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1 Press Book from to Copyright Material. This may only be copied under the terms of a Newspaper Licensing Ireland agreement ( or written publisher permission.

2 -2- Table of Contents Topic: 13/03/2017 Western People: Clancy Brothers contest wants your original song /03/2017 Clonmel Nationalist: 12/03/2017 The Sun-Eire: Concert this Saturday night to support Cahir Looped Walks...4 How to work that dream /04/2017 Irish Music Magazine: 10/03/2017 Kilkenny People: 09/03/2017 Fingal Gazette: IMRO SHOWCASE-TRADFEST TEMPLE BAR International Music Sensation 'Fourth Moon' Scheduled for Kilkenny Tradfest... 7 Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe /03/2017 Dublin City Gazette: Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe /03/2017 Clondalkin Gazette: 09/03/2017 Blanch Gazette: 09/03/2017 Lucan Gazette: Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe...15 Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe...18 Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe /03/2017 Dundrum Gazette: Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe /03/2017 Dun Laoghaire Gazette: Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe /03/2017 Kilkenny People: 07/03/2017 Wexford Echo: Kilkenny Tradfest set to bring significant boost to local economy Opera House scoops Live Music Venue award /03/2017 Munster Express - Encore: Steel Magnolias /03/2017 Carlow Courier: Top three national spot for local singer/songwriter /03/2017 Dungarvan Observer: Waterford's Nuadan to play Kilkenny Tradfest Copyright Material. This may only be copied under the terms of a Newspaper Licensing Ireland agreement ( or written publisher permission.

3 Western People* Monday, 13 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 19800mm² Page 1 of 1 Clancy Brothers contest wants your original song Now one of the biggest song contests in Ireland, the Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition 2017 is open for entries again. And to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the event, songwriters are also invited to take part in A Song for Carrick, a new competition category for songs with the theme of Carrick-on-Suir, the home of the Clancy Brothers. Two years ago, Mayo musician Jamie Mulrooney won the top prize. This Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition is designed with the songwriter in mind. First prize includes a 500 cash sponsored by IMRO, studio time at Crossroads Recording in Kilkenny, and CD duplication from Duplication Ireland. With these prizes, the winner will be all set for the next step in their songwriting career. The two runners-up will also receive cash prizes of 250 each so no one leaves empty handed. Songs entered into A Song for Carrick must be on the theme of Carrick-on-Suir. It could be a song about the town, its setting on the River Suir beneath the Comeraghs and Slievenamon, a love song based in the town, or about someone from Carrick-on- Suir such as Black Tom, Sean Kelly, Maurice Davin or even the Clancy Brothers themselves! There are also cash prizes for the eventual winner and two runners-up. Both competitions are free to enter and open to all musical styles and genres, all ages and all nationalities. Songs are judged on melody, composition, originality and lyrics, not on performance or production skills. The finalists will perform their songs at a concert during the Clancy Brothers Festival of Music and Art later this year, after which the winners will be announced. Entries to both competitions can be posted on a CD to Clancy Brothers Songwriting Competition, The Tudor Artisan Hub, 42 Main Street, Carrickon-Suir, Co Tipperary, or submitted in MP3 format via the website at The closing date for entries is April 14th. Jamie Mulrooney (centre), from Pontoon, was the winner of the 2015 Clancy Brothers Song Contest. He is pictured with Mary Clancy, widow of the late Paddy Clancy, a member of the Irish folk group that first took the world by storm in the 1960s.

