It’s the start of the big time for Wigan’s three piece big noise band, Boomin. The lads – brothers Adam and Edd and college mate Rory – have played together for six years, and worked with some of the top names in the business. And in mid August their first album goes on sale and the sound of Wigan is set to hit a huge audience.
“We’re going to give it all we’ve got,” says Rory O’Grady. The 26 year old is the group’s bass guitarist. “The hard work starts now and if something happens that’s great.”
Chosen to headline the council’s bid for national glory at Britain in Bloom, Boomin took centre stage at a busy launch day in Wigan town centre this spring. Alongside the flowers and residents’ eco projects, the band showed that using your talents for the benefit of the whole community is a big part of the ‘In Bloom’ agenda. They were back on stage in town a few weeks later as part of the major Diamond Fest events for the Jubilee celebrations along with other local bands and sporting heroes.
Cllr Chris Ready, cabinet champion for leisure, was impressed with the band’s dedication to their Wigan fanbase. “The town has a great history of musicians,” he says, “And Boomin continue that, having been taught music in our local schools and colleges and wanting to carry on doing their bit for the community.”
Boomin pay tribute to the quality of teaching at school and at Wigan & Leigh College, where Adam and Edd Langmead met Rory O’Grady. “We had some great teachers, including Peter Frampton and Andy Gleave,” Rory adds. “They brought out the best in us.” These days the lads work alongside Pixie Lott, Craig David and McFly.
Cllr Ready and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy were in the audience for Boomin’s DiamondFest set. This week they both joined the lads to help launch their first album. Ms Nandy says: “Boomin are a real credit to the town and the teachers who inspired them. They're already putting Wigan on the map, I wish them the best of luck with the new album which I'm sure will be a huge success.”
Rory adds: “For any band it’s always special to perform in your home town because that is where the fans have followed you from day one. Our thoughts are already on the second album and how exciting that would be. We are just getting started.”
