Focus

Music in Ireland has a Glass Ceiling and it’s Called Nationalism Music in Ireland has a Glass Ceiling and it’s Called Nationalism Toner Quinn Unless music is coated in nationalistic terms it will struggle, writes Toner Quinn.
Does Irish Music Need One Voice? Does Irish Music Need One Voice? Toner Quinn The restrictions on live music are frustrating and perplexing for musicians and they point to larger issues, writes Toner Quinn.
Sounds and Sadness in South Dublin Sounds and Sadness in South Dublin James Camien McGuiggan The latest release from Farpoint Recordings is a combination of field recordings from Dún Laoghaire by Anthony Kelly and improvisations from pianist Izumi Kimura and violinist Cora Venus Lunny. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
A Distant and Different World A Distant and Different World Adrian Scahill What was the sound world of Ireland like during the fractious 1500s? A recent album by the Irish Consort directed by Siobhán Armstrong, 'Music, Ireland and the Sixteenth Century', provides us with a range of musical insights. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Ways of Talking and Thinking About Irish Traditional Music Ways of Talking and Thinking About Irish Traditional Music Martin Dowling A recent book by Jessica Cawley, 'Becoming an Irish Traditional Musician: Learning and Embodying Musical Culture', interviews 22 Irish traditional musicians and explores how they learnt their craft. Martin Dowling reviews.
Irish Fatalism and the Lack of Planning for Live Music Irish Fatalism and the Lack of Planning for Live Music Toner Quinn When it comes to reopening the live music sector, we have fallen for the classic Irish mistake: dreaming, but not taking practical steps, writes Toner Quinn.
The Retelling of Female Desire The Retelling of Female Desire Anna Murray The premiere of Amanda Feery and Megan Nolan's new opera 'A Thing I Cannot Name' took place online in July. Anna Murray reviews.
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.

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