Belfast busker and Co Tyrone native John Garrity has said a trip to Dubai is a ‘massive opportunity’ for the talented singer.
John is best known for some of his displays around the streets of Belfast, but recent exposure has landed him gigs playing in the chain of McCafferty’s pubs in the UAE.
Trillick man John, 31, has had a lifelong passion for music and is a familiar face on the busking scene in the city, as well as in bars and pubs in different parts of Northern Ireland.
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When the opportunity came from McCafferty’s to bring him over to Dubai for a series of gigs, John admitted he was sceptical initially.
“They have bars all over Ireland as well as Dubai and asked me would I be interested in doing some gigs in their bars here first of all,” John said.
“After doing them for a few weeks they asked if I would be interested in a trip to Dubai, I was a bit sceptical at the start with nerves but I decided to go ahead with it.
“I said I would do January for them as it’s a pretty quiet month back home anyway, and it’s a bit too cold for busking.
“Here I am now, there’s not a while pile going on back home with the weather being so cold. I was planning on taking a few weeks off anyway and chilling out, so I might as well be out here with a bit of good weather.”
Arriving out to the Middle East this week, John says he has been blown away by the response he is getting from expats and holidaymakers.
He added: “The amount of Irish out here is unbelievable, I’m here two days now and people are coming up to me from Belfast and Tyrone and Fermanagh. It’s been brilliant.
“It's a massive opportunity, any gig away from home I suppose is great. It’s a different audience and a totally different atmosphere.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, I’ve done a few gigs abroad and stuff for weddings but this will mainly be for people on holiday and those living and working here.
“I’ve another busy year lined up with gigs with my band in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and a few other places, but this is a great way to kick it off.”
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