Dear Reader - What a beautiful week. From start to finish…
These guys (Clada) brought incredible energy to our first two shows last week. We had a magic couple of hours with them on Thursday afternoon recording this…
The Big Thing
This piece got a big reaction last week. At the shows and judging from your emails since. Many of you asked where you could hear it again so I attach a video below of Niamh and I playing it in 2021.
And a reminder - if you have any ideas regarding a video we want to make for it - please send an email to themenightshq@gmail.com
Where else but Sligo?
I posted a reflection on Theme Night #36 on Facebook and Instagram yesterday.
I’ll repost the text below, although please click on the links if you want to see some photos. It was so good to see so many of you there - and I really felt the support - so thank you all.
Theme Night #36 flew past in a blaze of surprises, humour and great performances.
It felt like musicians and audiences alike knew it was the only such show this year and were determined to give even more than usual as a result.
It was an emotional week. Joyful and nostalgic in equal measure.
The best yet lots of you said.
And contrary to what some people thought - I’m not retiring!
I was however more nervous than usual beforehand - there was more of me on display I guess. Song choices, some of my own compositions and some personal dedications. But that made the payoff greater - thank you to everyone for your support on this.
And so now we take a pause to figure out what comes next.
And while I’m looking forward to that, there will still be lots happening - so keep an eye on these pages.
What’s New?
BOOKS: I have been bought a few books as presents recently - and finally got to start one last night. Here are the titles - and I’ll let you know over the coming weeks if I have any strong recommendations.
- Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
- what art does by Brian Eno and Bette Adriaanse
- Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan
- The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan HolidayMASTERCLASS #5 - PARTS AND CHARTS: As part of our Theme Night Academy programme - with Niamh Crowley and I. The focus this time is on arranging - and it takes place this evening.
FIRST DUBLIN CONCERT: We had a lovely evening in Clontarf GAA Club on Monday last. Lots of new students getting to perform for the first time in a supportive and friendly environment. And we had cake!
Finally…
One of my favourite pieces of music, and I have just been informed that Paul McCartney closed with it at a surprise New York gig last night.
It was Joe Hunt’s choice initially - and what a choice!
We did from Golden Slumbers (10:45) to The End…
Till next time - Kieran.