4 Clonmel Nationalist* Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 14200mm² Page 1 of 1 Concert this Saturday night to support Cahir Looped Walks On Saturday evening of 11th March, the committee of Cahir Looped Walks will present a concert by singersongwriter Jack O Rourke in Cahir Park Golf Club. Cahir Looped Walks are a recent formation with the objective, already underway, of laying out three walks of varying distance in the vicinity of Scarrough Wood which lies at foot of the Galtees and within walking distance of the town. The walks through the wood and onto the open mountain are to be upgraded and signposted with the purpose of benefitting both local and tourist alike. Funds raised will go towards costs in this regard. Singer-songwriter Jack O Rourke is from Cork. To speak of the regard in which his talent is held, IMRO says he is one of the most exciting emerging talents in Ireland. RTE radio presenter and musician, Fiaehana O Braonain (Hothouse Flowers) spoke of the beautiful honest song-writing he delivered with a transporting musicality, whilst his words and music have been recognised by the great Tom Waites. Jack s composition, Silence, was the anthem chosen for the Yes Equality Referendum. He has been described as having oodles of soul, blues and jazz within him, so a variety for the musical ear. As a prelude to Jack, local musician Nev Flynn will lend his talent to the evening. Tickets are on sale from the Heritage, The Square, at 20 and your support for these walks greatly appreciated. Doors open at 7-3opm and Concert commences at 8.15pm sharp.

5 -5-03/12/ :00 The Sun-Eire Media Source: Press Page: 18 How to work that dream Online article

6 Irish Music Magazine* Saturday, 1 April 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 52700mm² Page 1 of 1 IMRO SHOWCASE-TRADFEST TEMPLE BAR 2017 January 25th, 2017, St Werburgh's Church, Dublin. Sarah Jarosz and her band with support from Paddy Dennehy and The Red Herring. P H addy Dennehy and The Red Herring, opened the evening, showcasing the contrasting vocals of Paddy's impassioned, gutsy voice and Emily Donoghue's lower, smoother tones. This was heard on Hard Times, an original from the duo, which Paddy told the audience had indeed featured in a live performance on The Late Late Show. The gutsy projection from Dennehy threw up connotations of Tom Waits, a verified reference in the group's musical direction. The Waits-influenced growl adapted well by Dennehy, juxtaposed with the smooth tone of Donoghue. On other songs like The Dance, emotion was key and came in droves through vocal and instrumental arrangements, their stated influences of Waits and also Randy Newman and Billie Holiday among others, were quite audible. Intensely involved and embedded in every passing lyric, in between songs Dennehy was at somewhat of a loss, no doubt preferring the space in which to delve into his music. Indeed, at one point he said, nervously joking about the intensity of the compositions: 'It's very hard to see out [into the audience], so if anyone wants to make an escape, now's the time!' Of course nobody left, but stuck around for the rest of Paddy Dennehy and Emily Donoghue's all too short set. Well, l don't know how they do things down Texas way, but here in Dublin, Ireland, 10 degrees in winter is cause to start dusting off the summer wardrobe. Sarah Jarosz began by telling us how cold the weather was in the city, but we didn't shiver, as the genuine warmth of her Americana vibe won over the audience in St Werburgh's church. The 25-year-old has already lived a long life in the music business and so stood confident on stage, flanked by impresarios Jeff Picker on Double Bass and Anthony Nikowska on guitars, both acoustic and electric. Between the three of them, the church reverberated to the mouth-watering tone of Jarosz's archtop guitar, as well as clawhammer banjo and her primary instrument, mandolin. This is just lovely! Sarah proclaimed from the altar cum stage, about seeing a sold-out house who had come to hear her on this apparently 'freezing cold' winter Dennehy was intensely involved and embedded in every passing lyric, Jarosz as comfortable on banjo as mandolin, she played Annabel Lee in the wonderfully subtle clawhammer style night. New CD Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton traditional fiddle tunes / like what they Jo because they have great attack. There's a lot of energy going on here. Frank Hennessy, Celtic Heartbeat. BBC Radio Wales Available from itunes and CD Baby alanaleighcline@gmail.com Picking from her collection of albums, including her latest Undercurrent, released last year, the audience was very obviously pleased with her selection of songs. Songs like Build Me Up From Bones and her performance of Bob Dylan's Ring Them Bells received extra attention from all in attendance. Almost every one of those songs had an infectious groove, urged along equally by Jarosz's confident stage presence, effortless musicianship and also the exemplary bass playing by Picker, who filled the church with his runs through her songs. Nikowska's energetic lead work on acoustic and electric guitars added immensely to the groove. The electric effects gave a flowing, effective and slightly edgy backdrop to the groove, particularly on Back of My Mind from her latest album Undercurrent As a nod to a major influence on her journey with the mandolin, and a familiar face in traditional music circles on either side of the Atlantic, Jarosz played Tim O'Brien's Lands End/Chasing Talon set, showing off her picking skills which have been honed si nee the age of 10 when she got her first mandolin lesson. This set turned into a special moment of the night, with Sarah and bassist Picker sparking off each other in their performance of the tunes. Not only sparkling on mandolin and treating us to that tone-rich archtop guitar, she also announced at one point: I think it's time for a bit of banjo! Equally as comfortable on banjo as mandolin, she played Annabel Lee in the wonderfully subtle clawhammer style on her open-back, Boucher-style banjo. Another banjo whirl saw her sing Ireland's Green Shore, again influenced by O'Brien. As she announced once or twice to the audience that she hoped they were managing to keep warm enough through the music, I wondered if she might want to slip over to Leo Burdock's for a 'one and one' (fish and chips) after the gig to warm her cockles. Although, having noticed on Wikipedia that Jarosz is the Polish word for vegetarian, perhaps a large single of chips might have sufficed, with a few crispy bits thrown in too. Well, you have to have the crispy bits, whether you're vegetarian or otherwise and always if you aspire to the banjo. Derek Copley

