Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10am for a remarkable New Year’s Eve pub gig featuring Van Morrison and his band at the recently opened Harp Bar on Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

Just along the street from the site of the original bar, which features heavily in the evocative punk era film Good Vibrations, the Harp hosts live music every day, and last night the band was the Dud Scores, three guitarists and a cajón player on this occasion, with a penchant for Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Band.

And fittingly just ahead of the news that Van, who was recently given the freedom of the city of Belfast, will play the bar, the Scores did their own rendition of ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ a highlight of last night's first set. With good uncomplicated sightlines and acoustics the bar is decked out with period fittings and is located on the site of the restaurant Nick's Warehouse.

Van’s band for the New Year's Eve show is understood to be comprised of leading local jazz players for the occasion plucked from the DanaMeliana 6, including pianist Scott Flanigan who last night was performing in duo with saxophonist/vocalist Barry McCrudden at Berts jazz bar nearby.
The Dud Scores performing at the Harp, above left. Story and picture: Stephen Graham