When the nerves hit...

Dear Reader –

A big week at home and abroad this week…

The Big Thing

So as if the week wasn’t busy enough, the Second Captains crew had asked me to go to London to play with them on their live show last Thursday. The show was in the EartH theatre in Hackney, where 700 people (mostly Irish men) came to see their favourite sports podcasters in the flesh.

And with no disrespect to any of the wonderful singers I got to play with in the shows that bookended the week, on Thursday night I got to accompany a true Irish hero.

Five minutes before the performance was due to happen however, the nerves hit me. Nerves that I haven’t experienced in a long time. All of a sudden I could empathise with Theme Night performers, who get one shot at their song and that’s it. It either goes well or it doesn’t, but either way it’s gone after a few minutes and you can do nothing about it.

And in this moment I could feel the weight of the 1400+ ears that were about to be trained on me. The finale. The big one. And I had to get it right…

Watch the original version of what we tried to reproduce live here,

Music by Conor Walsh. Words by Jack Charlton. Created by Mark Horgan. Pic below by Sorcha Pollak.

Where else but Sligo?

So it’s farewell to the Class of 2022!

A Teenage Theme Night rollercoaster for this particular group of 6th Yrs - bookended by some great live shows with a few online ones in between.

They signed off this weekend with a bang however with the help of the TYs and 5th Yrs in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. What a couple of shows we had - thanks so much to everyone who took part and to everyone who came.

My favourite moment was when David Walsh walked out on stage with just his guitar halfway through the second half. David is in 6th Yr but had never taken part in these nights before. So this was going to be his one and only theme night. And he was doing it on his own. And both nights he blew the crowd away. Hopefully only the beginning for this young man.

We’ll take a break for the summer now before returning in the autumn with a whole new bunch of 6th Yrs. So if you or someone you know is currently in 3rd, 4th or 5th Yr and would like to get involved in 2022-23, send an email to kieran@kieranquinn.ie and register your interest.

Thanks especially to (L-R in pic below) Ella Rose, Senna, Ryan and Rosha who led by example as emcees for the year. To the ever-dependable TTN band (Eddie Lee, Ken McDonald and Dave Flynn). To Niamh Crowley for digging me out of a hole on Saturday afternoon with some last-minute arrangements. To Joy Feehily for all her help throughout the year. And to the below photobombers Darragh and Nathan of course!

What’s New?

1. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: Niamh Crowley sat down with the lads and I last week to talk through the ups and downs of Theme Night #29. We were all in some sort of post-show fragile emotional state so it turned out to be great fun! Have a listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

2. MUSICALS: For anyone who didn’t read last week’s letter, the theme for October’s show is Musicals - and I have been getting some amazing suggestions already. I won’t start work on it for a while yet, but I’m taking notes for when I do, so please send on anything that you’d like to hear or think could work.

3. NEXT WEEK: Loads of pics and videos from Theme Night #29 and Teenage Theme Night #26 coming your way (thanks to Kris Manulak). Here’s one to whet your appetite…Eddie Fitzpatrick et all in full flow.

Finally…

Thursday afternoon and I was trying to make my way to my London hotel while over and back on WhatsApp to the show producer trying to pick walk-on music for the various guests. I kept taking wrong turns literally and metaphorically. Until we came up with this one. What a tune!

Till next time - Kieran.

The review...

Dear Reader –

If you’re here for early access to Theme Night #30 tickets, scroll down to the What’s New Section for more. Oh and the theme is announced there too…

First though, some reflections on Theme Night #29.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

What a week we all had! Thanks to all the musicians, performers, crew, theatre staff and (especially) audiences who made the big return everything we had hoped it would be.

We recorded our In The Lamplight review podcast last night with special guest (and Golden Jacket winner) Niamh Crowley and anyone looking for an in-depth review of what we all thought about the shows will find it there when it comes out tomorrow morning (Wednesday).

However there are a few things I’d like to mention today.

Firstly my favourite moment of the run. It happened on Friday night, when in the middle of one song early enough in the show I heard the clatter of a drumstick hitting the floor. By the time I looked around to see what had happened, there was Tonto (percussionist) already handing Steve (drummer) his stick so he wouldn’t miss a beat. An example of the teamwork and camaraderie that exists between these two crucial members of our band, and indeed within our group as a whole.

I love what Sarah Crummy does - and she did it again. It was so good to have her back.

Big shoutout to Collette Sheerin, Emmanuel McCormack, Georgie Gorman and Tabby Callaghan. All of whom were supposed to be performing with us but couldn’t make it in the end for various reasons. We missed you all.

Most of all it was inspiring to be working once again with a team of great people who were committed to upping our collective game. It reminded me of my best days as a footballer - that feeling of wanting to ensure you do your job to the best of your ability because you don’t want to let down everyone else who you know is doing the same.

