As years go, this one has already been highly successful for one leading Manx group.

And that is before they get to support one of the big name acts playing on the island this TT week.

Manx rap duo and producers Han-FX and Jor-DMC are looking forward to a high-profile support slot on the Hooded Ram stage, backing up New York funk rockers the Fun Loving Criminals this Sunday.

While this is quite a feather in their collective caps, they are also riding high after returning from Italy, where they were invited as special guests to a festival in Bari.

Han-FX, real name Keiran Hannifin, and partner-in-rhyme Jordan Preece were brought to the Art In Progress festival, after being spotted playing at the Dark Horse festival last year.

The Art in Progress festival is an entirely collectively funded event, with thousands of students from the area all contributing three euros each, and organising the bands themselves

’We met the organiser, and he ended up inviting us to play,’ said Keiran.

’We said yes, not really expecting it would happen. Then a couple of months ago he got in touch and asked if we were still interested in coming to Italy to play, and offering to cover all expenses and travel, everything. We said "We’re in!"’

It was by far the biggest crowd we’ve ever played to. There were around 4,000 people there, and it was dark when we went on, so we had the full lights, smoke machines and laser show going on.

’I couldn’t really take in what was going on at the time, and, seeing pictures afterwards, I couldn’t believe how big the crowd was. It was massive.

’We went down really well. There were rows of 17, 18 year old students who had looked us up and got to know the music, and knew all the words.

’That was amazing. Our online following has doubled since, all from Italians, and we ended up having loads of selfies taken of us, signing CDs and all that. It was a pretty full-on experience.’

Following on from their TT week schedule, which also includes a night on the Bushy’s stage, the hard-working duo are to release another CD, ’Captain Funkenstein and the Bendy Sex Whistles’, named after their saxophone section.

Then they head to the UK for a range of UK festival dates.

’Later this year, we’re playing at the Northern Green gathering festival, in August at the Equinox festival, in Lincolnshire at the end of September,’ said Keiran

’Then I’ll be at the Sonder festival, in Manchester. That takes place in loads of different pubs and clubs.

’It is the first UK gig I will be playing solo, which is pretty exciting. Just me and some loop effects.’

Han-FX will also appear at Bar Logo, the Schooner, in Ramsey and at the Secret Pizza company in Castletown during TT week.

by Mike Wade

twitter:@iomnewspapers