The National Concert Hall has announced the programme for the second iteration of the experimental, electronic and contemporary classical music weekend, Haunted Dancehall.

Taking place on 3–5 November, the event will see 40 artists perform including Kali Malone, Tirzah, Loraine James, Crash Ensemble, Lonnie Holly, Lucrecia Dalt, Space Afrika and more at the NCH and satellite venues. 

Haunted Dancehall was established last year in response to the report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, which made 36 recommendations to improve the night-time fare for urban centres. The first edition, described in Drew Stephens’ Journal of Music review as ‘a great opportunity for people in Dublin to see many touring acts at once’, was voted Irish Times festival of the year

Headliners
Haunted Dancehall 2023 begins with a main auditorium concert by Crash Ensemble, who will present two performances of Philip Glass’ Glassworks and Terry Riley’s In C. On Saturday, experimental pop artist Tirzah headlines with a show featuring tracks from her recent album trip9love…???. On Sunday, the main auditorium will feature Colombian experimental musician Lucrecia Dalt making her Irish debut and American Stockholm-based composer Kali Malone, accompanied by Stephen O’Malley.     

Haunted Dancehall also sees the return of London producer Loraine James who released Gentle Confrontation, her third album for the Hyperdub label, earlier this year. In addition, the bill features sets from Manchester ambient noise duo Space Afrika, New York’s Dawuna, Japanese sound artist Yosuke Fujita aka FUJI|||||||||||TA , Alabama-born improviser and visual artist Lonnie Holley, and English pianist James McVinnie performing Philip Glass’ Passacaglia and Piano Études 17–20. 

Irish singer-songwriter Maria Somerville is also on the line-up and will perform new music; emerging producer Spooklet brings her blend of techno, grime and punk; and there will also be Irish debuts from Warp recording artists Kelly Moran and Clarissa Connelly, plus Rainy Miller, Sofie Birch, Moin and Lee Gamble.  

The John Field Room on Saturday and Sunday will feature DJs such as LOLZ, Dublin-based Spanish DJ Alba, ambient artists Soria and Gareth Quinn Redmond, DJ Eliza, Dublin-based club DJ Little O, a set from composer and sonic artist Natalia Beylis, plus Irish broadcaster John Kelly.  

This year, Haunted Dancehall will also include two new locations with late-night events at Anseo on Camden Street and the Sugar Club, including Dónal Dineen’s Backstory, Limerick DJ and turntablist Naive Ted, David Kitt’s electronic project New Jackson, and Cork electronic producer Mineral Stunting.    

Daily tickets for the National Concert Hall include all rooms and are priced at €27. Food and drink will be sold throughout the venue on the evening. Tickets for the Sugar Club will be sold separately for €10 each night. Events in Anseo will be free and will be first-come, first-served.   

Haunted Dancehall is presented in association with the promoter Foggy Notions and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Tickets are on sale from Friday 6 October at 10am. Visit www.nch.ie.

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For the full line-up, see below. 

HAUNTED DANCEHALL 2023

FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER
Crash Ensemble perform Glassworks by Philip Glass and In C by Terry Riley   
Main Stage, NCH   
From 8pm     

Dónal Dineen’s Backstory featuring Dreamcycles (live), Celica (live), Big Cheeks, Hewan Mulugeta and Donal Dineen   
The Sugar Club   
From 11pm    

Fixity, White Sage & Ankil   
Anseo (upstairs)   
From 10pm    

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER  
James McVinnie performing Philip Glass’ Passacaglia and Piano Études 17–20   
Main Stage, NCH   
From 5.30pm     

Tirzah   
Main Stage, NCH   
From 8.30pm    

Loraine James, Moin, Lonnie Holley, Naive Ted, Cosha    
The Studio, NCH   
From 3pm    

Clarissa Connelly, Olan Monk, Rainy Miller, Dawuna   
The Studio, NCH   
From 3pm    

Little O, Alba, Eliza     
John Field Room, NCH   
From 3pm    

Rory Sweeny (live), Naive Ted, Mercorn    
The Sugar Club   
From 11pm    

Péist, Mineral Stunting   
Anseo (upstairs)   
From 10.30pm    

SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 
Lucrecia Dalt   
Main Stage, NCH   
From 5.30pm   

Kali Malone   
Main Stage, NCH   
From 8pm    

Kelly Moran, Lee Gamble (live), Maria Somerville, Space Afrika   
The Studio, NCH   
From 3pm    

Gareth Quinn Redmond, Sofie Birch, Soria, Spooklet, FUJI|||||||||||TA   
Kevin Barry Room, NCH   
From 3pm    

LOLZ, Natalia Beylis (DJ set), John Kelly   
John Field Room, NCH   
From 3pm    

New Jackson, Fran Lobo, darkmavis   
The Sugar Club   
From 11pm    

Jasmine Wood, peak hue   
Anseo (upstairs)   
From 10.30pm