7 Kilkenny People* Friday, 10 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 41700mm² Page 1 of 2 International Music Sensation Fourth Moon Scheduled for Kilkenny Tradfest International music sensation, Fourth Moon are scheduled for Kilkenny Tradfest The band who were formed when they were studying a Masters in Traditional Music at the World Academy of Irish Music, University Limerick are set to play Kilkenny Tradfest on Sunday 19th March at 9:30pm in Billy Byrne s, John St, Kilkenny. Fourth Moon line-up consists of Mohsen Amini (Concertina), David Lombardi (Fiddle), Geza Frank (Whistles, Flute, Pipes) and Jean Damei (Guitar), who between them have performed globally with their own projects and also with the likes of Riverdance and Carlos Nunez. Between them they have a whole host of awards under their belts including the 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year, 2015 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winner, 2015 MG ABLA Up and Coming Artist of the Year nomination, Piping championship titles in Germany/Austria and upwards of 5 All Britain titles. Amini from Scotland, who was recently nominated for Musician of the Year at the BBC Folk Awards, comments that The whole idea of the band was to bring together a collective, who share a common ground of innovation but who also keep traditional music at the core and so with this we have incorporated a lot of own compositions and adapted them to given them the Fourth Moon branding. Kilkenny Tradfest, which is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary has again exceeded all expectations, with some of the country s most influential and acclaimed musicians set to play in Kilkenny City over the St Patrick s Day weekend (16th - 19th March). Bulmers is once again the title sponsor at the festival and this years highlights include; Paul Brady (2017 headline act), Eleanor McEvoy, Ushers Island, Declan Sinnott & Vickie Keating, The Voice Squad, plus breakout Irish traditional and folk band Beoga* who have recently recorded two tracks for Ed Sheeran s hotly anticipated new album, Divide. Kilkenny Tradfest was recently awarded Best Small Live Music Festival at this year s IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards. The festival proudly showcases the very best of Irish traditional and folk music, in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city. This year s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with both free and ticketed events, there s something everyone can enjoy. Commenting Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, We are delighted to welcome Fourth Moon to our festival. Fourth Moon are an incredibly talented band and we are honoured they are part of our 2017 line up. Mr Noonan continued, The festival is jam packed over the four days, and we are proud to present classic trad music, with contemporary blends as well. There really is something for everyone at Kilkenny Tradfest and without doubt it is the place to be this St. Patrick s Day weekend.

