Young friends and old married couples...

Dear Reader –

It’s all about the Circle of Life in today’s letter…

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I know there has been a lot of Theme Night news here recently, so here is something different for you today…

Fergus Flynn and John McPartland (also known as Flynner and John Mac) are two good football buddies of mine who live in Strandhill.

Flynner’s daughter is the same age as mine. They play football together and so I asked him to help me out in coaching their U-12 team this year. So every time there is a game Flynner and I get to stand on the sideline and enjoy the match together.

John Mac’s son is the same age as mine. They play football together too and while I’m still working on John Mac to get involved with the U-9 coaching team (!), last Sunday we also stood on the sideline and enjoyed the match together.

And I just love the way that this has come to pass.

Where else but Sligo?

“Dad is he a bit crazy"?”

So asked my aforementioned 7-yr old (who took the below picture) about Seamie McManus when we met him for a chat in Ocean FM studios recently. And there was only one answer I could give.

Because Seamie is his own man. A brilliant personality. Full of energy, ideas, enthusiasm. Loves his music and loves doing anything he can to support local artists.

And he has been so supportive to me over the years. Consistently playing tracks from last year’s Theme Night Album. And this week he is chatting to different Theme Night performers live in the studio each evening at 6.15 on his Ocean Drive show - and he has two tickets to the show to give away each night.

Tune in if you can - his craziness is infectious! In the best way possible.

What’s New?

1. A NEW UKRAINIAN FRIEND: My wife has been working with some of the newly-arrived Ukrainian visitors to Sligo. I asked her to see if any of them sang as I thought it would be great if one of them could perform with us at next week’s show. She found Luda, a professional singer who now has her first gig in Ireland. She is going to perform a Ukrainian song of freedom with us and so our choir are busy learning their Ukrainian lyrics!

2. THE ANNIVERSARY DANCE: A short and beautiful blog about U2, the Rolling Stones and an old married couple.

3. REBEL SONGS? "So if Freedom is the theme, will you be doing any rebel songs"? Here’s your answer…

Finally…

Here’s what happened when the Broadway cast of the Lion King gathered for their first post-lockdown rehearsal…

Till next time - Kieran.

Who is on the show???

Dear Reader –

I’m not sure I have ever done this before, but I am DYING to tell you more about how great the upcoming Theme Night #29 is going to be. So today’s letter exclusively reveals 10 of our performers and (whisper it) the names of two of the songs!

All hyperlinks in bold.

“Are you doing this show Joe? Cos I am!”

The Big Thing

Just over two weeks to go, so Theme Night #29 is the only show in town these days.

The set is lined up and ready to go and rehearsals are in full swing. As promised, the names of two of the songs are revealed in the What’s New section below but I am really excited about some of the guests that will be performing this time.

There are crowd-favourites who haven’t been able to do one in a while such as Joe Hunt, Sarah Crummy (Thurs/Sat only) and Robert Cullen.

The internationally renowned Niamh Farrell will be here on the Friday for her first ever live theme night.

Current 6th Yrs and Teenage Theme Night stars Ryan Scanlon, Nathan McLoughlin, Senna O’Hara, Freya Brennan and Grooveline will be featuring over the run too.

And while I can’t confirm what nights this man will be performing just yet, I am very hopeful that a very special guest with the initials GG (and it’s not Gerry Grennan!) will make his long-awaited Theme Night return this time.

There are still a small number of tickets available for each night here.

Where else but Sligo?

Last Friday in The Model was so good, as anyone who was there will know.
10 teenage bands/artists showcasing their original music for a hugely supportive audience.
It was our first time running this show in 6 years, which meant it was a risk. But it worked, thanks to Rosha our emcee, Joy behind the scenes and everyone who came to support the show.
I hope to make it a regular event on the teenage music calendar and the fact that this one went so well will make that easier.

A special shout-out to our songwriters/performers - without these guys the show simply wouldn’t have happened. It’s no joke writing a song, let alone getting up and performing it in front of your peers. So thanks to everyone listed below for playing your songs for us. I really hope this isn’t the last time we hear them.

Cara Carleton, Erin Magee, Grooveline, Orla Devlin, Paro, Pro Murray, Ryan Scanlon and Senna O’Hara.

