Event Music:
 SJ McArdle |
THURSDAY 30 APRIL MUSIC SJ Mc ArdleDate Thur 30th April Stephen Joseph McArdle is a singer, songwriter, musician and occasional actor from Drogheda. He has also performed at the Oscars in Hollywood and other such scintillating events. Already this year he has completed a major tour of Europe with German rock giants Reamonn, playing to audiences of between 3,000 and 10,000 every night. His new album, Blood And Bones, was written and recorded in Nashville and features Rodney Crowell and Bryan Sutton, among others. SJ has also done some session work, including a stint playing mandolina with Ricky Warwick as they opened shows for Bob Dylan (Odyssey, Belfast) and Sheryl Crow (Point, Dublin) as well as at Oxegen. He also wrote the soundtrack for the RTE drama series Love Is The Drug. SJ McArdle will be supported by Niall Boyle This event is sponsored by Drogheda Chamber of Commerce  |
 Alexander Knaifel |
FRIDAY 1 MAY MUSIC Drogheda Arts Festival in association with Louth County Council Arts Service and Louth Contemporary Music Society present The Rest is Noise: the Music of Alexander KnaifelPerformers: The Callino Quartet, Oleg Malov piano, Elizabeth Cooney violin, Elizabeth Wilson cello, Joachim Roewer viola, Patricia Rozario soprano "No other composer from today’s Russia has embraced mysticism in such a rigorous way as Knaifel…He is, without any doubt, one of the most fascinating and challenging artistic figures in modern Russia. " Tatjana Rexroth, MusikTexte, Germany Date Fri 1st May Tickets €15 on sale on the door or from Highlanes Gallery More information Drogheda Arts Festival in association with Louth County Council Arts Service and Louth Contemporary Music Society present The Rest is Noise: the Music of Alexander KnaifelPerformers: The Callino Quartet, Oleg Malov piano, Elizabeth Cooney violin, Elizabeth Wilson cello, Joachim Roewer viola, Patricia Rozario soprano The haunting music of Russian-born composer Alexander Knaifel is coming to County Louth with the world premiere of his music in a celebration called ‘The Rest is Noise’. A number of world renowned musicians will perform Knaifel’s works. The virtuoso violinist Elizabeth Cooney, will perform ‘To EF and the Three Calling Cards of the Poet’, the first Irish commission from Knaifel, along with cellist Elisabeth Wilson and violist Joachim Roewer. The evening will include the first Irish performance by Russian pianist Oleg Malov. The Callino Quartet will perform some of Knaifel’s hauntingly beautiful music, including ‘O Heavenly King’ with soprano Patricia Rozario. Alexander Knaifel’s music has been described as “one of the most important revelations of recent years”, “sparse, exquisitely refined music” (International Record Review) and “So quiet, so slow-moving, yet so beautiful” (American Record Guide). The performances will be a major musical event for Ireland. This is an event not to be missed. For More information |
 Fionn Regan |
FRIDAY 1 MAY MUSIC Fionn ReganDate Fri 1st May Fionn Regan is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to the follow-up to his Mercury and Choice prize nominated debut The End of History The End of History was produced by Regan himself (mixing the album with Simon Raymonde). Mojo magazine gave the album four stars in a review that dubbed the disc "a debut that oozes rare confidence, startling maturity and originality. Other publications such as The Times and The Guardian also gave the album four out of five stars. Regan has played many festivals around the world including the 2007 Glastonbury Festival, XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey, Electric Picnic (Ireland), Summercase (Spain), Bestival (Isle of Wight) ACL (Austin, Texas) and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (San Francisco) The new album is due for release this summer. |
 Lunfardia |
