TJ Flynn talks to Brian Fitzgerald, one of the organisers of the second annual Bobfest, which takes place in Clonlara and celebrates the life and music of Bob Dylan.
A century down the line, it is a given that students of literature and philosophy will closely study the works of Bob Dylan. He’s a modern-day Mozart, a trapeze artist, an illusionist, a master of the media. Since he travelled down Highway 61 and landed in New York on a snowy winter’s day, he has remained in constant transformation.
Folk singer, liar, finger-pointing writer, poet, rock ‘n roll great, recluse, family man, born-again Christian, author, fake Santa.
It’s not just his songwriting ability or his penchant to avoid a label that has snared fans for the past six decades; it’s his ability to say the right thing at the right time and this is something that transcends physical, mental and social boundaries.
Everybody trapped in the web spun by Dylan can recall when and where they got stuck with vivid, day-glo clarity.
For Brian Fitzgerald, it happened when he was in his late teens, shortly after he had broken up with a girl.
“I thought I was Liam Gallagher at the time,” he says. “I was huge into Oasis but just after me and my girlfriend had broken up I went to a mate’s house who said ‘here, have a listen to this’.”
Fitzgerald was handed The Freewhelin’, one of Dylan’s earlier albums. He popped on ‘Don’t Think Twice’ and Dylan’s lyrics and voice lit up his mind.
“Jesus. I’d never heard anything like this before. It was like he was speaking to me, speaking at me. I totally got what he was saying. And I just listened over and over to this track.
“Of course I’d heard of Bob Dylan before but I hadn’t really listened to him. The next day I went into town and bought The Best Of. It just took off from there.”
Now Fitzgerald, along with Keith Forde and Tony and John O’Gorman, are putting the finishing touches to Bobfest 2010, which takes place on Saturday night at the Angler’s Rest in Clonlara, as a pre-cursor and little trailer to the following night’s big picture: Dylan’s appearance at Thomond Park in Limerick.
The organising crew of Bobfest 2010 are drawn mainly from Limerick but chose Clonlara as the venue for the celebration of Dylan and his music because of its proximity to the city and its accessibility, as well as the Angler’s Rest open-minded attitude to what they have in mind.
Last year, they hosted the first ever Bobfest, staging it at the foot of a mountain in Tipperary. With little promotion or advertising, over 150 people showed up.
The plan was to simply keep it simple. Little expense, a communal vibe and a good time guaranteed. They bought a couple of marquees for performances and a barbecue for grub and everything else was pure bells and whistles.
Those who turned up were invited to give their own take on Dylan’s work and the night ended late with the Minnesotan’s work being put to rap.
The following morning, it was clear there was a strong desire among those present that Bobfest should be continued and, when it was announced that Dylan was appearing in Thomond Park, the date was clear and obvious.
“Bobfest was something we had been speaking about for a long time,” continues Fitzgerald, “so when it proved to be such a big success last year, we definitely wanted to keep it going.
“This year, things are going to be a little more official. We have a nominal entrance fee of €15 and once more it’s going to be a relaxed vibe. We have seven or eight bands lined up and each will get stuck into Dylan. After that, I can see something informal developing into the night.
“There’s a great feel to the location and with the first band coming on stage at 6pm, we’re going to have a long evening of music. That’s more or less the template we have and it’s all about affordability as well. I know of some people who are coming to Bobfest who can’t make it to see Dylan the following night because ticket prices are too high.”
After this, it won’t end there. While Bobfest will look set to continue, Fitzgerald et al are looking at establishing a ‘60s music festival in Limerick in 2011.
“There’s little happening in the place along the lines of this, so we’re convinced there’s a hunger out there for it.”
For now, it’s all about Clonlara and Saturday night and Dylan’s music.
If the great man does it for you, then don’t think twice about not being there.
For more information, email bobfestireland@gmail.com. Tickets, priced at €15, are now on sale at Euro Empire (formerly Empire Music) O’Connell Street, Limerick and also at The Angler’s Rest, Clonlara. You can also pay at the door on the day of the gig.
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