Focus
Embracing the Louth Spirit
The Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place last weekend and featured American composer Caroline Shaw, new work by Linda Catlin Smith, Cassandra Miller and Sam Perkin, and a version of Terry Riley's 'In C' performed by Irish traditional musicians. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Summer Without Siamsa – Are We Forgetting About Local Arts Communities?
The board and management of Siamsa Tíre in Tralee have suspended ‘all non-profit-making productions' for the summer season, but what does that mean for the original vision of the theatre and in particular the local arts community, asks Daithí Kearney.
Finding New Sounds in Sean-nós
The singer Síle Denvir has recently released a new sean-nós album, 'Anamnesis', produced by John Reynolds. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Listen Closer
'Voces amissae', a new work by composer Ian Wilson, was premiered at the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival on 9 June in Dublin Castle. Thomas Neill reviews.
Minor Melancholia
'The Blue Light', a new album by composer Garrett Sholdice, has just been released on the Ergodos label. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nurturing a New Generation of Sean-nós Singers
TG4 recently broadcast 'Bláth na hÓige', a seven-part series focusing on the emerging generation of sean-nós singers, and the music has just been released on the Gael Linn label. Toner Quinn reviews.
In the Presence of Potts
The premiere of Neil Ó Lochlainn's new suite 'Tairseach', inspired by the music of fiddle player Tommie Potts, took place at Solstice Arts Centre on 26 May. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Many Sides of Erased Tapes
On 20 May, the National Concert Hall hosted an evening of concerts to mark 15 years of the Erased Tapes contemporary music label. Drew Stephens reviews.
A Hard-hitting Commentary on the Experience of Asylum Seekers
Composer Jamie Thompson's Adjunct Ensemble has just released 'Sovereign Bodies / Ritual Taxonomy' on the Diatribe label, focusing on the ordeal of asylum seekers. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Traditional Fiddler in the Modern World: Exploring the Music of Paddy Canny
A new book by Helen O’Shea, 'No Better Boy: Listening to Paddy Canny', journeys into the art of the great East Clare fiddle player. Martin Dowling reviews.