To Leah Davidson (pictured below) - well done on writing a beautiful song, on your arrangement and your performance. We can’t wait to work with you on your upcoming studio recording and music video.

Next up is Teenage Theme Night #26 - Film Music - on May 14&15 - and work starts on that today!

What’s New?

1. EMILY MEADES: Thanks for all your votes last week. And despite a big push on Instagram for Dreams, Facebook and email votes secured a narrow victory for A Change is Gonna Come. So Emily will perform this Sam Cooke number and her celebrated version of Boys of Summer at the show on Thursday night 5th May. See last week’s letter if you are lost!

2. THEME NIGHT #29 COMPETITIONS: Last chance to enter The Embassy Steakhouse competition here. And next week, each evening on Ocean FM Seamie Mac will be giving away two tickets to the show on his Ocean Drive slot. So tune in!

3. FREEDOM VIDEO: We asked some of the stars of the upcoming Theme Night what Freedom meant to them…

Finally…

Our setlist is so amazing (!) that we couldn’t find room for this great Freedom song. So enjoy it today…

Till next time - Kieran.

Pick a song for Emily...

Dear Reader –

Here’s the WhatsApp conversation that inspired this week’s Big Thing.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Just over three weeks to go until Theme Night #29, and on the Thursday night ONLY, we are going to have Emily Meades back on the Hawk’s Well stage for the first time in ages. She couldn’t make Theme Night #28 last Christmas, which meant we didn’t get the chance to perform her contribution to last year’s Theme Night Album - Boys of Summer.

So to make up for lost time, on Thursday 5th May at Theme Night #29 Emily is going to perform two songs - the aforementioned Boys of Summer, plus one of the three songs referenced above.

And YOU get to choose - have a listen first if you want.

Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)

Independence Day (Martina McBride)

A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)

To vote, just leave a comment below with the name of the song of your choice.

And don’t let luck come into it - get your tickets for the Thursday to see Emily today. Available here.

Where else but Sligo?

Regular readers will know of my fondness for Monday nights in Sligo, but last night was on another level, and worth a few words here.

My wife and I headed to the Hawk’s Well to see The Producers, presented by Pop-Up Theatre. The show had been getting rave reviews all week, so we were really looking forward to it. The theatre was buzzing with the noise of a sell-out crowd, and the first person we spotted was Teenage Theme Night graduate Nils Kavanagh (pictured below), whom Sinéad then informed me had been crowned Young Irish Jazz Musician of the Year the previous night in Limerick. Amazing!

There were friendly faces everywhere. I ended up sitting beside my old classmate and Theme Night regular Annette Rafter, at the interval I had a great chat with entertainment legend Scruffy Duffy about trying to hang on to some lockdown lessons learned, and I even managed to nab Jayne Feehily to do an on-stage job or two for the next theme night.

Then it was quickly down to Connolly’s for our Monday night session. Seamie and Gerry had been holding the fort and no better men than the two lads to help you settle in quickly to a gig. But it was when Cathal Roche arrived that things really took off. He had been playing in the pit for The Producers, and his playing reminded me of the feeling I have every December when I come into Connolly’s from the panto. Your fingers and your mind have been sharpened nicely, but there is also a sense of liberation and giddiness from not playing the same music as has been in front of you for the last few nights.

Cathal played gloriously and lifted the energy for punters and the band alike.

A word on the show. It was another triumph for Karen Gordon and her team. Her shows always inspire me and this was no different. I loved Robbie Fitzpatrick and my old thespian colleague Éanna O’Donnell in the two lead roles, and Niamh Crowley calmly led what seemed like the biggest band I have ever seen in the pit in the Hawk’s Well through a challenging score. Leo Tarrant and Sam Purcell were two especially bright stars in a sea of young talent.

Finally, Annette asked me at the end of the Connolly’s gig - who are all these people out on a Monday night?

The smart people - that’s who!

What’s New?

1. CLAIRE BYRNE: George Hamilton told the story of our now famous rendition of Piano Man on the Claire Byrne show last week.

2. THEME NIGHT #29 COMPETITION: A great prize on offer from the Embassy Steakhouse this week. A pre-show dinner for 2 and 2 tickets to Theme Night #29 on a night of your choice. PLUS a signed copy of the limited edition vinyl version of How Can I Keep from Singing. More details here.

