An Exchange in the Truest Sense
Don O'Mahony
The New Irish Jazz Orchestra directed by Paul Dunlea recently collaborated with fiddle-player Martin Hayes for a concert at the Curtis Auditorium in Cork (16 June). Don O'Mahony reviews.
Songs with History
Rachel Deckard
In the fifth review from our new Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by Galway City and County Arts Offices, Rachel Deckard reviews Ye Vagabonds at the Róisín Dubh in Galway, a concert to showcase their latest album 'The Hare's Lament'.
Dream of Distortion
Shannon McNamee
Just Mustard from Dundalk recently supported The Cure and this week were announced for the Iceland Airwaves festival. Shannon McNamee reviews their Galway concert at the Róisín Dubh.
Travels with My Aria
Tara Broderick
In the fourth review from our new Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by Galway City and County Arts Offices, Tara Broderick reviews mezzo soprano Sharon Carty's concert of 'Suitcase Arias'.
Toast the Nonconformists
Toner Quinn
The Open Ear festival of experimental and electronic music on Sherkin Island is now in its fourth year. It has a spirit of nonconformism, and provided one of the most unique moments one could imagine for a music festival, writes Toner Quinn.
Composer Discovers Orchestra!
Adrian Smith
Gerald Barry's Viola Concerto received its world premiere last week, performed by Lawrence Power and the Britten Sinfonia with Thomas Adès conducting. It's Barry's third concerto in recent years and it may be 'the wackiest of the lot', writes Adrian Smith.
Futuristic and Fearless
Laura Sheary
'...existential musings... music to move to' – Laura Sheary reviews the recent double-bill at the Black Box in Belfast featuring genre-bending groups Robocobra Quartet and Meltybrains?
Screens Draw the Eye
Brendan Finan
Louth Contemporary Music Society presented the world premiere of Canadian composer Nicole Lizée's 'Spielberg Études' at Drogheda Arts Festival on 4 May, as well as her 'Hitchcock Études' and 'Kubrick Études'. Brendan Finan reviews the unique audio-visual works.
Tradition in the Making
Massimo Cattaneo
In the third review from the new Journal of Music Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, supported by Galway City and County Arts Offices, Massimo Cattaneo reviews a Raelach Records showcase at the Black Gate featuring button accordionist Conor Connolly and fiddle-player Claire Egan.
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No Magical Ending for Irish National Opera's Season
Irish National Opera concluded its January to May short season with 'The Magic Flute' at the Gaiety last week, but it was a disappointing final production with questionable directorial decisions, writes Adrian Smith.