On The Verge (Ireland)

"On The Verge" is a Dublin based live music radio show and series of live concerts. The show is hosted by Brendan Hickey who also presents the live concerts.

Information

The show goes out live every Thursday at 8 pm for an hour.(D.S.F.M. 104.9FM) which can be heard within a radius of five miles from Rathfarnham, Dublin.

Brendan Hickey went to Pearse College in Crumlin, Dublin, as a mature student in media production and soon found that radio had become his favourite medium.

One of his early projects had been a documentary on Dave Murphy's "Singer / Songwriter Night" which took place, every Tuesday night, in Wicklow Street's International Bar. He encouraged Brendan to start giving performances of his poetry and honoured him with "resident poet" status. Brendan found these talented young musicians to be inspirational and formed a production team with the intention of recording as many of these aspiring musicians as possible.

Brendan joined Dublin South Community Radio (now D.S.F.M.) in 1996 and convinced the station to find a slot for "On the Verge", a programme, which concentrates on unearthing local talent and helping them up those first few steps in the business. The show is now celebrating ten years on air.

Over the years, the "On The Verge" team has also been responsible for staging regular music nights to showcase these artists.

From August 2004 - present, oTv in association with The Hemp Company, Capel St. has staged FREE gigs in SIN É on Ormond Quay every Wednesday. They previously held their concerts in Whelan's, Temple Bar Music Centre and The Hub all in the centre of Dublin.

In July 2007, Brendan Hickey cancelled all live On The Verge events due to a (undisclosed) very serious illness until further notice. He will continue to do the radio show. He continued with the live shows when his health improved the following month in the Sin E in Dublin but in September 2007, he announced he will no longer be doing his residency in that particular venue. He has since taken up residency in the more popular and central Thomas Reads bar on Dame Street, just doors away from The Olympia Theatre and a stone's throw from Temple Bar. He now also does his radio show live from the Dundrum Town Centre.

Previous acts

"On The Verge" can boast some of the finest Irish bands and artists to grace their stage and/or radio airwaves. These include

* Damien Dempsey
* Paddy Casey
* Mundy
* Jerry Fish
* Damien Rice
* Declan O'Rourke
* Mic Christopher
* Rob Smith
* The Frames
* Lisa Hannigan
* Gemma Hayes
* Glen Hansard
* Rodrigo Y Gabriela

and many more...

Trivia

Damien Rice thanks Brendan Hickey & D.S.F.M. on his multi-platinum album O

External links

* [http://www.ontheverge.ie Official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/onthevergeradio My Space]