Focus

A ‘Modest Uplift’ or Major Neglect? Music and the Arts in Northern Ireland A ‘Modest Uplift’ or Major Neglect? Music and the Arts in Northern Ireland Michael Quinn The Arts Council of Northern Ireland announced a 'modest uplift' for arts organisations this month, but after two decades of cuts and stand-still budgets, it is not enough, writes Michael Quinn.
The Paradox Only Partially Resolved: Bono's Stories of Surrender The Paradox Only Partially Resolved: Bono's Stories of Surrender Brendan Finan A new film about Bono is drawn from the singer's autobiographical show at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Brendan Finan reviews.
Pushing the Possibilities Pushing the Possibilities Adrian Smith British ensemble The Hermes Experiment opened this year's Dublin International Chamber Music Festival. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Deep Engagement with the Tradition A Deep Engagement with the Tradition Adrian Smith Composer Seán Doherty has recently released 'The Devil’s Dream', a collection of chamber works inspired by Irish traditional music, featuring the Sonoro Quartet, Sylvia O’Brien and Mark Redmond. Adrian Smith reviews.
‘That is the Writer’s Decision!’: The Legacy of Desmond Fennell ‘That is the Writer’s Decision!’: The Legacy of Desmond Fennell Toner Quinn To mark the publication of 'The Radical Thinking of Desmond Fennell' on 6 June, Journal of Music Editor Toner Quinn reflects on his experiences working with the writer and their correspondence over almost twenty years.
What Now for the Arts Council? What Now for the Arts Council? Toner Quinn After a failed IT project costing €6.675 million and the departure of Director Maureen Kennelly, the Arts Council faces a crisis of trust and direction. What does it mean for those who work in the sector, asks Toner Quinn.
A Tenderness Created in the Moment A Tenderness Created in the Moment Philip Watson Lauren Kinsella and Chris Hyson’s Snowpoet have just released their fourth album, 'Heartstrings'. Philip Watson reviews.
Tradition in Motion: Strung Live in Dublin Tradition in Motion: Strung Live in Dublin Brendan Finan The Irish traditional/classical ensemble Strung – Maria Ryan, Lucia Mac Partlin, Luke Howard and Kaitlin Cullen-Verhauz – performed at the Unitarian Church in Dublin on 20 May. Brendan Finan reviews.
History Repeats Itself as British Authorities Get to Decide Who the Terrorists Are History Repeats Itself as British Authorities Get to Decide Who the Terrorists Are Toner Quinn A member of Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offence, but those in power continue to look away from the deeper crisis, writes Toner Quinn.
Electric with Life in the Clovery Kingdom Electric with Life in the Clovery Kingdom James Camien McGuiggan Roger Doyle’s new album, 'We Who Live Under Heaven', released on Nyahh Records, draws inspiration from Joyce’s 'Finnegans Wake' and a letter by Lucia Joyce to her psychiatrist. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.

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