Programme announced for

MusicTown 2022

which will see audiences once again enjoy extraordinary musical experiences live in person

as we celebrate being Together Again

Fri May 6^th – Sun May 15^th

^{artwork by Ruth Graham}

Booking opens this Friday 8^th April – 10am

Today, details of the programme for MusicTown 2022 were announced, which this year celebrates the theme of being ‘Together Again’. An eclectic 2-week musical celebration, running from 6^th – 15^th May, artists from across the musical spectrum will once again gather in person in Dublin to collaborate and create unforgettable musical moments. Brought to you by Dublin City Council, Foggy Notions and Aiken Promotions,  the programme covers an array of musical styles and genres. Setting out to explore and celebrate the diverse constellation of music cultures that exist in Dublin City, MusicTown aims to unify the city, making its music relatable and accessible, instilling a sense of pride in Dublin’s musical heritage, whilst welcoming newcomers and visiting artists.

Speaking today Festival programmer Leagues O’Toole said, “Two years later Dublin has gradually come back to life. We’ve ventured out of our homes to convene at clubs and parks and churches and venues to experience live music again. And now we do it with even more appreciation and gratitude than ever before because music was one of the things that got us through lockdowns, kept us sane, accompanied us on our walks, helped us sleep at night and get out of bed in the morning. Now we can properly thank songwriters and musicians and celebrate the vital role they encompass. MusicTown is simply a snapshot of every day cultural Dublin in all its glorious diversity.”

The programme boasts an eclectic mix of musical styles and experiences including;  a series of pop-up performances exploring Irish traditional song in the modern cityscape curated by Macdara Yeates; an evening of original music from the western edge of Ireland exploring new ways to support a sustainable culture of independent music making in the region; Music Together Band’s first live performance back in front of an in person audience; a preview of tracks from Kormac’s upcoming album and work over the past 3 years; Jazzabelles the all-female lead Jazz Sextet performing the best music of the swing era; a live Urban music event with its roots in Carnival Street Party; from Word Up Collective a one off performance bringing together different music styles for specially arranged reworkings of the sound of young Ireland; a fun, family-friendly event of storytelling and music-making;  through an exploration of coffee and live performance by Crash Ensemble be part of a radical new study into the reported effect of music on taste with Imbibe coffee; explore the meeting of violin and tape in a site specific sound performance/installation; a 14s+ event from Nialler9 & Seven Quarters featuring live performances from artists in Ireland across the musical spectrum; an exploration of practise and disciplines in music & literature; a musical afternoon of diverse musician with roots in traditional Irish music hosted by harpist Brídín and an Indonesian percussion concert and music workshop from the NCH Gamelan Orchestra and more! 

The full programme and booking details can be found at musictown.ie

Booking for ticketed and free events opens Friday 8^th April at 10am.

MusicTown 2022 will open on Friday 6^th May and events / performances to look forward to include:

Macdara Yeates presents THE MEGAPHONE PROJECT

Curated by renowned traditional singer Macdara Yeates The Megaphone Project is a pop-up performance series exploring Irish traditional song in the modern cityscape taking inspiration from the archival recordings of street singer John Martin, who travelled Ireland in the 1950s selling ballad sheets using a large megaphone. Bringing together a diverse range of singers, it aims to recreate the performances of John Martin by pitching a pop-up megaphone and soap box at outdoor markets in Dublin for 30-minute performances, reintroducing the historical practice of traditional singing to the modern streetscape. 6^th-15^th May, free, various locations in Dublin City

JAZZABELLES @ THE BELLO

Jazzabelles, the all-female lead Jazz Sextet will swoop into The BelloBar to perform the best music of the swing era along their arrangements of modern jazz standards in an intimate and relaxed lounge setting. 6^th May, 8pm, tickets €11 + booking fee via Eventbrite.

Not Bad & Block T present GOING COASTAL

Not Bad aims to promote original music from the western edge of Ireland and develop new ways of supporting a sustainable culture of independent music making in the region – includes performances from T.A. Narrative (Limerick), Oh Boland (Galway) and Lunch Machine (Donegal). 7^th May, 8pm, Block T, Bow Lane West,  tickets notbad.ie/tickets

Music Together present BE DELIGHTED – REUNITED!

Over the last two years the Music Together Band has established a regular line-up of musicians with all abilities.  This will be their first live performance again, with a selection of instruments designed and adapted for each individual player and will feature new original tunes around “TOGETHER AGAIN”. Featuring guest artists Alison O’Donnell and Dom McDonald. 11^th May, 2pm. The Atrium Trinity College Dublin

Selective Memory presents KORMAC: ‘Always the Sound’

For this brand-new show, his first since pre-covid, Kormac will be performing a selection of work from the last three years, previewing tracks from his forthcoming new album, cues from his recent TV and film scores and recent collaborative pieces using a custom-designed modular synthesis rig. The pieces will be performed alongside a string section led by acclaimed composer, conductor and arranger, Ken Rice.   11^thMay 8pm Pepper Canister Church.

CreateSound present BLOCO ÁTHA CLIATH (@ THE SUGAR CLUB)

Bloco Atha Cliath is a live Urban music event with its roots in the South American tradition of the ‘Bloco’ or Carnival Street Party. Celebrating the diversity of the burgeoning Urban music scene in Ireland right now, the event features 100% original and home-grown music from Galway and Dublin. With vocalists, MC’s, DJ’s, and dancers Bloco Atha Cliath will bring a bit of that passionate South American ‘Bloco’ energy combined with Ireland’s next generation vibrancy. With performances from: Smilez, Curiosity Music Group, Flaco Dior, Yomi Attention, Clan Music Worldwide and Go Dance For Change. 12^th May, 8pm, Sugar Club.