SAT 2 MAY MUSIC Hear the Tangos, Chacareras & Milongas from South America LunfardiaIoana Petcu-Colan (violin); Dermot Dunne (accordion); Ariel Hernandez (guitar/ vocals) Malachy Robinson (bass); Lucas Gonzalez (percussion, guitar) You are invited on a voyage to the New World with Lunfardia, whose freewheeling repertoire embraces simmering Tangos and Milongas from Buenos Aires, rough-hewn Chacareras from the Argentinean pampas, breezy Bolivian Huaynos and grooving Joropos from Venezuela. Date Saturday 2nd May 2008 heralded their debut album ‘Picada Pa Cinco’, a highly successful springtime nationwide tour and performances at many of the leading festivals including Moving On Music Festival (Belfast), Errigal Arts Festival, OPW Salon Series (Farmleigh, Kilkenny Castle, Castletown House), Clifden Arts Week, Carrick Water Music Festival. “Lunfardia celebrate the otherworldly exoticism of South American music with blinding originality. A mix that's as cosmopolitan as it is innately sociable.” Irish Times (Siobhan Long) “Milongas, tangos and chacareras, each one tumbling after the other with a mix of wry nonchalance and highly disciplined precision.” The Irish Times A meal deal is available with this event: For €35 you can enjoy a two-course buffet meal in the exquisite d Hotel and purchase a ticket for Lunfardia! The buffet-style meal is served from 7-8pm. This event is sponsored by Patrick Tallan & Company Solicitors
For More information |
 Super Extra Bonus Party |
SAT 2 MAY MUSIC External Sounds present Super Extra Bonus PartyDate Saturday 2nd May Hailing from Newbridge, Kildare and Tallaght, Super Extra Bonus Party specializes in making upbeat eclectic music that takes in elements of indie and hip hop. Having toured across Ireland, the UK and Europe, SEBP has gained notoriety for their incendiary live performances. They have been belting out high-octane stadium rock anthems since November 2005, incorporate beats, blips, synths, scratching, bass, guitars, trumpet, drums and live MC'ing. All this adds up to a blistering live show that rarely fails to impress the audience. Since releasing the album, they have played the Electric Picnic, Mantua and Life festivals, and supported The Go! Team, Cadence Weapon, Bonde Do Role, Subtle, Aliens and Delorentos. Their latest musical offering 'Appetite for Reconstruction' is a remix album featuring reworks of their own music by acts such as Cadence Weapon, Jape, Decal, Deep Burial, The Vinny Club, and Ambulance. NEW ALBUM: NIGHT HORSES In May 2009 Super Extra Bonus Party will be releasing their second album, Night Horses. Work began on Night Horses in July 2008, and since then the band have been writing and recording in Newbridge, Ardmore and Dublin. The album will feature many collaborators, all of which will be revealed closer to the date of release. The first single from the album will be ‘Radar’ which features Canadian MC Cadence Weapon. This event is sponsored by Edgewater College
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 Donal O’Connor & Martin Meehan |
SUN 3 MAY MUSIC Donal O’Connor & Martin MeehanDate Sunday 3rd May Son of the celebrated fiddler Gerry O’Connor (Skylark, Kinvara) and renowned singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin (Lá Lugh), Dónal O’Connor (Fiddle) has inherited a great musical legacy of at least five generations of fiddle playing. Dónal’s playing was described recently by the press as “immaculate” “electrifying” and “…borne out of naked talent and consummate professionalism…” The Irish Times and “exquisite” - The Scotsman. Martin Meehan (Flute) originates from Manchester where he began tin whistle and flute classes under the guidance of Angela Durkin and Michael McGoldrick. He has recently released a solo flute album ‘Three’s Company’ to much critical acclaim. “One of the most sensual odes to a musical instrument you’ll encounter this side of Miles Davis’s ‘Tutu’.” -- The Irish Times |
 Nuala Kennedy |
SUN 3 MAY MUSIC Nuala KennedyDate Sunday 3rd May Irish traditional singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy performs a range of material from across the Irish and Scottish traditional music repertoires. She also composes her own idiosyncratic brand of traditional music and tours in a variety of line-ups from duo and quartet to a nine-piece festival band 'The New Shoes' with whom she recorded her debut album released on Nashville's Compass Records (2007). It received four-star reviews from the national Scotland on Sunday newspaper, Songlines Magazine and was voted traditional album of the week by The Irish Times. "original and highly accomplished" SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY "not only an exceptional interpreter of the tradition, her own tunes glisten with freshness…dazzling" THE IRISH TIMES |
The Funeral Band |
SUN 3 MAY MUSIC The Funeral BandAn evening with The Funeral Band - celebrating Music and Life Date Sunday 3rd May THE FUNERAL BAND This jamboree ensemble of musical luminaries includes
