BY MARK MCKELVEY
AFTER a peerless performance, one that generally sent the crowd into continuous hysteria, they lingered by the bar, waiting in anticipation to see if they had done it and to see if they were through to the all-Ireland final.
As the judges toiled backstage over their decision, the band and their legion of fans stood in expectation of the result. A full 45 minutes after they had left the stage the decision finally came when compere, Johnny Hero started to call out the names off the five finalists.
With each name called out, the tension levels rose further. With only two places remaining Johnny sent their legions of fans crazy when he confirmed that Freerider were through, they were in the Ireland Final of Battle of the Bands.
That was last Thursday night at the regional finals held in the Empire in Belfast.
Describing the tension on the night and how it felt to progress Freerider's lead singer Niall Donnelly said, "For the first time in a long time I felt nervous about a gig, but those eight minutes while on stage was the only time that day the nerves left me.
"There was a massive air of relief when our name was called out as we knew we had the crowd going but we were still unsure how the judges felt. It was extra special for us to go through as we got eliminated at this stage last year."
With each of the ten bands allowed to play two songs each, the right song selection is essential, so although surprising to the crowd, Freerider were confident in their choice to perform Kings and Needles a song they had written only three weeks previously.
"We wrote that song on one night about three weeks ago and recorded it the night after," stated Niall.
"It is a song that is more honest to our own sound, I think everybody felt a connection with it, so we decided if we were going to get through we had to do something better than the first round so we felt by doing this new song gave us the best possible chance."
Explaining the reason for alternating songs, Niall added, "It is not only giving the judges something new, but also giving ourselves something different as when we are standing up there, we need a little adrenaline and nerves is the best way to do that."
Despite Freerider's elation there was mixed emotions on the night for the travelling support as the other Omagh band on show, The Hotrocks unfortunately failed to progress to the next stage.
Praising their performance Niall said he was surprised the Hotrocks did not make it through to the next round.
"After the Hotrocks performance in the first round I was sure they were going through as no other band had a sound that was more unique," stated Niall.
Freerider expressed their appreciation for the magnificent support they received, stressing how looking out and seeing so many familiar faces in the audience settles them down.
"There was an unbelievable feeling when we walked out on stage, waiting to be announced, the crowd started screaming and roaring," said Niall.
"It is always good to play in front of a really receptive crowd, we are so grateful for that support, and hopefully there is even more next time."
With the Ireland Final scheduled for Sunday November 5, again in the Empire, Freerider have a hectic schedule this weekend performing for the first time at the G sessions in the Elk in Toomebridge tomorrow night (Friday) before travelling to Liverpool to play in John Moores Student Union on the Saturday and the famous Cavern Club on the Sunday.
To listen to both bands music visit: http://freeridermusic.bebo.com and http://The-Hotrocks.bebo.com
