SOME of Galway's best comedians, singer-songwriters, electro bands, and DJs will share the stage with headline acts at this summer's Galway International Arts Festival.
Kicking off the festival, music wise, is the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra (Monday July 17, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ), with support from the Irish Comedian Of The Year 2016 Steve Bennett. He is also Róisín Dubh Comedy Clubh MC and a singer of witty ditties, while accompanying himself on the ukulele.
Lisa Hannigan's gig at the Róisín on July 18 is sold out, but those going will also see the magnificent Tracy Bruen play support. The Galway Advertiser Solo Artist of The Year 2015, she last week released her debut album, Mirrors, a spellbinding blend of indie, folk, prog, country, and roots, topped off by her powerful, and varied, vocal abilities.
Overhead, The Albatross (July 20, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ) will be supported by Galway electro trio and Grounds For Invasion - Tracy Friel (vocals ), Will O’Connor (production/guitar ), Dave Shaugnessy (drums ) - who have won glowing reviews from Hot Press, The Irish Times, The Thin Air, and An Áit Eile.
New Orleans jazz, funk, and soul ensemble The Soul Rebels (July 22, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ) will be supported by Shuffle! the northern soul, funk, blues, r'n'b, ska, and reggae DJ night run by leading Galway DJ Dave Barry.
Fans of Galway folk-prog band My Fellow Sponges are in for a double treat as band member Anna Mullarkey plays a solo slot in support of Wallis Bird (July 24, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ) while the Sponges support the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys (July 26, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ).
Icelandic musician JFDR (July 30, 8.30pm, Róisín Dubh ) will be supported by electro singer-songwriter Elaine Mai, who this year released her latest EP, The Colour Of Night. DJ and producer Daithí has beeen announced as the support for the sold out Jenny Greene/RTÉ Concert Orchestra show at the Big Top on July 26. Páraic Breathnach will opener for comedian Deirdre O’Kane (Róisín Dubh, July 21 ).
For more information and booking see www.roisindubh.net and www.giaf.ie #GIAF17