8 Kilkenny People* Friday, 10 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 41700mm² Page 2 of 2

9 Fingal Gazette* -9- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL: DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journey into the evolving sounds o a contemporary music universe }EMMA NOLAN A CONTEMPORARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music. This year s festival runs composer Christopher and emotional intensity. Dublin for the first time Fox, German ensemble In this concert, she will in a programme of works KLANK, a major new present the Irish premiere developed by the group, immersive installation by of Kaija Saariaho s semi- KLANK create their Dublin Sound Lab com- nal masterpiece, Lonh - a own sonic universe from posers, plus a special con- beguiling work for solo a dizzying interaction cert of new international soprano and electronics, of musical techniques works developed during The concert also and cultural approaches, the festival by participat- includes recent works by where improvisation ing composers - one of festival composer Christo- collides with the musiwhom will receive this pher Fox: Sea to the West cal potential of everyday Year s Imro/Music Cur- (forsoprano and electron- objects to create uniquely forthree days at The Boys... School Sm kalle The ren* Commission award ics), which was recently inventive klang-aktionen atre from Anril 27 to 2Q of 2>500- recorded by Hilliard for (sound performances). Considered as the 7116 festival Pens with the Metier CD label, and The festival concludes Vox Electronica (at 8pm Fox s encyclopedic Cata- with Perisonic (8pm on Fringe of Irish new on Thursday, April 27), a logue Irraissonne (forsolo Saturday, April 29), a music festivals, Music programme of new works Current is now in its for ^ electronsecond year and gives a ks performed by Eliza_ platform for the newest bethhuliard contemporary electronic a pioneer of ^nusic, hosting four con- Irish contemporaiy music certs overthree days. and renowned for her This year s line-up exceptional features Irish soprano ^ effortless creativity Elizabeth Hilliard, guest soprano), a captivating large-scale immersive, meditation on language panoramic painting of and the fragility of com- Dublin, using eight loudmumcation. speakers and four large In KLANK plays video screens. KLANK (8pm on Friday, in this major collabo- April 28) Bremen-based ration, composers Scott quartet KLANK bring McLaughlin, Grainne their mad, lucid logic to Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fer-

10 Fingal Gazette* -10- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 2 of 3 gal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate. For further information, see musiccurrentie. Considered as the Fringe of IriH new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

11 Fingal Gazette* -11- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 3 of 3

12 Dublin City Gazette* -12- Circulation: Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 1 of 3 Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe FESTIVAL: DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL } EMMA NOLAN A CONTEMPORARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music. This year s festival runs for three days at The Boys School, Smock Alley Theatre, from April 27 to 29. Considered as the - Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic Jnusic, hosting four concerts over three days. This year s line-up features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers - one of whom will receive this Year s Imro/Music Current Commission award of 2,500. The festival opens with Vox Electronica (at 8pm on Thursday, April 27), a programme of new works for soprano and electronics performed by Elizabeth Hilliard. Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music and is renowned for her exceptional musicianship, effortless creativity and emotional intensity. In this concert, she will present the Irish premiere of Kaija Saariaho s seminal masterpiece, Lonh - a beguiling work for solo soprano and electronics. The concert also includes recent works by festival composer Christopher Fox: Sea to the West (for soprano and electronics), which was recently recorded by Hilliard for the Metier CD label, and Fox s encyclopedic Catalogue Irraissonne (for solo soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication. In KLANK plays KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to Dublin for the first time in a programme of works developed by the group. KLANK create their own sonic universe from a dizzying interaction of musical techniques and cultural approaches, where improvisation collides with the musical potential of everyday objects to create uniquely inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances). The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, panoramic painting of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens. In this major collaboration, composers Scott McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fergal Dowling, creative pro-

13 Dublin City Gazette* -13- Circulation: Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 2 of 3 ducer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate. Forfurther information, see musiccurrentie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

14 Dublin City Gazette* -14- Circulation: Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 3 of 3 Hilliard, KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and Michael Quinn