3. YOUNG SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE: This Friday in The Model. A host of local teenage musical talent showcasing their original music. Tickets available here or on the door on the night.

Finally…

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know which song you’d like to hear Emily sing at Theme Night #29. Here is her performance from our Vicar St show in 2019.

Till next time - Kieran.

Songwriting, groaning, swinging and roaring...

Dear Reader –

Young songwriters and old(er) crooners - all in today’s letter!

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

In a nice coincidence, last week I heard from Maria Carbonell (below, right) asking me to participate in her final year project. Maria is in BIMM Dublin and about to finish her degree there. And then a few days later I spotted on social media that Étáin (below, left) is releasing new music on April 22nd.

Maria won the inaugural Young Songwriters Award in 2015 and Étáin succeeded her in 2016. It was lovely to hear that music is still playing a large role in the lives of these two young ladies.

It hasn’t been possible to run this event for the last few years but now, the 3rd Young Songwriters Showcase will take place in The Model on Good Friday 15th April.

We have a great line-up of teenage musicians ready to show off their original material.

AND a special guest performer (see What’s New section below). Tickets available here.

Where else but Sligo?

A big week for Sligo as our third-level institution formerly known as IT Sligo attained university status. It is now called the Atlantic Technological University and this news was a big boost to our region. Congratulations to all involved.

Thanks to The Old Market St. Swing Band (pictured below) who asked me to play with them at the celebration day on Sunday and also at the more formal event on Monday. It was great fun as always - one highlight being staff and students alike dancing in the corridors while their bemused counterparts stood in the lunch queue beside them.

What’s New?

1. PADDY KEYES: I still remember Paddy’s final Teenage Theme Night performance in 2019, and emcee Julie Gaine announcing to the packed theatre afterwards that he had made Niamh Crowley cry in the wings.

   I’m not sure will he ever surpass that musical achievement to be honest, but he’s doing his best (!), and released a great debut single last week called Tomorrow. Next week’s Young Songwriter’s Showcase (see above) will feature an exclusive performance of this song by Paddy himself.

2. THE GROAN ZONE: I heard this phrase last week and loved it. It refers to where we go when we have to do the things that make us groan. The things we don’t want to do but know have to be done and may even be good for us. Thanks to Pete and Jen for introducing it to me.

3. JOHNNY GALLAGHER AND THE BOXTY BAND: This week in 2021 we recorded a batch of In The Lamplight episodes in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Including live performances from a number of artists and bands. It would be hard to beat this one for energy however. Check out the below video, especially 18:05 where you can see Johnny roaring at me that he wanted more!

Finally…

Here are the aformentioned Old Market St Swing Band, as featured in Theme Night #27 backing Aileen Concannon. Just gorgeous.

Till next time - Kieran.

One we'll always remember...

Dear Reader –

The full spectrum of emotions in today’s letter…

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Moment of the year (so far) took place in the Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin last Wednesday night. Legendary commentator George Hamilton was one of the guests on that night’s Second Captains live show, and we were hoping he might sing his party piece at the end of the interview.

We had heard that he liked to sing Piano Man (in C), but it was only when he arrived just before the show that he confirmed he was going to do it. Thankfully Luke Devaney and I had stopped into Kevin Flannery in the Record Room on the way up to get a C harmonica, and once we got the go-ahead, the four of us in the band (Luke, Ken McDonald, James Blennerhassett and I - see pic below) huddled around my phone ten minutes before showtime listening to the various intricacies of this song.

It’s not that the chords are that difficult, but Billy varies the structure of each verse slightly. Not by much, but just enough to be annoying!

Anyway, off we went. George had the crowd nicely warmed up with a series of anecdotes about his time with the Irish soccer team, but nothing could have prepared any of us for what was about to happen when he stood up to sing.

I won’t try and describe it, because you can watch what happened here, or better still, sign up (just €5 a month) and listen to the full interview and song here.

What a moment, but what an overall experience too. Second Captains produce brilliant (and funny) sports journalism, but also do things the right way and the lads couldn’t have been more welcoming to us over the few weeks.

Where else but Sligo?

