Focus

Healing and the Music of Damien Dempsey Healing and the Music of Damien Dempsey Shannon McNamee 'Love Yourself Today' – centred around a 2019 Damien Dempsey concert at Vicar Street – premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh last week. Shannon McNamee reviews.
Exploring Loss Under Lockdown Exploring Loss Under Lockdown Adrian Scahill A new short film about the passing of the great fiddle-player Ben Lennon during lockdown last year, as narrated by his brother Charlie, was premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Music and the Arts Need Ideas and Debate Too Music and the Arts Need Ideas and Debate Too Toner Quinn The writer Desmond Fennell, who died this week, had clear ideas about the role of new thinking and debate in society. They are relevant to Irish music today, writes Toner Quinn.
Gathering and Scattering Sounds Gathering and Scattering Sounds Brendan Finan The Galway orchestra Luminosa recently premiered a new adventurous work by Sam Perkin as part of its second 'Arcadia' concert. Brendan Finan reviews.
Personal Departure Personal Departure Kevin McCullagh Danny Diamond's recently released album with Brian Miller, 'Let Fly', marks a change from earlier recordings. Kevin McCullagh reviews.
Between Oppositions Between Oppositions Adrian Smith In July, the Dutch Ragazze Quartet premiered Garth Knox's new work 'Four Into Twenty' as part of the online West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Adrian Smith reviews.
Elusive Sounds Elusive Sounds Andrea Cleary Saint Sister recently released their second album 'Where I Should End'. Andrea Cleary reviews.
Why Isn’t Irish Traditional Music ‘Curated’ Too? Why Isn’t Irish Traditional Music ‘Curated’ Too? Toner Quinn Now in its seventh edition, the latest 'Tradition Now' festival took place at the National Concert Hall on 19–20 June, but it is still not clear what this event is trying to achieve, writes Toner Quinn.
A Gripping Memoir Woven Through with Trauma A Gripping Memoir Woven Through with Trauma Laura Watson In her recently published memoir, 'Rememberings', Sinéad O'Connor takes ownership of the narrative around her life and music, writes Laura Watson.
Midsummer Reinvention Midsummer Reinvention Adrian Smith The world premiere of David Fennessy's 'Rosewoods' for guitar and orchestra took place on Monday 21 June as part of the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival. Adrian Smith reviews.

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