Two of Ireland’s finest singer-songwriters - James Vincent McMorrow and Lisa Hannigan - and one of the nation’s best loved bands - The Coronas - will play the Galway Arts Festival Big Top this summer.
The concerts will also see high profile support slots for two of Galway’s most promising and talented acts - Salthill’s white boy funk trio The Kanyu Tree and Mayo born, Galway based singer-songwriter Elaine Mai.
James Vincent McMorrow and Lisa Hannigan will play the Big Top on Thursday July 26, with support from Elaine Mai. Tickets are €33.50. The Coronas concert, with support from The Kanyu Tree and Bressie, takes place on Friday July 27. Tickets are €30.
James Vincent McMorrow’s debut album, Early In The Morning, released in February 2010, showcased his pure voice and folk/country tinged songwriting skills. Q magazine said his songs “sounds both fresh and as if they’ve been in your head forever”. His current single is a cover of Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’.
Lisa Hannigan has firmly established her self as one of the most creative and popular voices in Ireland. Her 2009 debut album See Sew earned both a Choice Music Prize and Mercury Prize nomination, but last year’s Passenger saw her songwriting and confidence come on in leaps and bounds. As State said: “Bigger and braver than its predecessor, and an advance of Hannigan’s talents in every way – a triumph.”
Double platinum selling act The Coronas released their third album Closer To You last November and have become the biggest-selling independent group in Ireland. They won the prestigious Meteor Best Album Award in 2010 beating fellow nominees U2 and Snow Patrol. The band were listed in the Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2011 by the New York Post and in 2011 completed a North American tour.
The Kanyu Tree’s star has been steadily rising since the release of their debut album, People Street last October. The album entered the Irish charts at number four and features hits like the infectious ‘Radio’, ‘Shelf Life’, and ‘Congratulations’.
Former guitarist with The Blizzards, and now solo artist, Bressie has released the solo album managed Colourblind Stereo and is also a judge on The Voice of Ireland.
Elaine Mai is a hugely talented singer who accompanies herself on electric guitar, creating effects and backing sounds through her use of a loop pedal. To hear her music go to http://elainemai. bandcamp.com/ and check out her debut EP Dots which will be released on April 5 on Strange Brew Rekkids.
Tickets for both shows go on sale tomorrow from www.galwayartsfestival.com and www.roisin dubh.net. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available for both shows (The Coronas is €27 and James Vincent McMorrow/Lisa Hannigan is €30 ) through www. galwayartsfestival.com
