Anna's Number strikes a chord with busker judges in Dungannon

by Q Radio News

Music was centre-stage in Dungannon on Saturday with the return of the annual Battle of the Buskers.

Five-piece band, Anna’s Number took the top prize of £1000 and the ‘Best Busker’ title, with singers Orlaith and Mollie named as runner-up.

Hugo Boitel-Gill took the title of Best Young Performer and Namwila Mulwanda from London was awarded the ‘Spirit of Battle of the Buskers’.

This was followed by a night of blues on Hill of The O’Neill.

Judges on the day were Andrew Boyd, music teacher at Royal School Dungannon, local musician and music teacher at Holy Trinity, Plunkett McGartland, and Paul Hughes from Stewarts music shop, Dungannon.

The music then moved to the Hill of The O’Neill for the Blues on the Hill concert headlined by Band of Friends, who once shared the stage with the late, great Rory Gallagher.

Speaking about the day, Chair of the Council, Councillor Kim Ashton says the breadth of music and talent on show during the afternoon from all the buskers was brilliant.

Presented with the ‘Best Young Performer’ award at the 2017 Battle of the Buskers is Hugo Boitel-Gill. Pictured with BBC Radio Ulster presenter, Kerry McLean, judge Andrew Boyd, music teacher at Royal School Dungannon, Councillor Kim Ashton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, judges Paul Hughes from Stewarts music shop, Dungannon and local musician and music teacher at Holy Trinity, Plunkett McGartland.