15 Clondalkin Gazette* -15- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe EMMA NOLAN composer Christopher and emotional intensity. Dublin for the first time Fox, German ensemble In this concert, she will in a programme of works A CONTEMPORARY KLANK> a major new present the Irish premiere developed by the group. r...,.,,., immersive installation by of Kaija Saariaho s semi- KLANK create their music festival is taking to _ OJr, J. T,..,. c,,. Dublm Sound Lab com- nal masterpiece, Lonh- a own some universe from bmock Alley 1 nestre tins,,. i ir i.,.. posers, plus a special con- beguiling work tor solo a dizzying interaction April. Music Current 2017 r.,,,.,,. r,,,, cert of new international soprano and electronics, of musical techniques is a showcase for the best,,, T.,,. x works developed dunng The concert also and cultural approaches, m new Irish and mtema-...,,,,..,,, the festival by participat- includes recent works by 3 where improvisation honal contemporary elec-.,, mg composers - one of festival composer * Christo- collides with the musitromc music.,,.,, This ear s festival runs whom Wl1 recelve thls pher Fox: Sea to the West cal potential of everyday for thread ays at The Bovs Year S Imro/Music Cur (for soprano and electron- objects to create uniquely School SmockAlleyThe rent <^omm'ss'on awar I ics), which was recently inventive klang-aktionen atre from April 27 to 29 of recorded by Hilliard for (sound performances). n -j,,, The festival opens with the Metier CD label, and The festival concludes Fringe of Irish new V X Electromca (at 8pm Fox s encyclopedic Cata- with Pensomc (8pm on music festivals'5 Music onthursday> APril 27)> a logue Irraissonne (forsolo Saturday, April 29), a... programme of newworks Current is now in its j;,,,,. for soprano and electron-! second year and gives a....., ics performed by Elizaplatform for the newest,,, TT..,,, beth Hilliard. Contemporary electromc TT..,.. r.,. Hilliard is a pioneer of usic, hosting four con- T.,,, Irish contemporary certs over three days.,., r,.. and is renowned for her This year s line-up..,. J ^ exceptional musicianteatures Irish soprano,. ^,, ship, effortless creativity Ehzabeth HiUiard, guest soprano), a captivating large-scale immersive, meditation on language panoramic painting of and the fragility of com- Dublin, using eight loudmunication. speakers and four large In KLANK plays video screens. KLANK (8pm on Friday, In this major collabo- April 28) Bremen-based ration, composers Scott quartet KLANK bring McLaughlin, Grainne their mad, lucid logic to Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fer- nrrvnwmmo /-»+ M Ql'l7Tirr»1«lrC n nnnfi.rnfi vt/t 1 1_ I 1

16 Clondalkin Gazette* -16- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 2 of 3 gal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to partici pate. Forfurther information, see musiccurrentie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

17 Clondalkin Gazette* -17- Area of Clip: 78100mm² Page 3 of 3

18 Blanch Gazette* -18- Area of Clip: 81700mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL: DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe EMMA NOLAN A CONTEMPORARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music. This year s festival runs for three days at The Boys School, Smock Alley Theatre, from April 27 to 29. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic nusic, hosting four concerts over three days. This year s line-up features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers - one of whom will receive this Year s Imro/Music Current Commission award of 2,500. The festival opens with Vox Electronica (at 8pm on Thursday, April 27), a programme of newworks for soprano and electronics performed by Elizabeth Hilliard. Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music and is renowned for her exceptional musicianship, effortless creativity and emotional intensity. In this concert, she will present the Irish premiere of Kaija Saariaho s seminal masterpiece, Lonh - a beguiling work for solo soprano and electronics. The concert also includes recent works by festival composer Christopher Fox: Sea to the West (for soprano and electronics), which was recently recorded by Hilliard for the Metier CD label, and Fox s encyclopedic Catalogue Irraissonne (for solo soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication. In KLANK plays KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to Dublin for the first time in a programme of works developed by the group. KLANK create their own sonic universe from a dizzying interaction of musical techniques and cultural approaches, where improvisation collides with the musical potential of everyday objects to create uniquely inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances). The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, panoramic painting of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens. In this major collaboration, composers Scott l *" ^^** * *

19 Blanch Gazette* -19- Area of Clip: 81700mm² Page 2 of 3 McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fergal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and compos ers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate. For further information, see musiccurrent.ie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

20 Blanch Gazette* -20- Area of Clip: 81700mm² Page 3 of 3 Artists featuring at Music Current 2017 include (from top) soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and Michael Quinn

