Tradfest 2017 boasts another impressive line-up
By Barry Lord
We may be in the grip of another cold January, but this year’s Tradfest has plenty on the menu to entice the live music lovers of Dublin out of the cosy confines of the living room.
The annual music festival kicks off on January 25 – January 29 in Temple Bar and venues throughout the area will host an array of musical talent; some familiar, some up and coming but all will be in town, giving it big licks and adding a bit of colour to the winter gloom.
With so many choices of bands and solo performers on the bill, it will be difficult to decide who is worth queuing up for this year, so Ireland Today will try and save you a few headaches by picking some of the most promising acts among the line-up for your consideration.
We hope it helps.
The legendary Fureys, best known for such hit songs as ‘I Will Love You’, ‘When You Were Sweet 16’ and ‘The Green Fields Of France’, will be attending this year’s Tradfest and audiences can be expect great craic if they get themselves along to either The Porterhouse on January 26 at 6 pm, Temple Bar on Fri 27 (also 6pm) or The Norseman on Sunday 29 at 4pm.
The band has been playing to enthusiastic crowds worldwide for 39 years, and can count Former Irish President Mary McAleese and the late Pope John Paul II as fans. If you want a group to put a song in your heart, look no further. Free entry for all three gigs.
Quite a coup this one. The Californian singer-songwriter (and former Dublin resident in the 90s) will be performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday 29 at 8pm.
Maria is best known for the 1990 single ‘ Show me Heaven’, taken from Tom Cruise’s race-driving drama, ‘Days of Thunder’. She also penned the single ‘A Good Heart’ about her relationship with keyboard player Benmont Tench, from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, turned into a number one hit in 1985 by Feargal Sharkey. She will be taking her own brand of folk-inflected pop-rock to Dublin audiences this year in what promises to be a special performance.
A true musical hybrid and an absolute one off. NOTIFY is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Cillian King, electric bassist Eoin Walsh, drummer Davie Ryan and piano & keyboardist Cormac McCarthy.
The band has combined their deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with a mastery of electronic sounds and created something special.
Not to be outdone, JIGGY have created their own unique brand of experimental and traditional beats, fusing lilting vocals with modern rhythms.
The band is also an internet sensation, with their track ‘King of the Fairies’ racking up over six million views on Facebook. Check them out on Thursday 26 at 8pm at St Michan’s Church.
Turin Brakes.
One of the best indie bands of the last decade, who have sold over a million records to date and will be pitching up at the Button Factory on Wednesday, January 25 at 8pm. Formed in Balham, South West London in 1999 by best pals Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian, Turin Brakes signed to French label Source in 2000 and within a year released their Mercury Music Prize nominated debut album The Optimist in 2001 followed by Ether Song in 2003 which featured the top 5 hit single Pain Killer (Summer Rain). Not to be missed.
Irish singer-songwriter Mundy made a hugely successful transition from street busking in Dublin to international stardom during the ’90s. Mundy’s forte is acoustic, folk-based pop-rock that is consistently upbeat and joyous. He has enjoyed multi-platinum success with ’24 Star Hotel’, while ‘Galway Girl’ remains one of the most downloaded Irish singles of all time.
After a five year hiatus, Paddy Casey returned to the public’s attention last year with ‘The Secret Life Of’, recorded and produced at home in Paddy’s kitchen. If you want to see two musical craftsmen at play, the Button Factory is where this is happening. Thursday 26 at 8pm.