In sadder news, only a few weeks after I wrote a column about our dog Olaf, (pictured below with his buddy Cookie) he was killed last week. The column tells you all you need to know about him, including an unfortunate prediction of the cause of his death.

He was a much-loved dog. Although he demanded his comforts, was a bit stupid, sometimes peed and pooed where he shouldn’t, you couldn’t but like him. His enthusiasm was infectious and he’ll have the place well warned when any new dogs arrive to doggy heaven - that’s for sure!

Our house is quiet and sad this week, as anyone who has lost a pet will know, but our neighbours, friends and the people of Sligo have been amazing since it happened.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #29: Thanks so much for all your suggestions in response to last week’s letter. The setlist is nearly complete, but I still have a small bit of room if anyone has some last-minute ideas!

2. PIANO DAY: Today is the 88th day of the year, so it’s World Piano Day. This tradition goes all the way back to 2015 (!) when German pianist and composer Nils Frahm declared it so. So show the piano in your life some love today!

3. FOUR THOUSAND WEEKS: I’m enjoying this book by Oliver Burkeman at the moment, and one rather dry line from it stuck with me after the events of the week. You’ll have to have watched the Piano Man video to know what I mean.

   “The extraordinary psychological benefits of community singing are not reduced when the vocal instrument is of mediocre quality”. No offence meant to our brilliant audience last week!

Finally…

This song was also sung on stage in the Liberty Hall Theatre last week, and there’s a great bounce to it. I have been singing it since!

Till next time - Kieran.

Freedom!

Dear Reader –

It’s all things Freedom today, as the preparations for Theme Night #29 begin in earnest.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Look at that page below. Full of possibility. Ready for ideas. I love the thought of it filling up and forming the basis of what we’re aiming to make our best show yet.

If you have any ideas - for songs, performers, anything at all, please hit reply to this email and send them on. Thanks!

Where else but Sligo?

Speaking of freedom, it’s been a while since I last spent ten consecutive days outside of Sligo, but I just did, and returned on Saturday.

And while I love opening my world up for a while, I count myself lucky that I always look forward to coming home too. There are always three big moments on that journey - crossing the county boundary at The Curlews, driving under Ballydrehid Bridge to enter our parish, and then the turn into our house. Home.

Those feelings of rejuvenation, of excitement, of comfort - it’s easy to take them for granted, but they form the basis of so much of how I live my life. And in today’s world where millions of people are being forced to abandon their homes, it’s worth taking a moment to be thankful.

What’s New?

1. FREEDOM QUOTES: Kris Kristofferson famously described it as ‘just another word for nothing left to lose’. Then I found this description in a book this morning - ‘freedom is the ability to suck at something without caring’. Any other examples? Again please reply to this email and send them on!

2. SANDY KELLY: This time last year we published our interview with Sandy Kelly on our podcast In The Lamplight. It remains one of my favourite episodes. What a story, what a storyteller.

3. FREEDOM SONGS: Here’s how this idea has been interpreted recently by Pharell Williams, Jon Batiste, and Beyonce. Will they make it onto the Theme Night #29 setlist - time will tell!

Finally…

It’s hard to beat this one however…because when I’m asked about my favourite piano player, I always find it hard to look beyond this man. Touch, technique, taste, he had it all. Skip to the solo at 2:05 and see what I mean. Or just watch the whole performance - the climax to a 1964 live show in Denmark.

It’s called Hymn to Freedom - Oscar Peterson’s sole original composition on his classic 1962 album Night Train.

Till next time - Kieran.

Music and memories...

Dear Reader –

Have you ever heard a song and been immediately transported to another place and time? I just love how music can do this. A few examples of it in this week’s letter.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Firstly back to last week’s letter however, where I wrote of my excitement at being asked to join the Second Captains lads on stage at the Liberty Hall Theatre for a run of live shows.

There were many highlights - the lads never shy away from covering the role of sport in bigger world issues but always do it in a thoughtful way, coated with humour, music and high production values.

My favourite moment happened on the Friday night. As part of the show, I had been asked to play a piece written by the late Swinford pianist Conor Walsh, and that night, March 11th, happened to be his anniversary. After the show, an old friend of his approached me with tears in his eyes and thanked me for playing his buddy’s music. He proceeded to tell me the story of where he was six years previously when he heard the news, of how much he missed him, and how hearing his music that night kept him alive in some way.

