— Film won best independent film at Galway Film Fleadh.
Some filmmakers pull up to their premieres in limos joined by their entourages, but that wouldn’t suit musician and filmmaker Nick Kelly.
He made a feature-length documentary film covering how he gigged his way from Dublin to Glastonbury by bicycle. Instead of a motorcade, the music-filled Critical Mass Dublin will act as the entourage for Kelly and anybody going to the “Dublin premiere” of ‘The Song Cycle’.
The ‘I Bike Bop’ Critical Mass will start at the earlier time of 5:30pm sharp at the end of this month, on September 27th. The group will cycle around some of its normal areas in the city centre before dropping Kelly and anybody else with tickets off at the Irish Film Insitute for the premiere at 6.20pm.
The film had its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh where it won the best independent film award.
As previously reported, Kelly used Kickstarter to fund his film which covers how, in 2022, he cycled from his home in Ireland to the Glastonbury Festival in England. He carried his guitar, tent and everything else he needed to prove that it was possible to be a touring musician without driving.
The film depicts the journey to the music festival with musical partner Seán Millar, who travelled by bus, and cameraman Céin O’Brien, who filmed the trip.
Tickets for the film must be booked in advance from the IFI and are reportedly selling fast. The screening forms part of the IFI Documentary Festival 2024 and will be followed by a Q&A with Kelly and Millar hosted by Tom Dunne.
The Critical Mass Dublin will start from Parnell Square North at the earlier time of 5.30pm (not the normal 6pm).
Updated: Galway readers informed us of its actual first screening in Galway and the article has been changed to clarify that.