Focus

The Wonders of Bantry The Wonders of Bantry Adrian Smith The 2024 West Cork Chamber Music Festival took place from 28 June to 7 July in Bantry and featured Camerata Øresund, Chiaroscuro Quartet, Esther Hoppe, Boris Giltburg, Dana Zemtsov and many more. Adrian Smith reviews the concerts on 4 and 5 July.
Where is the Support for Activist Musicians? Where is the Support for Activist Musicians? Sebastian Adams Since the crisis in Gaza began, Irish musicians have made a huge effort as regards activism and fundraising, but where has the support been from music organisations, asks Sebastian Adams.
Kneecap's Pushback Against Power Kneecap's Pushback Against Power Verena Commins Kneecap's recently released debut album, 'Fine Art', unveils an extraordinary, bilingual Belfast world and features Radie Peat, Manchán Magan and Grian Chatten. Verena Commins reviews.
A Festival Drawn to the Introspective A Festival Drawn to the Introspective Brendan Finan The 2024 Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place on 14–15 June and featured music by Robert Ashley, Linda Catlin Smith and Stockhausen with performances by Varispeed Collective, Neue Vocalsolisten, Rihab Azar, Zoë Conway, Inni-k and more. Brendan Finan reviews.
Exploring Identity and Solitude at the Cutting Edge Exploring Identity and Solitude at the Cutting Edge Don O'Mahony A new film exploring the making of Úna Monaghan's experimental album 'Aonaracht' was broadcast on TG4 on 5 June. Don O'Mahony reviews.
A Tribute to Charlie Lennon A Tribute to Charlie Lennon Toner Quinn Remembering the great traditional musician and composer who passed away on 8 June.
A Composer's Guide to Cataclysm A Composer's Guide to Cataclysm James Camien McGuiggan RTÉ Lyric FM recently broadcast a two-part documentary on Irish composers and climate change, presented and produced by Jonathan Grimes of the Contemporary Music Centre. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Getting to What Remains Getting to What Remains Don O'Mahony Musician and composer Shane Latimer has just released a new album, 'Residuum', on the Diatribe label. Don O'Mahony reviews.
An Ambitious Musical Exploration of Migration and the Climate Crisis An Ambitious Musical Exploration of Migration and the Climate Crisis Brendan Finan Music for Galway's 9-day Cellissimo festival, with a strong focus on the issues of migration and the climate crisis, began on 18 May. Brendan Finan reviews the opening weekend.
Making Bedfellows of Traditional Music and Experimental Theatre Making Bedfellows of Traditional Music and Experimental Theatre Don O'Mahony Accordion player Danny O'Mahony and theatre company Brokentalkers toured their show 'Bellow' earlier this year. Don O'Mahony reviews.

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