A reminder that you never know who is in the audience on a given evening.

Where else but Sligo?

Here’s one of the big vocal talents in the current crop of local teenage musicians. Simply stunning. Her voice will hopefully make memories for many in the future.

Leah Davidson with What a Difference a Day Makes from Teenage Theme Night #25. Thanks to Sean Carleton for the video.

What’s New?

1. MY LAST SLIGO WEEKENDER COLUMN: 76 columns later, here it is, with some reflections on a wonderful experience.

2. IRELAND v ENGLAND: Shane Horgan’s famous 2006 try was featured on one of the Second Captains shows during the week. Watch it again here in the context of a beautiful story, written by his brother Mark about his experience that day. No music here, but what a memory!

3. HEARDLE: A previous edition of this letter featured Wordle, the word puzzle which has taken the world by storm. Here’s Heardle - the musical version!

Finally…

Guitarist Jim Meehan passed away last week. He was a kind and gentle soul, always supportive, passionate about music and fair play for musicians. He was a key player too in the formation of the Sligo Jazz Project.

A tasty player in his own right, I always enjoyed listening to him over the years playing with the likes of Gerry Grennan, Felip Carbonell and Amy O’Hara (below). Here he is in 2016, performing with Amy at Theme Night #14.

Rest in Peace Jim.

Till next time - Kieran.

Teenage superstars...

Dear Reader –

Current 6th Yr and emcee Senna O’Hara was introducing a younger performer to the stage during last Saturday’s Teenage Theme Night #25. She told the story of how the song about to be sung was the song she sang on her very first Teenage Theme Night in 2019. She remembered the pun with which then-emcee Callum Wall had used that night to introduce her. So in a lovely moment, she brought things full circle and said she would use the same words now that the tables had turned.

The song: Bowie’s Life on Mars?

The line: “This is Ciara Courell, and she’s out of this world"!

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

But first…we’re off to Dublin tomorrow, and I can’t wait!

I’m a huge fan of Second Captains - the Irish sports podcast with an illustrious international reputation. So it was a nice surprise to get a call recently from producer Mark Horgan asking me to put a house band together for their upcoming 6-night run in Dublin’s Liberty Hall Theatre. It starts tomorrow, and Sligo will be well represented with Luke Devaney, Mark Kennedy and Ken McDonald joining me in the band.

Mark put together this beautiful piece when Jack Charlton died in 2020. It features music from the late Conor Walsh. Both shared a love of football and fishing on the Moy. I always loved Conor’s music and it will be an honour to play this piece live.

Where else but Manorhamilton?

Or Manor, as the lads from Grooveline call it!

Bronwyn, Cian, Evan, Glenn, Matthew and Tarach made the long trip along the N16 on Friday night and blew us all away on the first night of Teenage Theme Night #25. Energy, musicianship, entertainment - these guys had it all (see pic below). They are a band that seem to be going about things the right way - working hard on their instruments, their songs and their sound - all the while having fun. You can hear their music here.

I’m singling them out here because it’s so rare that we get a fully formed band at these nights and they certainly brought something fresh to the shows. They were by no means the only stand-out performers however. 2020 graduate Jack Courtenay (pictured above) and 2017 graduate Gillian Brennan returned and showed where you can get if you continue to work at your craft. And without mentioning any more names, there was huge variety and lots of memorable moments provided by the current crew.

There is a real sense of momentum after the weekend, and we’re all now looking forward to two more Teenage shows before the school year finishes - details in the What’s New section below.

What’s New?

1. YOUNG SONGWRITERS AWARD: The return of this event - Friday April 15th in The Model. An opportunity for the teenage musicians of Sligo (and maybe even Manorhamilton!) to showcase their original music.

2. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #26: Our 6th End-Of-Year showcase will take place in the Hawk’s Well Theatre on May 14th and 15th. Tickets went on sale today so your favourite seats should still be available.

3. DOGS: Last week’s Sligo Weekender column is about my dog, and how he risks his life for love.

Finally…

We were all brought back to the early 1990s at Teenage Theme Night #25 this weekend by Katherine McBride and her band. In her own words - ‘what a banger’.

Till next time - Kieran.