THE GALWAY Arts Festival may be over for another year, but that does not mean great music is at an end in the city. The Róisín Dubh has, as always, an impressive line up of acts during August, September, and October.
Pierce Turner, one of Ireland’s greatest contemporary songwriters, whose fans include Philip Glass and Christy Moore, plays on Tuesday August 11. Friday 21 will see Big Bag Of Sticks and Queen Elvis take to the stage for an Amnesty International Fundraiser. On Saturday 22 it’s the Irish Pink Floyd, who never fail to put on a show that is powerful, highly entertaining, and worthy of the band to which they paying tribute. Declan O’Rourke rounds off August with a show on Saturday 29.
Fans of soul and r’n’b will be looking forward to Laura Izibor when she plays a ‘Róisín Dubh presents...’ show in The Radisson Live Room on Tuesday September 8. The Black-Irish singer is causing ripples of excitement at the moment and has the potential to become a real star.
However September will be dominated by US acts that combine indie-rock with US roots music. Blitzen Trapper are rising stars in the US with their impressive mix of folk, roots, and Americana, all shot through with an indie-rock sensibility. See them on Thursday 3. The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, whose uproarious take on American folk was one of the highlights of last year’s arts festival, return to Galway on Wednesday 23.
The highlight of September will be the great Okkervil River on Monday 7 - their only show in Ireland this year apart from Electric Picnic. Led by gifted songwriter Will Sheff, OR’s songs feature lyrics that combine literary and pop culture allusions, narratives, stream of conscience poetics, and a willingness to grapple with difficult issues, with music that is by turns moving, uplifting, melancholy, and joyous. Do not miss them.
Just announced this week is the fact that The Redneck Manifesto play the Róisín on September 12. Also not to be missed.
In October there will be shows from Tom McRae on Tuesday 13 and former Mazzy Starr singer Hope Sandoval, who will be joined by her band The Warm Inventions on Thursday 29.
Comedy wise, Laughter Lounge highlights will be Doug Stanhope on Saturday October 3 in The Radisson Live Room, Stewart Lee on Sunday 25 at the Town Hall Theatre, and Des Bishop in the Róisín on September 6, 8, and 9.
Tickets are available from the Róisín Dubh and Zhivago.
