Two brilliant acts, KETTAMA and Pavement, have been announced for the Heineken Big Top in July as part of the Galway Arts Festival.
Galway-born producer KETTAMA burst onto the house and electro scene in recent years, with the release of his 2018 EP Bucklyn Bridge, which featured the track B O D Y giving him a significant break. He released an EP titled G-TOWN 001 on his own label, G-TOWN RECORDS which he launched alongside his collaborator Shampain. Other EPs include Close Your Eyes and his latest 2023 release, G-TOWN 004. Having played in clubs and festivals in the US, China, Australia, Japan, mainland Europe and up and down the UK, KETTAMA returns to Galway in the Heineken Big Top for his first hometown gig since 2019.
Widely renowned as one of the most popular and influential bands to come out of the American underground in the last three decades, Pavement are Stephen Malkmus, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Mark Ibold, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West. The band released five era-defining albums – Slanted And Enchanted (1992 ), Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994 ), Wowee Zowee (1995 ), Brighten The Corners (1997 ) and Terror Twilight (1999 ) – before disbanding in 1999. Pavement’s 2022 reunion saw them headline Primavera Sound and perform sold-out multi-night runs in Los Angeles, New York, and London.
KETTAMA and Pavement will join Bell X1, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Kaiser Chiefs, who are all playing the Heineken Big Top in July. The full programme for Galway International Arts Festival 2023 will be announced in May.
Bell X1 make a welcome return to the Galway International Arts Festival stage on Friday July 28 for what is sure to be one of the best live gigs of the summer. One of the great Irish bands and firm crowd favourite who always deliver a great performance, audiences can expect to hear hits such as Rocky Took a Lover, The Great Defector, The End is Nigh and Flame amongst others.
Fat Freddy’s Drop are regarded as one of the great live acts. Combining techno, house, soul, dub, reggae, funk rhythm and blues, they have built a sizeable following of Fred heads both at home and internationally. With the Guardian newspaper describing them as a “funk machine” and a “must see live gig”, this is a night not to be missed by music fans. Fat Freddy’s Drop play the Heineken Big Top on Thursday July 20.
Kaiser Chiefs will take to the stage of the Heineken Big Top for a much anticipated performance on Thursday July 27. One of the UK’s best loved bands, with hits such as Ruby and I Predict a Riot, Kaiser Chiefs always deliver a great crowd pleasing live show.
Tickets for the Kaiser Chiefs, Bell X1, and Fat Freddy’s Drop are now on sale, while tickets for KETTAMA and Pavement go on sale at 10am this Friday, March 31 from giaf.ie and roisindubh.netGalway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland, its Drinks Partner Heineken, and Education Partner University of Galway.