In his day, Liam O’Flynn was a noted musician. At his funeral in Naas in late 2008, a unique band of musicians, led by his son, Liam Óg O’ Flynn, came together to perform in his honour. Amongst those who played were Sean Keane (The Chieftains), composer Shaun Davey (The Brendan Voyage), singer Rita Connolly (Granuaile), cellist-piper-composer Neil Martin (West Ocean String Quartet), guitarist Artie McGlynn, and keyboard specialist Rod McVey (the Van Morrison band), with West Kerry box player and sean-nós singer Seamus Begley. Not to be missed, this concert will deliver music and song of the highest calibre to the Drogheda Arts Festival audience, leaving them in no doubt they are in the hands of masters. For More information |
 Norman Jay NBE |
SUN 3 MAY MUSIC Drogheda Arts Festival in association with External Sounds present Norman Jay NBEDate Sunday 3rd May The word “legend" is often overused in the music industry but its use in describing DJ Norman Jay is fully merited. Born in London in the 1960s he began dj'ing at the tender age of 8 years old and has gone on to become arguably one of the finest and most respected deejays in the world today. As a young man he was inspired by the American R&B of the late 60s, especially the sound of Sly And The Family Stone, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. UK music publication, 'Muzik' magazine, called him a "man of the people", and it was due to this popularity, talent and dedication to his music that he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours List in 2002. For More information |
 Eliza Carthy |
MON 4 MAY MUSIC Drogheda Arts Festival presents Eliza Carthy and BandDate Monday 4th May Eliza Carthy is winner of 2 Mercury Prize nominations and innumerable other accolades over a 15 year career. Eliza has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists including Paul Weller, The Wainwrights, Billy Bragg, Nick Cave and Joan Baez. Eliza featured on vocals of this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning track Cold Haily Rainy Night by the Imagined Village which picked up the award for 'Best Traditional Track'. Eliza is also the winner of an unrivalled seven BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. "A gloriously natural singer" Q magazine “Eliza Carthy is one of the figureheads of the English folk revival … compelling” Evening Standard. For More information |
 Festival Club in The d Hotel  Banned Substance  Geriko  Biko |
Festival Club in The d HotelJoin us in The d Hotel after the events of Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for FREE entertainment and a late bar. Meet other festival goers for some great nights of craic. Friday 1 May Local rock four piece Banned Substance formed a little over three years ago & have built up a strong following, they consists of Barry Molloy (drums) Mark McQuillan (guitar) Paul Gallagher (bass & vocals) & Shane O'Brien (guitar & vocals). Banned Substance covers some of the classic acts from the late sixties & seventies such as The Beatles & The Small Faces. These guys have played venues all over the county & sold out The Droichead Art Centre at last years Arts Festivals late club, the lads are back on home territory in the early summer to perform a number of shows & are sure to go down a treat. Saturday 2 May Geriko were formed back in the heady days of school when everyone and their dog had a band. In 2006 they recorded the critically acclaimed E.P Bagfull Of Sins and embarked on a promotional tour of Ireland taking in Dundalk, Belfast, Waterford, Cork, Mullingar, Limerick, Drogheda and Dublin which culminated in a headlining show in Whelan’s. They also played in the Ambassador venue in Dublin alongside The Stone Roses Experience. With word of mouth spreading and steady airplay from Dave Fanning, interest in the band grew and support slots with some of Ireland’s biggest acts including Republic Of Loose and The Blizzards followed. They have also been on tour with Irish band Jaded Sun who are currently promoting their debut album! Sunday 3 May Following on from their debut gig during the Fair on Fair Street, Biko will play for The Festival Club. This six piece band explores a wide variety of genres including the music of South Africa and Eastern Europe. Interweaving influences of traditional Irish music, they create a unique hybrid of global sounds.  |
