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FROM THIS WEEKEND, the capital has been turned into a town filled with music thanks to a festival involving a range of diverse events.
The 10-day MusicTown – which kicked off on Friday – sees a range of concerts, masterclasses, collaborations and workshops taking place in Dublin until 22 April.
The event, which is organised by Dublin City Council and Aiken Promotions, bills itself as “setting out to explore and celebrate the diverse constellation of music cultures that exist in Dublin City, MusicTown aims to unify the city, making its music relatable and accessible, instilling a sense of pride in Dublin’s musical heritage, whilst welcoming newcomers and visiting artists”.
This year, the overall programme focuses on the themes of collaboration and community.
As to what genres will be covered? Expect everything from opera, choral and contemporary classical to hip-hop, electronic, traditional, folk and rock.
“Through MusicTown Dublin City Council seeks to showcase the best of Dublin’s music while also encouraging new audiences to try new musical experiences,” says City Arts Officer, Ray Yeates
Leagues O’Toole, Creative Director for MusicTown, says that “music is one of the most community-oriented activities I can think of”.
What I love about music is how open a playing-field it is, one where actors, writers, visual artists, literally anyone can get involved. So we thought this year it would be good to meditate on those themes of “community” and “collaboration”.
We’ve taken a look at the line-up and picked out some of our favourites – but there’s a huge amount on, so do take a look at the full line-up on the MusicTown website.
Tuesday 17 April
The Unthanks and the Orchestra of Ireland collaborate across two consecutive nights. The Mercury nominated Tynesiders will take a symphonic exploration into their best-loved material, plus new work specially devised for these shows.
Issa Vibe will bring together live music from Loud Motive, JyellowL, Sequence and Verified alongside spoken word from Felispeaks, Sasha Terfous and Dagogo Hart. The night will also feature an art exhibition based around the Issa Vibe theme.
Wednesday 18 April
Olwen Fouéré will recite TS Eliot’s Four Quartets, and to accompany this Ficino Ensemble will perform two contemporary string quartet masterpieces: Thomas Ades’ String Quartet Four Quarters and John Corigliano’s Grammy Award-winning String Quartet. Both these works will be performed in Ireland for the first time.
A collaboration of storytelling, song and instrumental music recounting the tales of Dublin’s former dockworkers. Paddy Nevin, Declan Byrne, Paddy Daly and John Walsh will tell the historic, grueling and comic stories of their many years of service on the Dublin docks. East Wall’s Macdara Yeates will provide songs between stories that are inspired by the Dublin quays.
Friday 20 April
County Cavan songwriter Lisa O’Neill has invited writer Pat McCabe and musicians Lynch and McCombs to collaborate with her for this special musical event.
A series of special concerts for young audiences of all ages. Featuring banjo, guitar, accordion, keyboard and percussion, Moxie are inspired by traditional music and the west of Ireland – with some world and jazz influences too.
Saturday 21 April
John Sheahan is the last living member of The Dubliners, while Colm Mac Con Iomaire is a solo musician and founding member of the influential experimental trad outfit Kíla and The Frames. One for those who love trad and folk.
Sounds of the Diaspora is dedicated to the diversity of African and Caribbean music styles and their influence within the Irish music scene today. This concert showcases three artists who explore their musical heritage in melody, rhythm and imagery, while combining it with contemporary musical styles. Ines Khai, Farah Elle and Fehdah will perform.
Sunday 22 April
For this family-friendly event, children aged from seven to 15 along with their favourite teddies and dollies will be joined by adult members of the choir dressed as Dublin ‘characters’. They will make their way through the streets of Dublin performing as they go.
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Probably the most fascinating serial killer in modern times. I must refamiliarise myself with this.. one wonders did he ever leave anything that today can be tested for DNA. With such amazing advances and how they nailed the EAR aka originally night stalker they (the authorities) don’t even need the suspects own DNA to get results. Hope one day we know for sure.
@William Cecil: Had he been caught he obviously wouldn’t hold the fascination he does today especially give the low number of victims attributed to him in relation to those serial killers who came after him. I think the movie established him in the modern public’s mind. He’d been pretty much forgotten before then. The ones I find horribly fascinating are Edmund Kemper, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy all of whom had very high I.Q.’s but most definitely had something awry personality wise and were driven by a compulsion to rape and kill. Ted Kaczynski had an even higher I.Q. but was driven by a different compulsion. These are just the ones that get the most publicity. There have been many with even more gruesome crimes to their name before and since those mentioned.
@William Tallon: Kaczynski was prone to telling porkies about his exploits
@William Tallon: lol and after all the resources put into tracking the unibomber it was his brother who figured out it was ted.
I find those with exceptionally high IQ have very low EQ and lack social skills. But very interesting how it manifests Ted Bundy had charm but no empathy, most people are balanced but when you have have high something you lose other traits
@William Cecil: I think they got at least a partial profile from saliva on the back of postage stamps used to mail his letters. But they didn’t go very far with it. It’s more than 50 years after all…
That is of course assumes it’s him who mailed the letters…
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