Focus

Missing the Main Theme Missing the Main Theme Adrian Smith John Kinsella's 11th symphony received its world premiere last weekend, conducted by Jean Deroyer. Adrian Smith reviews.
What Now for RTÉ Lyric FM? – An Interview with Aodán Ó Dubhghaill What Now for RTÉ Lyric FM? – An Interview with Aodán Ó Dubhghaill It is now over three weeks since RTÉ announced that it was closing the Lyric FM studios in Limerick and moving production of the national music and arts radio station to Cork and Dublin. What does this mean for the station's content and staff, and will the decision be reversed? The Journal of Music spoke to the Head of Lyric, Aodán Ó Dubhghaill.
Universal Connection Universal Connection Shannon McNamee Northern Irish singer Kitt Philippa's debut album has recently been released on Paragon Records. Shannon McNamee reviews.
An Alchemy That Makes You Wonder An Alchemy That Makes You Wonder Don O'Mahony The second Quiet Lights festival took place in Cork at the weekend. Don O’Mahony attends a selection of concerts including Caimin Gilmore, Lōwli, Lemoncello and Rosa Nutty on Saturday, and Junior Brother and Rozi Plain on Sunday.
Where It All Began Where It All Began Adrian Scahill Andy Irvine has recently released 'Old Dog Long Road, Volume 1', a two-disc retrospective containing live and private recordings dating from 1961 to 2012. Adrian Scahill reviews.
The Covert Voices The Covert Voices Rachel Deckard Rachel Deckard reviews Galway singer Maija Sofia at the Black Gate – our latest review in the Music Writer Mentoring Scheme for Galway City and County.
Are We Ambitious Enough for Irish Traditional Music? Are We Ambitious Enough for Irish Traditional Music? Toner Quinn The inaugural TradTalk conference, a new discussion forum for traditional artists, took place last weekend (16 November). Toner Quinn reflects on some of the issues raised.
Dance Moves in the Banquet Hall Dance Moves in the Banquet Hall Mark Fitzgerald Listening Bodies, a collaboration between the vocal group Tonnta and Kirkos ensemble, took place in Dublin's Smock Alley Theatre at the weekend and featured a four-hour programme of Irish and international work. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.
The High Drama of Homophobia The High Drama of Homophobia Laura Sheary Conor Mitchell's provocative new opera based on the DUP's derogatory comments on homosexuality premiered in Belfast last week. Laura Sheary reviews.
Lankum Won’t Let Ireland Forget Lankum Won’t Let Ireland Forget Toner Quinn Traditional music once comforted us and reassured us, writes Toner Quinn, but not Lankum.

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