One of the country’s finest musicians will make a welcome return to the Kilkenny stage next Tuesday night.
Following her roof-lifting New Year’s gig at the Hub at Cilín Hill, box maestro Sharon Shannon will take to the smaller and more intimate stage at Kyteler’s Inn for what will be a very memorable acoustic show by the legendary performer.
Anybody else who had just completed an exhausting whirlwind nationwide Christmas tour might well be entitled to take a good long holiday, having taken to the stage almost every night during the festive season with her big band and special guests Shane MacGowan, Dessie O’Halloran and Mundy.
And unsurprisingly, even though the Clare woman travelled to Lanzarote in February, it wasn’t just to soak up the sun, but to play a number of packed gigs in the island’s famous Irish bar, Charlie’s.
Neither was it surprising that the accordionist, who has been a stalwart on the Irish music scene since 1991, collected the lifetime achievement award at the Meteor Awards earlier this month. And rather than sit and admire her awards cabinet, the triple platinum- selling artist is setting off around the country again this month for ten more gigs as part of her acoustic live tour 2009, stopping in Kilkenny along the way for the two-and-a-half hour gig.
Accompanying Sharon for a toe-tapping, and rigorous hand clapping session will be renowned musicians Gerry ‘banjo’ O’Connor, fiddle great Dezi Donnelly, flute player Mike McGoldrick and Tim Edey on guitar.
Renowned for her collaborations, not just in Irish traditional music, but through all musical genres, hip-hop, cajun, country, classical and rap Sharon has recorded and toured with the who's who of the Irish and global music industry.
Artists featuring on the impressive list include Bono, Adam Clayton, Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne, John Prine, Mark Knopfler, The Waterboys, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy and Alisson Krauss; a list that is testament to Sharon's versatility as well as talent.
More recently her acclaimed collaboration with Birr native Mundy on the Steve Earle penned song ‘Galway Girl’ occupied the top five of the Irish music charts for over three months helping to establish the song as a firm favourite on dj lists around the country.
Prior to her Christmas tour Sharon completed a sell-out tour of the UK and played at the UK’s most popular music festival, Glastonbury last summer. A prolific composer, Sharon is currently writing an album of traditional tunes for full concert orchestra arrangement as well as working on a new album with guest singers to be released later this year.
No doubt, Sharon has a busy itinerary for the year ahead but for your chance to see her perform a magical acoustic set, get your tickets now for next Tuesday’s gig in Kyteler’s Inn on Kieran Street. Tickets cost €22.50 including booking fee and are on sale at Rollercoaster Records or at the door on the night. Doors open at 8.30pm.
