Dear Reader –
Firstly thanks you so much for your support this year. All of this simply wouldn’t be possible without you. I wish you a happy and peaceful time over the coming days, good health and fortune in 2024 and here’s to lots of great music in the coming months.
The Big Thing
These were the biggest things this year - the five letters that interested you guys most…
We’ve hired someone (November)
The people who make things happen (January)
And the theme is… (April)
Stars under the stars (May)
Where else but Sligo?
It was in March when I first contacted Jamie in Lillies regarding the possibility of a gig upstairs in his venue. I had played there at Corcra’s Christmas party in 2022 and loved the atmosphere - it reminded me a bit of some of the first ever gigs I did in Sligo - upstairs in McGarrigle’s with Eddie Lee and Ken McDonald in 2007.
I ended up waiting till November to pull the trigger on it though - it was one of those situations where you think and hope that it will work but are a bit scared in case it doesn’t. As always, I’m glad we did it.
You guys know by now that I love putting together the Theme Nights - they are wonderful - but with this wonder comes structure and rules, without which the audience would be left hanging. The beauty of this new Unplugged series is that we can break the rules a bit. Play a bit looser. Try things out. Play with the structure a bit. And that’s an important part of our musical identity too.
One letter reader was there this week and kindly sent me an email which summed it up.
”Just wanted to say I really enjoyed Wednesday night at Lillies. While I love the theme nights at the Hawk’s Well, the smaller, more intimate venue really was special. Well done to all of you. You are a seriously talented bunch and a joy to watch performing. Would really love more of these nights”.
Safe to say that there will be more of these gigs in 2024 - stay tuned.
PS a special shoutout to the O’Reilly family. The Hawk’s Well are putting on a gorgeous-looking gig in January called Folk Families. Well if they ever decide to put on Rock Families they should look no further than Lorraine, Ciaran and Sean - Luke Devaney and I had the pleasure of sitting in with them after the upstairs gig on Thursday. What a band!
What’s New?
BEST NEW MUSIC OF 2023: Once again letter reader Des Power shared this playlist with me - some fantastic selections - have a listen - it’s a great way of discovering new music.
CHRISTMAS CHEER: I love this - Second Captains meet The Mary Wallopers.
FAVOURITE THEME NIGHT PERFORMANCE THIS YEAR: It wasn’t just me. You guys LOVED this every night of October’s Theme Night #32…thanks Sinéad for moving us.
Finally…
Here’s another great Theme Night memory from earlier this year…enjoy the turkey sandwiches!
Till next time - Kieran.