Where else but Sligo?

Regular readers of this letter will know how big a part our Monday gig in Connolly’s played in my week.

So there was some natural sadness and disappointment when we were informed last Tuesday that it would no longer be happening.

However we had some great times there over the last eight years. I’d like to thank Paul O’Donnell and his staff for giving us the opportunity and looking after us so well in Connolly’s and Furey’s over that time. Also the many musicians who played with us - we had some incredible moments. And to all who came in to see us, especially the regular heads, thanks for helping make these gigs so special.

I feel very lucky having got to play with this man (below) every week for that length of time. And while I’m sure it’s not the end for us, this picture sums up how I feel about all the great times and wonderful music we have got to share so far. Thanks to Joy Feehily for capturing it.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #30 ANNOUNCEMENT: So - the show will take place on 6-8 October 2022 in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. And the theme is…….…yes it’s time folks………Musicals!

   In our own special theme night way.

2. TICKETS: Tickets go on sale today (10th May) at 11am. Online or on the phone - 071-9161518.

3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #26: Coming this Saturday and Sunday! Here are Senna and Freya - two of the stars of the show - strutting their stuff in Theme Night #29 last weekend. Tickets available here.

Finally…

Here’s one of the standout performances from last week’s show. It got a prolonged standing ovation each night and was on everyone’s list of highlights. Liudmila Ropiak and our Theme Night Choir with the Ukrainian song Oy U Luzi Chervona Kalyna.

Till next time - Kieran.

The preview...

Dear Reader –

A quick update before we get into this week’s letter - at the time of writing Friday and Saturday’s shows are sold out, so if you haven’t got your tickets yet Thursday is the only game in town.

Luckily Thursday’s show has a top-class line-up. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out!

Tickets available here.

All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

So Theme Night #29 is upon us. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time - a chance to put on a show with a full stage and a full auditorium. And we can’t wait!

We picked the theme in early February, just after restrictions on live events had been lifted, and so ‘Freedom’ seemed like the right choice. Since then unfortunately, the word has taken on a new meaning in our world, especially for the people of Ukraine. With that in mind we would especially like to welcome Liudmila Ropiak to our stage this week, and many members of the Ukrainian community in Sligo to the Hawk’s Well for the first time.

It’s a broad theme, so it has allowed us to include a wide variety of styles and genres. You can expect to hear Irish ballads, film themes, plenty of hits, and possibly even a song or two from the musicals!

As always, we will feature some original songs from the pens of members of the Theme Night Ensemble, specifically this time from Amy O’Hara, Grooveline and a new fun song of mine that I can’t wait to play for you. There are also many new arrangements of already existing material, which we are looking forward to showcasing each night this week.

So if you have bought a ticket to the show, thankyou! It’s such an important show for us, as we seek to infuse Sligo with the Theme Night spirit again and hopefully reestablish the momentum of the shows after the last two years. I hope you have a great night, and if you feel like it, please let me know what you liked and what you think we could improve on.

kieran@kieranquinn.ie

PS here’s a 1-min behind the scenes look at choir rehearsals from last week. Thanks Rory Maitland for the vid.

Where else but Sligo?

By day Collette Sheerin is Sligo’s most in-demand landscape gardener. By night she can be found with her guitar or flute, playing and singing, writing songs at home or playing with friends.

In her own words - digging and gigging!

She is part of our Theme Night Ensemble, and has contributed hugely to the shows over the years. Last time out however, she experienced what she called stagefright. Shortness of breath, extreme nervousness and hence a performance with which she wasn’t happy. This is actually quite a common occurrence for musicians, and we could all empathise with Collette.

She told her story, including her hopes for Theme Night #29, on In The Lamplight this week.

Rory, Luke, Mícheál and I happily returned to the studio to record our first podcast in a while - a Theme Night preview show featuring Collette and other Theme Night chat. Have a listen here (or wherever you get your podcasts) - it was lovely to be back chatting with the lads again.

And - we’re doing it again next week - Our Theme Night review show will be released this coming Wednesday 11th May.

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT #30 DATES/TIX: It will take place on 6-8 October 2022 in the Hawk’s Well Theatre. Tickets will go on sale next Tuesday morning (10th May) at 11am. Unless you’re a subscriber to this letter! Keep an eye on your inbox next Tuesday morning for details of early access to these tickets.

2. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: From James Clear - “Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it was the wrong choice."

3. TEENAGE THEME NIGHT #26: Thankfully it’s not long until we’re back in the Hawk’s Well - this time celebrating the best of Film Music with the class of 2022.

Finally…

Here’s one from this week in 2016. I don’t usually sing at these shows, and I include this today not to showcase my voice (!), but because the video includes some fantastic shots of you guys, that night’s audience, up on your feet, dancing and singing. Here’s to more of that this week!

Till next time - Kieran.

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.