Streetwise performers who are making musical waves

Galway City is a busking destination for musicians from all around the country, some of whom stay for a short while and others who make the city their long-term base.

The most famous graduate of Galway’s streets is Ed Sheeran, but others look set to follow in his footsteps, among them Brad Heidi, Kim O'Hehir, and Macdara O'Dwyer.

Brad and Macdara are normally found on Shop Street, sometimes busking together, and using their acoustic guitars to complement their voices. Several of their songs are originals while others are well-known covers.

Brad Heidi released his first EP, The First, at the beginning of the year. One of the songs, Hearts Get Broken Sometimes, reached number one in the iTunes Irish charts.

Brad, who is originally from Northern Ireland will be heading to London for a couple weeks in the summer to record and release new music in the upcoming season.

He’s understandably excited and says the next offering will be even better.

“The songs are tuned in to who I am today. For the last EP I wrote most of the songs six to seven years ago, so they no longer reflect myself as an artist. They reflect the youthful me,” he says.

“I feel it is very important to be present with your sound. Hopefully you’ll get a bit of me and who I am in the next songs.”

Busking in the streets has opened doors for Brad and Macdara and they hope to be scheduled to perform joint gigs at indoor venues this year, including the Róisín Dubh. However, because of Covid-19 restrictions, nothing is set in stone as artists continue to wait on the government to announce when the arts can open for live indoor performances.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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