Small, diverse Arts Festival gigs to reward the curious
There are some great shows in the Arts Festival Big Top this year – like Brian Wilson, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (recently featured in this column) and Jenny Greene’s sold-out show with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. But, as is often the case with major festivals, the curious will be rewarded with trips to smaller spaces and stages.
One gig that jumps out straight away is Lankum (formerly Lynched), who come to St Nicholas’s Church on July 20. This is raucous, raw music that celebrates the grit and melody in Irish trad. Under their old name, the Dublin quartet played a sensational show in Róisín Dubh at last year’s Galway Sessions. Tickets for their Arts Festival show are €25.
Trad is also well represented in Monroe’s Live, with demand sure to be high for Stockton’s Wing on July 20 (€30), and the evergreen Donal Lunny & Andy Irvine on July 23 (€25). The venue will also be running its popular lunchtime trad showcases.
Fans of great hooks and dry wit will be delighted to see Badly Drawn Boy’s name on Monroe’s bill – the Mercury Prize winning Mancunian plays there on July 29 (€30).
In the Róisín Dubh, JFDR (July 30, €14/€12) is well worth putting into the diary. Her compatriot Bjork is a fan of this singer (real name Jófríður Ákadóttir) so enough said.
The eight-piece Soul Rebels play the Róisín on July 22 (€20/€18), and sound intriguing. Hailing from the same town, the fantastically monikered New Orleans Swamp Donkeys play on July 26 (€20/€18). Saint Sister, who lit up Other Voices this year, play on Saturday, July 29 (€20/€18).
More information on these shows at www.giaf.ie.