White Chalk want your vote in RTÉ 2FM and Oxfam's Play the Picnic

Musicians from White Chalk are calling on the people of Westmeath to vote for them next weekend as they go head-to-head with nine other bands from across Ireland in the final stage of 2fm’s Play The Picnic with Oxfam competition.

Lead vocalist Conor Quinn (25), backing vocalist Niamh Kirby (25) and drummer Brian Masterson (22) are from Castletown-Geoghegan and Ardmore Road and were, along with their bandmates, last month among the 10 acts chosen from almost 500 entries nationwide to play Oxfam Ireland’s Oxjam tent at the Electric Picnic in Stradbally Estate in County Laois on August 29-31.

Now White Chalk are calling on local support as they and the other finalists have their winning track (recorded at RTÉ 2FM’s studios) played on the station across the weekend of August 9 and 10 in a public text vote competition to find one overall winning act.

The winner will go on to play The Cosby Stage – joining bands like Savages and Little Bear on the bill – at the festival and win a studio session with some of Ireland’s top sound engineers at 2fm’s state-of-the-art studios.

Conor Quinn said: “We are already over the moon to be part of the Electric Picnic line-up thanks to RTE 2fm and Oxfam Ireland’s Oxjam stage. It would be a dream come true to go on to play the Cosby Stage, an even bigger stage with an even bigger crowd!

“We’re so grateful to the people of Westmeath for supporting us to get this far but we’re asking them to please tune into 2fm on 9 and 10 of August and send a quick text to vote for us and help put Westmeath on the music map!”

To vote for White Chalk text Picnic10 to 50300. 100% of every €2 donated via text across most networks will go to Oxfam Ireland’s work. Some networks apply VAT where a minimum of €1.63 will go to the charity. The service is provided by LIKECHARITY – 01 443 38 90.