THE Divine Comedy, Duke Special, Grant Hart and Little Bear are just some of the names heading to Limavady next weekend for the third Stendhal Festival. Taking place at Ballymully Cottage Farm just outside the Co Derry town, other notable names on the bill are Paddy Casey, Mick Wilson (10CC), Our Krypton Son, Alana Henderson, The Clameens, Ria Maguire and Rainy Boy Sleep. Some have said the festival - which can count Turin Brakes and comedian Phil Kay as previous acts - could lead to Limavady being renamed 'Lima-vegas'. Derry-born Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, pictured, has said that fans at the festival can expect "a little bit of everything". "One minute it's National Express, the next it's Snowball in Negative; it keeps people on their toes."
The festival takes its name from Stendhal Syndrome - a psychosomatic illness that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to art.
It's only a name, though, so don't worry about fainting or hallucinating when you get there. The music will include Pocket Billiards, Amidships, Trucker Diablo, Axis Of, The Bonnevilles, Malojian, Sons of Caliber, More Power To Your Elbow, Wylding and an NI Opera showcase. There will also be comedy from John Moloney, theatre, poetry, activities for families and children and art (notably eye-catching acrylic cows by artist Anna Copeland). ? The Stendhal Festival of Art takes place at Ballymully Cottage Farm on August 16 and 17 (StendhalFestival.com). Weekend tickets (£30) available via RoeValleyArts.com or by calling 028 7776 0650.