Focus

Cork on a Good Day Cork on a Good Day Don O'Mahony The fourth edition of the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival took place in Cork on 7–10 September and featured Ólafur Arnalds, The Vernon Spring, Richard Reed Parry, Ye Vagabonds, Niamh Regan and more. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Demonstrating the Breadth of Irish Contemporary Styles Demonstrating the Breadth of Irish Contemporary Styles Brendan Finan On 3 September at the Hugh Lane Gallery, violinist Larissa O'Grady performed six new works for violin by Irish composers. Brendan Finan reviews.
When it Comes to New Music, the NSO Needs to Get a Move On When it Comes to New Music, the NSO Needs to Get a Move On Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra's new season begins on Friday 8 September, the second full season since it moved to the NCH. Adrian Smith looks ahead to some of the highlights and also considers the orchestra's programming of new music.
Continuing the Flow and Subtlety of the Clare Fiddle Tradition Continuing the Flow and Subtlety of the Clare Fiddle Tradition Adrian Scahill Fiddle player Tony Linnane has recently released his solo album, 'Ceol na Fidle', on Raelach Records. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Duos Moving in Many Directions Duos Moving in Many Directions James Camien McGuiggan NMC Recordings have recently released 'The Last Time I Died' by Ailís Ní Ríain, the first full-length album from the Irish composer. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
How Ireland Treats Its Free Thinkers – The Life and Death of Sinéad O'Connor How Ireland Treats Its Free Thinkers – The Life and Death of Sinéad O'Connor Toner Quinn The great Sinéad O'Connor has left Ireland with a lot to think about with regard to how we deal with dissent, writes Toner Quinn.
Vital Space in the City Experience Vital Space in the City Experience Drew Stephens The recent MusicTown festival featured a varied line-up of genres and artists including Izumi Kimura, ALYXIS, Crash Ensemble, Péist, Poor Creature, Paddy Keenan and more. Drew Stephens reviews two of the event's four days.
A Nightlife Against All Odds A Nightlife Against All Odds Drew Stephens DJs KETTAMA and Shampain, founders of the G–Town Records label, performed a headline show and took part in an artist talk at Galway International Arts Festival last week. Drew Stephens reviews.
Widening the Cracks in the Edifice of Neoliberalism Widening the Cracks in the Edifice of Neoliberalism Sebastian Adams Are contemporary music groups falling prey to 'the experience economy'? Or are they challenging the neoliberal consensus? Sebastian Adams, composer and Artistic Director of Kirkos, responds to a recent discussion on the Contemporary Music Centre’s Amplify podcast.
A Landmark Recording in Irish Piping A Landmark Recording in Irish Piping Verena Commins Na Píobairí Uilleann has recently released the first full album of women uilleann pipers, 'Mná na bPíob Uilleann: Vol. 1', featuring Emer Mayock, Rita Farrell, Muireann Ní Shé, Claire Fennell, Marion McCarthy, Maeve O’Donnell and Pamela Schweblin. Verena Commins reviews.

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