“When I was 16 and I first got paid to drink free beer, eat free food, watch burlesque girls and rock out in the band Jimmy Willing & The Real Gone Hickups; that’s what did it for me. Music is magical for those making it and those listening. There are plenty of ups and downs, but we stick with it for those magical moments.”
– Rohan Healy, Dublin City Rounders
“When I realized that latex and black makeup is more comfortable than a business suit.”
– Al, Dublin City Rounders
TG4 darlings The Dublin City Rounders are here to party, bringing their trademark rabble-rousing, boot-stomping, rubber-necking sound to the youbloom crowd. Why is it so infectious? How did they write these wicked ditties? And what the hell is that guy doing to the bass? (Jimi Hendrix challenge accepted!) Their energy will blow you away on Sunday, 14/6 at the Busking Stage, 6pm.
“When I was very young, maybe around 5 or 6 years old, I wrote and recorded a song called “Mad Dog” in my father’s home studio. I played the drums on it, which I distinctly remember because my legs were too short to reach the kick pedal! The song was about a dog who chased the postman and wanted to eat him. I remember telling my father that when I grew up I was going to be the lead singer of a band who also played the drums. The drumming part didn’t pan out but one out of two isn’t bad.”
– Kim Monroe, Castle Creek
Everything is right with this band. They’re tight, bluesy, hooky, and inviting, and they’ve been winning over audiences everywhere they’ve performed since getting their rootsy rock sound together in the heart of New York state a few years ago. The soundtrack to your both your most nostalgic moments and all the beers with your best mates. Give ‘em a proper Irish welcome at Sweeney’s Upstairs stage on Saturday, 13/6, at 11pm.
“The first time a friend introduced me to her work pals as a musician. Before I had time to object and say, “Oh no, I’m not a real musician,” they were asking me loads of questions about music. By the end of the night, feeling so happy, I realised that I wanted to start doing more with my songs. I booked my first venue, charged a fiver at the door, and 70 friends and supporters filled the room that night. And that was me hooked on being a musician!”
– Miriam Donohue, singer/songwriter
Like something unearthed from a time capsule buried in the early 60’s by a still-green Bob Dylan, Miriam Donohue’s music feels like a gift from a time when pop music was still silly enough to be bypassed by those with more on their minds than twisting and shouting. A capable writer, with a sublime delivery that will leave you speechless. She’s on the Mercantile Gallery stage on Saturday, 13/6, at 8.30pm.
“Its difficult to pin point the one moment when I knew music was for me. It seems to have always been within me. Maybe when I discovered how cathartic writing songs was as a teenager, especially when I started getting my heart broken from pretty girls!”
– Christian Collins, singer/songwriter
With a voice that betrays a rich humility and fervent depth; reminiscent of Jeff Buckley’s greatest years, Christian Collins is not to be missed. This is triumphant poetry at its touchable best. He plays Sweeney’s Upstairs stage on Sunday, 14/6, at 10.05 pm.
“When I saw the first foot tapping to our music, followed by an outbreak of dancing, and then heard my first applause. Nothing beats playing live to an appreciative audience. Nothing!”
– Ronan Gallagher, vocals & guitar, The Ronan Gallagher Band
“Siderodromophilia – an obsession with or fixation on railroads, trains or train travel.” The music of the Ronan Gallagher Band seems to summon the wanderlust in us all, with wailing strings, blues cat vocals, chugging tempos, and a whole lot of things to reminisce about as the track goes by. As though the songs are merely turns of the radio dial, picking up on a permanent station, what they capture is raw; endlessly beautiful in its simplicity. They top off the night at Sweeney’s Upstairs stage on Saturday, 13/6, at 1.30 am.
