Galway audiences will be hopping on the ‘National Express’ or taking a ride on ‘My Lovely Horse’, in order to enjoy a game of cricket and a dance at the indie disco, in the company of The Divine Comedy in Galway this summer.
The Divine Comedy (aka Co Fermanagh vocalist and songwriter Neil Hannon ) is coming to play the Galway Arts Festival in July, as are Rodrigo Y Gabriela, and Brad Mehldau, for a series of concerts that promise sounds that will be divine, Latin, and jazz.
Neil Hannon’s mix of musical hall and sixties style pop, together with his literate and witty lyrics, has carved out a unique space for himself in Irish pop and rock since the early 1990s. Along the way he has penned the theme tune to Father Ted, enjoyed hit singles like ‘National Express’, and released many excellent and imaginative albums such as Promenade (1994 ), Casanova (1996 ), and the Choice Prize winning Victory For The Comic Muse.
A passionate, obsessive, fan of cricket, Neil joined forces with Dublin songwriter and fellow cricket fan Thomas Walsh, to form The Duckworth-Lewis Method project last year. They released a marvellous, eponymously titled, album all based around the sport.
Recently Neil released the 10th Divine Comedy album, Bang Goes The Knighthood, where he takes a wry and cynical look at banks, fashion trends, and society in general. Expect to hear songs from this album, as well as plenty of the old favourites, at Neil’s solo show in the Radisson Live Lounge on Thursday July 15 at 8.30pm.
Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela will bring their mesmerising blend of classical, flamenco, Latin, and heavy metal to the Galway Arts Festival Big Top on Tuesday July 20 at 7pm for their only Irish date of this summer’s European tour.
On the night they will perform music from their new album 11:11, in which they pay homage to the music of Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd, Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, and Astor Piazzolla.
Brad Mehldau is one of the most exciting musicians working in jazz today, both as a solo performer and with his trio. He will perform at the Radisson Live Lounge on Monday July 12 at 8.30pm.
Whether playing original compositions, covering jazz standards, or offering his unique perspective on the music of Nick Drake, Radiohead, The Beatles, and Neil Young, Mehldau is at the cutting edge of modern jazz.
Mehldau has worked with a number of great jazz musicians including Wayne Shorter, Charlie Haden, and Pat Metheny. He has written for and worked with the acclaimed classical soprano, Renee Fleming and his most recent album Highway Rider has been universally praised.
Tickets for Rodrigo Y Gabriela are available from www.galway artsfestival.com and ticketmaster.ie Tickets for The Divine Comedy and Brad Mehldau are available from www.galwayartsfestival.com