21 Lucan Gazette* -21- Area of Clip: 78500mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe EMMA NOUN A CONTEMPORARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music. This year s festival runs for three days at The Boys School, SmockAlley Theatre, from April 27 to 29. Considered as the { Fringe of Irish new {music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest Contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days. This year s line-up features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers - one of whom will receive this Year s Imro/Music Current Commission award of 2,500. The festival opens with Vox Electronica (at 8pm on Thursday, April 27), a programme of new works for soprano and electronics performed by Elizabeth Hilliard. Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music and is renowned for her exceptional musicianship, effortless creativity and emotional intensity. In this concert, she will present the Irish premiere of Kaija Saariaho s seminal masterpiece, Lonh - a beguiling work for solo soprano and electronics. The concert also includes recent works by festival composer Christopher Fox: Sea to the West (for soprano and electronics), which was recently recorded by Hilliard for the Metier CD label, and Fox s encyclopedic Catalogue Irraissonne (for solo soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication. In KLANK plays KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to Dublin for the first time in a programme of works developed by the group. KLANK create their own sonic universe from a dizzying interaction of musical techniques and cultural approaches, where improvisation collides with the musical potential of everyday objects to create uniquely inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances). The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, panoramic painting of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens. In this major collaboration, composers Scott McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fer-

22 Lucan Gazette* -22- Area of Clip: 78500mm² Page 2 of 3 gal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to partici pate. For further information, see musiccurrentie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

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24 Dundrum Gazette* -24- Area of Clip: 77900mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journey into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe EMMA NOLAN A CONTEMPORARY music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this April. Music Current 2017 is a showcase for the best in new Irish and international contemporary electronic music. This year s festival runs forthree days at The Boys School, SmockAlley Theatre, from April 27 to 29. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a [platform for the newest ontemporary electronic usic, hosting four concerts over three days. This year s line-up features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers - one of whom will receive this Year s Imro/Music Current Commission award of 2,500. The festival opens with Vox Electronica (at 8pm on Thursday, April 27), a programme of new works for soprano and electronics performed by Elizabeth Hilliard. Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music and is renowned for her exceptional musicianship, effortless creativity and emotional intensity. In this concert, she will present the Irish premiere of Kaija Saariaho s seminal masterpiece, Lonh - a beguiling work for solo soprano and electronics. The concert also includes recent works by festival composer Christopher Fox: Sea to the West (for soprano and electronics), which was recently recorded by Hilliard for the Metier CD label, and Fox s encyclopedic Catalogue Irraissonne (for solo soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication. In KLANK plays KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to Dublin for the first time in a programme of works developed by the group. KLANK create their own sonic universe from a dizzying interaction of musical techniques and cultural approaches, where improvisation collides with the musical potential of everyday objects to create uniquely inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances). The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, ipariotamip painting of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens. In this major collaboration, composers Scott McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fer-

25 Dundrum Gazette* -25- Area of Clip: 77900mm² Page 2 of 3 gal Dowling, creative pro ducer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate. For further information, see musiccurrentie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

26 Dundrum Gazette* -26- Area of Clip: 77900mm² Page 3 of 3 Hilliard, KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and Michael Quinn

