Focus

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.
Seeing Beyond Seeing Beyond Toner Quinn The Irish Memory Orchestra and 26 musicians with sight loss gave the world premiere of Dave Flynn's Vision Symphony last weekend. Toner Quinn reviews.
Witness to Suffering Witness to Suffering Tim Diovanni Kirkos ensemble gave a performance of Sebastian Adams' 'Harry Patch' and Robert Coleman's 'Cross' last month in Dublin. Tim Diovanni reviews.
2020 – Where is the Money in Today's Music World? 2020 – Where is the Money in Today's Music World? Gareth Murphy The music business isn't just coming back to life right now, it may actually be bigger than before. What has changed, how did it happen, and what does it mean for artists? Gareth Murphy surveys the contemporary industry and asks: Who is making money from music and how?
Making the Case for Ina Boyle Making the Case for Ina Boyle James Camien McGuiggan A recent book on the life and work of the Irish composer Ina Boyle suggests an oeuvre worth uncovering. James Camien McGuiggan explores the arguments.
There Are No Winners There Are No Winners Toner Quinn Last weekend, Irish National Opera gave the first ever Irish performance of an opera by Vivaldi – the story of a formidable woman subjected to ridicule and abuse. Toner Quinn reviews.

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