There was an electric atmosphere in The Crowes’ Nest, Enniskillen on Sunday (January 1) as Rock the Lough returned with a great line-up of live music acts to kick off the new year whilst raising money for two great causes.

Starting at 5pm on the day, the event featured bands and artists across two stages – an acoustic stage downstairs, and an electric stage upstairs – with money raised from donations on the day to be divided between Action Mental Health and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Talking about the great success of the event – that raised £2,000 – organiser Jack Bogue said: “The atmosphere was electric, there’s no other way to describe it!

“It went really well. For the day it was, New Year’s Day, we were expecting it ... not to be small, but not as big as usual, but we actually got a very good crowd.

“Upstairs was packed towards the end of the night, but downstairs, the acoustic stage was busy the whole day.

“It was consistently full from about 7pm,” he added.

The Rock the Lough line-up featured a mix of local performers and a few from farther afield, creating an eclectic bill with something for all tastes.

“We got the biggest names we could and we [tried to stay] as local as possible. We wanted to get The Rubber Plants back, because they were associated with Rock the Lough for years.

“So that was the band from furthest afield, and then we had Davy K from Castlederg.

“Downstairs, everyone was local; there was Stephen Brennan from the town and The Sentrals, they were brilliant, headlining the acoustic stage,” said Jack, adding: “They just kept the crowd going and they played right up until 1am, and after they finished everyone went upstairs for the last hour.”

Also featured on the acoustic stage were Sean McBride, Sean Swift, Aaron Wilson, Krum Maguire, Conor Phillips, Emma Leonard, Pete Fernley and Shauna and Clare McMorrow with Pete Creswell.

Upstairs on the electric stage, alongside The Rubber Plants and the Davy K Project, the line-up included Blonde Rifle, Cold Shot and Restless Natives.

Grateful for all the help and support he received in putting on the event, Jack said: “Thanks to all the bands that played. Thanks to the Crowes’ Nest for all their help and support. Thanks to Oliver Hanley for the long sit at the door, collecting donations and selling t-shirts!

“I’d also like to thank Complete AV Solutions who provided our PA for upstairs, and Full Moon Fever who provided both a drum kit and our downstairs PA.

“Finally, a massive thank-you to everyone who came out and supported the bands and donated – you are all absolute legends.”

Commenting that Rock the Lough is to return “sooner than you think”, Jack explained that he has plans to host the charity gig again this year, this time back at its traditional end of summer slot in August.