Focus

The Enduring Vision of Julius Eastman The Enduring Vision of Julius Eastman Adrian Smith This week, in a livestream from the National Concert Hall, Crash Ensemble performed 'Femenine' by the black American composer Julius Eastman whose career was cut tragically short. Adrian Smith reviews.
Rebuilding the Public Conversation Around Music Rebuilding the Public Conversation Around Music Toner Quinn Why is the public conversation around music important, and how do we make it stronger? Toner Quinn reflects on twenty years of publishing the Journal of Music and the changes that have taken place.
After All the Work After All the Work Andrea Cleary Self-reflection – often painful, confusing and difficult – is at the heart of singer-songwriter Ailbhe Reddy's debut album 'Personal History'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Freefalling and Unfolding Freefalling and Unfolding Brendan Finan Composer Ed Bennett's new album 'Psychedelia' includes a number of large-scale works and features Decibel, Kate Ellis, Eliza McCarthy and Jack McNeill. Brendan Finan reviews.
How the Arts Made Their Funding Breakthrough How the Arts Made Their Funding Breakthrough Toner Quinn The government’s funding announcement for the arts in Budget 2021 was unprecedented, and there are lessons to be learned from the way in which it came about, writes Toner Quinn.
Room for the Mysterious Folk Room for the Mysterious Folk Don O'Mahony Composer and producer Neil O'Connor (formerly Somadrone) has recently released 'Ampere', a second album under the title Ordnance Survey, featuring collaborations with Dónal Lunny, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cormac Mac Diarmada and David Murphy. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Every Second Feels Real Every Second Feels Real Jake Tiernan After emerging onto the scene in 2017, releasing two EPs and performing at many of Ireland's festivals, pop-grunge four-piece Pillow Queens released their debut album last month. Jake Tiernan reviews.
There's Strength in Song There's Strength in Song Shannon McNamee Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford's second album 'Sowing Acorns', released last month, is a blend of folk-inspired songwriting and upbeat pop. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Love of the Living Sounds Love of the Living Sounds James Camien McGuiggan Composer Karen Power's new album 'human nature' combines recordings of the living world with improvisations from musicians such as Michelle O'Rourke and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
The Futures We are Imagining are Too Narrow The Futures We are Imagining are Too Narrow Toner Quinn Toner Quinn reviews two new works, 'Óró', which brought together artists from around Europe and took place in the Conamara Gaeltacht, and Jennifer Walshe’s live-streamed premiere, 'Ireland: A Dataset'.

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