Once the festivities and revelry of Christmas and New Year’s night is over, the country will face into a winter of discontent as the recession truly reveals itself over January.
While economically it will be a time of tightness and little, musically it will be a time of riches and plenty with many first rate acts coming to play the city to provide much needed happiness, entertainment, and stimulation for mind, body, and soul.
For the details of who, when, and where, read on.
Róisín Dubh
The Róisín Dubh has become the Mecca of all things indie, alternative, upcoming, classic, and seriously hip in music, and that high quality control will continue in 2009.
On January 8, Galway based Riot Grrl/alternative rock band Blasterbra, led by Anna McCarthy, play Strange Brew. The following night, the flamboyant Cuckoo Savante will launch their debut album. The highly promising Irish band, One Day International, also play Strange Brew on January 15. Greg Dulli & Mark Lanegan’s show on January 17 is almost sold out so get your tickets now!
A true legend of American folk, the great Arlo Guthrie, makes a welcome return to Galway on January 20 as part of his Solo Reunion Tour. Expect great music, hilarious stories, wise reflections, and a truly warm, family atmosphere.
Another gig to look forward to is Max Tundra supported by Uzi & Ari on January 22. Max Tundra (real name Ben Jacobs ) makes esoteric music that draws on prog rock, abstract electronica, indie bubblegum, mainstream pop, r’n’b, Art of Noise, Frank Zappa, Nik Kershaw, Mercury Rev, and Prince! On the other hand, he doesn't actually sound like any of them in particular as he constantly strives to create something drastically different even from his own previous work. Not to be missed!
Paddy Casey is back on January 23 and on January 24 Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone of The Zombies will play classic tracks from The Zombies’ 1968 masterpiece Odessey And Oracle and solo hits. Their last show in the Róisín was truly wonderful and no music fan should miss them on their return.
The brilliant Galway guitarist and songwriter Albert Niland is back on January 25 while Amusement Parks On Fire play on January 30.
One of the highlights of early 2009 - and maybe of the year - will be the gig from Crystal Antlers on February 1. Long Beach, California’s, Crystal Antlers have been tearing it up all over the place with their mix of soul-tinged, psych-rattled, blues.
The band - Jonny Bell (bass, vocals, woodwinds ), Andrew King (guitar, organ ), Victor Rodriguez (organ ), Kevin Stuart (drums ), and Damian Edwards (percussion ) - turned heads in 2008 with their debut EP, produced by Ikey Owens (Mars Volta ) and noted for its blend of psychedelic, garage rock, and prog rock sounds. As the NME said, “If you hear anything more exciting this year, you’re lying.”
Other gigs to look forward to are Ray LaMontagne (The Black Box ) on February 4; The Datsuns on February 5, and Irish post-rockers God Is An Astronaut on February 6.
Town Hall
Music is always a key part of the Town Hall’s programme and as ever the city’s chief venue has some excellent concerts lined up for the New Year.
Mundy will play on February 9; Johnny Duhan will be on stage on February 19; Kíla on March 20; Smokie (in the black Box ) on March 21, and Liam Ó Maonlaí on March 25. The picks of the bunch though will be Eddie Reader and Pierre Bensusan.
Scottish singer Eddi Reader will play on February 23. Eddie first rose to prominence as the lead singer with Fairground Attraction, who enjoyed hits with ‘Perfect’ and ‘Bye My Love’ in the late 1980s. In 1992 she began her solo career with the album Mirmama and has since developed into an album artist, performer, and singer of great depth, power, and integrity. This has been witnessed again in recent times with Eddi Reader Sings The Songs Of Robert Burns (2003 ) and Peacetime (2007 ). Eddi is now working on material for a new album.
French-Algerian guitar genius Pierre Bensusan makes a welcome return to Galway to play the Town Hall on May 2.
Just say ‘Pierre Bensusan’ to any guitarist, guitar fan, or anyone seriously into music, and the response is one of awe, reverence, and enchanted bewilderment at the man’s unparalleled dexterity and creativity on acoustic guitar.
Pierre’s music, though highly complex, is defined by melody and accessibility. He is one of the most innovative guitarists there is, practically unrivalled by any acoustic (or maybe even electric ) player.
A documentary film on the life and music of Pierre Bensusan is currently being produced by award-winning filmmaker Roger Sherman.
The Crane
The Crane is Galway’s premiere venue for all things folk, roots, and trad and January will see many worthwhile shows at the Sea Road venue.
The gifted Cork singer-songwriter Niall Connolly will play on Thursday 8. The acclaimed Nashville producer and songwriter Jim Rooney will be joined by Arty McGlynn and Mick Daly for a night of country music on January 15.
On January 21 the Brock/Maguire Band - Paul Brock (fiddle ), Manus Maguire (fiddle ) and Enda Scahill (banjo ) - will perform a night of first class trad. Then the inspired guitarist Clive Barnes returns for another show at The Crane on January 22.
Stress!!
Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip have created a huge stir this year with their imaginative, challenging, pop/hip-hop. They rocked Stress!! when they played the night in May and will do so again when they return on February 4.
Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip are a two-piece pop/electro hip-hop band based either side of London, but originally hailing from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. Scroobius Pip - the name is an intentional misspelling of the Edward Lear poem The Scroobious Pip - delivers witty and shockingly spot-on decrees over Dan le Sac’s mesmeric beats.
Since 2007 the duo have been building a steady profile and generating much interest thanks to the singles ‘Thou Shalt Always Kill’, ‘Beat That My Heart Skipped’, and the Radiohead sampling ‘A Letter From God To Man’.
