Saturday, Jan 6
The Kilfenora Céilí Band
Glór, Ennis 8pm €25 glor.ie Also Sun, Ennis
Ireland’s oldest céilí band whups it up in style close to home, with these two sold-out concerts in Ennis. With cello and double bass helping to temper those higher registers, this is a dance band like no other, with flute, whistle, accordion, concertina, viola, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and percussion. If this doesn’t set your heart a flutter and your hips a swivelling, then some urgent medical intervention may be called for.
Tuesday, Jan 9
Niamh Parsons, Ciarán Tourish, Liam Kelly and John Doyle
The Sugar Club 7.30pm €20/€15 musicnetwork.ie Also Wed, Sligo; Thurs, Clifden; Fri, Birr.
Scions of the finest musical gatherings in recent decades (Arcady, Altan, Dervish and Solas), this foursome embark on a finely curated Music Network tour. Vocalist Niamh Parsons has carved a formidable reputation with her earthy, soulful ability to render old songs anew. Altan’s explosive fiddle player, Ciarán Tourish always brings a wealth of subtlety and a certain impish quality to his playing, while Dervish’s marvellous flute player, Liam Kelly, promises to add a soupçon of lyrical phrasing to the mix. That just leaves room for US-based Dublin guitarist and singer John Doyle to stir it up with some effervescent rhythms and songs of his own. Opening night of tour.
Wednesday, Jan 10
Sharon Shannon
The Dock, Carrick on Shannon 8.30pm €22.50 thedock.ie Also Thurs, Carrick on Shannon.
This Clare accordion player is a musical phenomenon who never seems to tire of the road, or the recording studio. Her stamina is gargantuan, and her musical appetites eclectic. This is the first of a two-night visit with Alan O’Connor, her regular collaborator, for company.
Friday Jan 12
First Light – Featuring Adrian Crowley and Nocturnes
Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo 8pm €15/€7.50 hawkswell.ie
A celebration of positive mental health through music and words featuring Choice Music Prize winner Adrian Crowley and ambient Irish-folk group, Nocturnes. A timely opportunity to delve into the very refined worlds of these musicians, as part of First Fortnight, a festival that challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action.
