the first year I decided to see what all the fuss was about. There’s about 29 participating pubs in belfast and 7 of those get chosen through a voting system to have big name acts appear. So on the day no-one knows who’s playing where or even if the pub you’re at has a special guest. Even with Twitter and Facebook, no-one had much of an idea who was playing where. Basically you have to pick a pub, buy a Guinness and hope for the best. I like Guinness, so this wasn’t a tall task for me;) I went with a few friends to Whites Tavern, where I immediatley saw flame haired photographer to the stars Carrie Davenport, a good sign that some-one big was playing. We got wrist-bands and headed upstairs, a free Guinness in hand and we were ready for the 5.59PM toast “…to Arthur” Not long after and an announcement on Facebook about 3 mins before he took to the stage and Tinie Tempah came out to play probably the smallest gig he’s played in a while.
I wasn’t sure I knew that many of Tinie Tempah’s tunes, but as the gig went on it became clear that I knew the majority of them. He tore through an hour set with a bass that could’ve shattered the windows. I sunk a few more Guinness while the gig went on (so I guess the advertising works) and it seemed like the crowd sung along to every word. Tinie (we’re on first name terms now) Joked along with the crowd, took photos and demanded some-one buy him a Guinness and as we had another toast to Arthur and the flash bubs went off we all began to file out for some fresh air.
It’s not often that you get to see a number one pop star in such an intimate setting, so I’m glad I was there. It was seomthing special for Arthurs day and i guess thats what Guinness are trying to do. Of course they’re trying to drum up publicity and sell Guinness, but if I can see some bands, have some free guinness then I’m all for it. I think I’ll be celebrating Arthurs day again next year. To Arthur indeed!
