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MusicTown 2017 – First Programme Highlights Announced
Festival dates: 7 – 17 April 2017
The first programme highlights for MusicTown 2017 were announced. Now in its third year, MusicTown celebrates the rich music heritage and contemporary artistic lifeblood of Dublin City, one of the world’s most musical cities. Full programme details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Over 11 days and nights in April the beat of the city will be set by the eclectic mix of musical performances and events taking place across Dublin.
Founded by Dublin City Council, and programmed by Aiken Promotions, this jam packed programme running from 7-17 April, encompasses and celebrates the various types of music created, performed and waiting to be enjoyed in the city; from classical to pop, trad to rock, psychedelic to opera, electronic and everything in between. A myriad of concerts, masterclasses, collaborations and workshops, bringing together an exciting mix of composers, singers, musicians, producers, DJS, and artists right across the musical spectrum, to celebrate the best, the next and the unexpected.
MusicTown Executive Director and City Arts Officer, Ray Yeates said, “There is much more that connects music of all kinds than divides it and MusicTown seeks to showcase the best of Dublin’s music while also encouraging new audiences to try new musical experiences. Handel’s music also has a special place in MusicTown and his work remains a role model for collaboration and innovation.”
Some highlights of MusicTown 2017 include:
Craig David will play 3Arena Dublin on 7 April. Having sold over 15 million albums, achieving 16 Top Ten hits and multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries, taking over festival stages around the world, selling out headline tours in seconds, to securing a residency at the iconic Ibiza Rocks Hotel…It’s official, Craig David is back and in a big way! Get tickets here.
Two time Grammy-winner, singer-songwriter, John Prine will play the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on 13 April. Forty-five years into a remarkable career that has drawn effusive praise from Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Waters, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and others who would know, Prine is a smiling, shuffling force for good. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, the Everly Brothers, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, Norah Jones, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, and many others. But his genius isn’t found in his resume, it’s found in the brilliance of lyrics from his large catalog of songs. Get tickets here.
Following the release of her most recent album gather your greatness last year, Bronagh Gallagher will take to the stage, with her band, for an unforgettable night at Whelans on 7 April. Get tickets here.
With her stunning seventh album ‘Version Of Me’ released on her own Red Girl Records label last October, Melanie C is back on the road and will play Vicar Street for one night only as part of MusicTown on 13 April. Get tickets here.
On 13 April, ChoiceCuts presents Yussef Kamaal – Future Jazz Series at The Sugar Club, an enthralling new voice in British music. Comprised of keyboardist/producer Kamaal Williams and drummer Yussef Dayes, the duo are rhythmic improvisation incarnate. Taking their cues from ‘70s jazz-funk refracted through the bass-heavy sounds of London club culture, the pair have recently released their debut LP, ‘Black Focus’. Get tickets here.
Following on from her final (Last Call) tour abroad, which brought her to the USA, Japan, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the UK and Australia, Mary Black is back in Dublin and will perform at Vicar Street on 15 April accompanied by her world famous band of musicians: Bill Shanley (guitar), Pat Crowley (piano and accordion), Nick Scott (double bass) and Richie Buckley (saxophone). Get tickets here.
Matt Simons will headline The Button Factory on 9 April. His 2015 single “Catch & Release” remix hit #1 on Spotify’s Viral charts in 10 countries, peaking at #16 on the Global Viral chart, hit the Top 200 on iTunes in 28 countries and racked up 10 million Soundcloud plays. Get tickets here.
Described as the folk music of the near future, experience Natalie Mering, the being behind Weyes Blood at The Workman’s Club on 15 April. Mering embeds her song in a harmonic gauze of arpeggiated piano, acoustic guitar, druggy horns, and outerspace electronics. Get tickets here.
Kid Ink cruises past all boundaries and is returning to Dublin on 10 April to play Vicar Street. The Los Angeles rapper, producer, and performer can seamlessly slip from an irresistible hook into an impeccable verse, effortlessly bobbing and weaving between the club and the streets. There’s absolutely nobody quite like the tattooed from head-to-toe impresario. Get tickets here.
Legends of Irish Music & Song, The Fureys return to Vicar St on 8 April for another great night of Irish Music, Songs and stories including their timeless classics ‘I will love you’, ‘When you were sweet 16’, ‘The Green fields of France’, ‘From Clare to here’, plus songs from their latest CD ‘The Times they are a changing’. Get tickets here.
At The Workman’s Club on 10 April catch, PWR BTTM, formed in 2013 after guitarist Ben Hopkins and drummer Liv Bruce bonded over bringing drag culture and performance art into the D.I.Y. scene while studying at upstate New York’s Bard College. Their first EP, Cinderella Beauty Shop, with its raw pop-punk and garage rock sound drew comparisons to the likes of queercore pioneers Pansy Division and God Is My Co-Pilot, with their debut album, Ugly Cherries earning rave reviews for their take on queer punk. Get tickets here.
Ryley Walker will play Whelan’s on 16 April. Last year saw the release of the fourth album from Rockford, Illinois virtuoso guitarist and songwriter Ryley Walker, entitled Golden Sings That Have Been Sung. ‘Through those fingers flow many woody and august antecedents: difficult homegrown masters like John Martyn or Bert Jansch, wayward American travellers like John Fahey, more canonical voices like Tim Buckley; the jazzy post-rockers of his adopted Chicago. Later in the set he’ll cover Tim Hardin’s If I Were a Carpenter.’ The Guardian **** Get tickets here.
