• Her Heart and Her Voice: Remembering Sinéad O’Connor

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    Galway-based folk artist Brigid Mae Power fondly remembers Sinéad O’Connor’s incomparable influence and authenticity Illustration by Loreana Rushe  When people ask me in interviews, “Who are your musical influences?” I usually respond with the same people who come to mind. “Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Joni Mitchell, Tim Buckley’ etc. Recently I wondered, why don’t I ever say “Sinéad O’ Connor”?  I have realised that Sinéad has been far more of an influence and inspiration to me than the above artists and for a much longer time. I feel like her music, singing, songwriting and personality is embedded in me so…

  • In Photos: The Choice Music Prize 2023

    March 10, 2023 - By 

    The RTE Choice Music Prize 2023 took place at Vicar Street in Dublin last night, with CMAT winning the coveted Irish Album of the Year award, accepted on her behalf by drag artist Lavender. In other awards, Moncrieff took home the Irish Song of the Year prize for ‘Warm,’ Fontaines D.C. won Irish Artist of the Year, Cian Ducrot scooped the Irish Breakthrough Artist and Sinéad O’Connor made an appearance to be awarded the inaugural Irish Classic Album for ‘I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. Live performances on the night came from Pillow Queens, Just Mustard, Aoife Nessa…

  • All Together Now Announce 2022 Line-Up

    November 10, 2021 - By 

    All Together Now have announced a stacked line-up for its return next summer. Across the August Bank Holiday (July 29-July 31 2022) the festival will make its return to Curraghmore Estate in Co. Waterford after a three-year break. And it was well and truly worth the wait. Across 18 stages of music, art, theatre, spoken word, comedy, food and more, the festival will feature sets by the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Underworld, Sinead O’Connor, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, DJ Koze, Jungle, Groove Armada, Honey Dijon, Dry Cleaning, Joy Orbison and more. And there’s an absolute…

  • Monday Mixtape: Niall Jackson

    February 22, 2021 - By 

    London-based Dublin musician and broadcaster Niall Jackson aka Swimmers Jackson selects some of the songs featured on his excellent new radio show/podcast Pears For Lunch. I’m doing a new radio show/podcast on Islington Radio talking to Irish Musicians for an hour. A deep dive, breaking down songs, talking about influences and approach and getting some funny tour stories. The first seven have already been recorded with three episodes out so far. It’s called ‘Pears For Lunch’ and goes out on Mixcloud every Thursday on @IslingtonRadio so far here I’m delighted to give you an exclusive on songs looked at so…