Cruel Sister, Affection to Rent, Vernon Jane, Red Sun Alert and Galway's own Shark School are all playing a night for the girls, non-binary kids and queers who have been told they don’t belong in a band. This is for the people who’ve been sidelined when all they want to do is join the mosh pit.
“Shark School presents Femme Fest is a collection of the most badass, rockin, female-fronted bands in the country right now. This is a girly takeover of the Róisín Dubh for all to come and enjoy. This ones for all you rebel grrrls,” Shark School say of the night.
Nora Staunton (guitar, vocals ), Peggy Ford (bass ) and Cathal Curran (drums ) formed Shark School in June of 2023 and have quickly made a name for themselves, playing with celebrated Irish acts, including NewDad, The Love Buzz, Elaine Malone and more. The group has played Whelan's Ones to Watch and the Fall Right Into Place festival, as well as touring all over Ireland. They are known for energetic sets, punctuated by sarcastic wit.
Cruel Sister is the project of Dublin-based songwriter and producer Faith Nico. Described by Nialler9 as “bedroom shoegaze,” Cruel Sister’s sound, taking influence from Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, and PJ Harvey, spans from dreamy indie rock soaked in reverb to the screeching distorted guitars and screaming vocals heard on her sophomore EP Turgid. One year old, five-piece Affection to Rent’s unique brand of grunge fuses dark winding vocal melodies with a warm wash of nostalgia. Recently the band was long-listed for the Glastonbury emerging talent competition, and described as “a breath of fresh air” by Under the Radar magazine. Jazz punk band Vernon Jane have long been an outspoken feminist force in the Irish music scene. Their sophomore album Chestpains and Sidepieces was released last year.
Red Sun Alert is an up-and-coming post-hardcore band from Cork city. The four-piece combines harsh vocals with angular guitar riffs and math-rock influences.
Tickets €10 at www.roisindubh.net