Word Up Collective presents GANG GOSPEL

The divine meets the sublime in an event created for Music Town 2022, bringing together hip-hop (Ahmed, With Love), alt pop (Bobbi Arlo), RnB (Daire Patel, Negro Impacto) and jazz influenced torch song (Tadhg) with the acclaimed Discovery Choir for specially arranged reworkings of the sound of young Ireland. The gospel according to the new generation. 13^th May, 7.30pm, Opium.

Duo Anima presents FAIRYTALE PICTURES

Join Aileen Cahill and Andreea Banciu for a fun, family-friendly event of storytelling and music-making. Stories such as Rapunzel and The Robber Bridegroom by the Brothers Grimm will be interspersed with Schumann’s beautiful music for viola and piano. Suitable for all ages. 14 May, Dublin Central Library Ilac Centre (11am) and Walkinstown Library (3pm)

Larissa O’Grady Music presents LARISSA O’GRADY: VIOLIN AT TEMPLE BAR GALLERY

The audience are invited to explore the physical space while experiencing a 30 minute sound performance/installation featuring a pre-recorded solo violinist of new contemporary works for violin and tape including work by David Lang, Linda Buckley, Kaija Saariaho, Missy Mazzoli, Andrew Norman, and Sam Perkin’s new commission for violin and audio. 14^th May, Temple Bar Gallery 2pm / 3.30pm.

ChoiceCuts present BACK TOGETHER: THE BRICKNASTY SESSIONS with KAKIKID, DECARTERET,  F3Miii, TOMIKE, and JARJARJR

Bricknasty only started creating music in January 2020 but have already made a significant dent in the Irish music scene. Join us as Bricknasty return to their home away from home The Sugar Club performing  all night long and featuring some of their extended family and friends.

The one and only KHkakikid, up and coming soul songstress DeCarteret, Dublin-based producer/vocalist F3miii known for his melodic voice and vibrant chords, the incredibly talented Tomike and up for the journey is also none other than JarJarJr. More guests to be added so join us for Dublin’s finest up and coming collective on showcase. 14th May, Sugar Club, 9pm – late.

Nialler9 and Seven Quarters present DUBLIN IS SOUND

Experience this 14s+ event from Nialler9 & Seven Quarters featuring live performances by Dublin R&B artist Gemma Dunleavy, Electronic pop artist Soulé, Singer / songwriter Junior Brother and post punk rockers Extravision. 15^th May, 1pm, Lost Lane. Advance ticket buyers will receive a limited edition 12″ vinyl record on the day featuring tracks from the acts.

Cara Spelman, Eva Griffin, Jess McKinney & Zoe Yohn present ALL LINES MEET 

A meeting between music & literature, with short readings across disciplines and genres punctuated by special musical performances. Audience members and performers alike will be invited to approach this event with a child-like sense of play for exploration, collaboration and cross-pollination between practices and disciplines. With readings from Niamh Campbell, James Moran, Jess Raymon, Rosamund Taylor and Sophie Furlong Tighe and musical performances from Ellie O’Neill, Eve Clague and Let’s Set Sail. 15^th May, 11am, The Sugar Club.

Hen’s Teeth Hi Fi Presents BRÍDÍN & SPECIAL GUESTS

Contemporary harpist Brídín hosts an afternoon of performances from a diverse range of Irish and international musicians with roots in traditional Irish music. 15 May, 6pm, Hen’s Teeth, Blackpitts.

Glasshouse present GLASSHOUSE PERFORM KATE BUSH & PRINCE

Festival favourites Glasshouse present their sensational arrangement of Kate Bush and Prince. Enjoy their pioneering music reimagined for Glasshouse’s signature sound. 15th May, 7.30pm, The Grand Social.

NCH GAMELAN ORCHESTRA – INDONESIAN PERCUSSION CONCERT AND MUSIC WORKSHOP.

This Indonesian percussion ensemble began in 2013 when Dr. Peter Moran taught Dublin’s first gamelan classes in UCD, since then they have performed at festivals across Ireland and Indonesia, including the Electric Picnic and to an outdoor arena audience of 1,500 at the 2018 International Gamelan Festival in Java. They will perform the traditional music of Java alongside modern compositions, presenting a selection of music from Indonesia and will offer audience members of all ages the opportunity to play these beautiful instruments for themselves. Pop up Gamelan – keep an eye out for gongs appearing in a public space near you. 15 May, 2pm

Crash Ensemble & Imbibe Coffee Roastery present TASTE & LISTEN WITH CRASH & IMBIBE COFFEE ROASTERY

A rare chance to experience a private tour of Imbibe coffee roastery in Dublin 8 and an intimate listening event with Ireland’s leading contemporary music group, Crash Ensemble who will perform new music by Irish composers, from the [REACTIONS] series Over the course of a morning, we will experience flavours, tastes, and sounds to invigorate, challenge, and appreciate. The audience are invited to hear extended techniques in contemporary music through this workshop and to take part in a radical new study into the reported effect of music on taste. 15^th May, 11am & 1pm, Imbibe Coffee Roastery, The Millennium Centre, Dolphin’s Barn.

For more see musictown.ie

@musictowndublin 

  musictowndublin