27 Dun Laoghaire Gazette* -27- Area of Clip: 79500mm² Page 1 of 3 FESTIVAL DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ARTISTS BOUND FOR SMOCK ALLEY VENUE IN APRIL Journgy into the evolving sounds of a contemporary music universe } EMMA NOLAN composer Christopher and emotional intensity. Dublin for the first time Fox, German ensemble In this concert, she will in a programme of works A CONTEMPORARY KLANK, a major new present the Irish premiere developed by the group. r.,,,.. immersive installation by of Kaija Saariaho s semi- KLANK create their music festival is taking to Smock Alley Theatre this Dublin Sound Lab com- nal masterpiece, Lonh - a own sonic universe from April Music Current 2017 Posers> Plus a special con- beguiling work for solo a dizzying interaction showcase for the best cert new international soprano and electronics, of musical techniques in new Irish and interna- works developed during The concert also and cultural approaches, tional contemporary electronic music. the festival by participat- includes recent works by where improvisation ing composers - one of festival composer Christo- collides with the musical potential of everyday This year s festival runs whom will receive this pher Fox: Sea to the West objects to create uniquely forthree days at The Boys Year s Imro/Music Cur- (for soprano and electron- School, Smock Alley The- rent Commission award ics), which was recently. a, 0-7 / on of 2,500. atre, from April 27 to 29. recorded by Hilliard for The festival opens with the Metier CD label, and Considered as the Vox Electronica (at 8pm Fox s encyclopedic Cata- Fringe of Irish new _ music festivals, Music on Thursday, April 27), a logue Irraissonne (forsolo Current is now in its programme of new works for soprano and electronid year and gives a latform for the newest ics Performed by Elizabeth Hilliard. contemporary electronic asic, hosting four con- > over three days. Hilliard is a pioneer of Irish contemporary music This year s line-up and is renowned for her features Irish soprano exceptional musician- Elizabeth Hilliard, guest ship effortless creativity soprano), a captivating meditation on language and the fragility of communication. In KLANK plays KLANK (8pm on Friday, April 28) Bremen-based quartet KLANK bring their mad, lucid logic to inventive klang-aktionen (sound performances). The festival concludes with Perisonic (8pm on Saturday, April 29), a large-scale immersive, panoramic painting of Dublin, using eight loudspeakers and four large video screens. In this major collaboration, composers Scott McLaughlin, Grainne Mulvey, Jane Deasy, Fer-

28 Dun Laoghaire Gazette* -28- Area of Clip: 79500mm² Page 2 of 3 gal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu extend Barker s vision of a 360-degree experience by reimagining a cityscape reconstructed in pure sound. Immersed in surroundsound and accompanied by video, the audience is invited to explore four singular perspectives of Dublin. Music Current 2017 also features an opportunity for the public to engage with composers through a public panel discussion at the Contemporary Music Centre Library, No 19 Fishamble Street (at 6pm on Friday, April 28). Entitled, Are You Talking to Me?, the discussion considers the relationship between listeners, performers and composers from the audience s perspective. The panel will include members of KLANK, composer Christopher Fox and other guests. Moderated by Evonne Ferguson, director of the Contemporary Music Centre, audience members and concert-goers are encouraged to participate. For further information, see musiccurrent.ie. Considered as the Fringe of Irish new music festivals, Music Current is now in its second year and gives a platform for the newest contemporary electronic music, hosting four concerts over three days

29 Dun Laoghaire Gazette* -29- Area of Clip: 79500mm² Page 3 of 3

30 Kilkenny People* Friday, 17 March 2017 Page: 9 host events for all ages, including workshops, the Bulmer s Music Trail, Ceili dances, family activities, along with the city s renowned St Patrick s Day parade, and much more. For fantastic traditional Irish musicians and dance, world-class performances as well as all the Paddy s Day festivities, Kilkenny will be the place to be this St Patrick s Day weekend 16th- 19th March. For tickets and more information see: kilkennytradfest.com -30- Circulation: Area of Clip: 40200mm² Page 1 of 1 Kilkenny Tradfest set to bring significant boost to local economy Kilkenny Tradfest, is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and this year s line-up does not disappoint. With some of the country s most acclaimed musicians and artists set to play Kilkenny on St. Patrick s Day weekend, it s not surprising that visitors are expected to descend on the city in their thousands for the renowned festival, which recently won Best Small Live Music Festival at the IMRO Venue awards. The influx of visitors to the city is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy, with people coming from all corners of the country to join in the celebration of Irish traditional and folk music. It is estimated that for every i spent on live entertainment tickets, an additional 6.06 of revenue is generated in the rest of the economy, this was the findings in a recent report, developed by IMRO and Failte Ireland, Let s celebrate which examined the economic and cultural impact of live music events. The research, which was conducted between March 2015 and February 2016, also estimated that during this period, an additional 1.3 billion was generated by live entertainment nationally, and 8,723 additional jobs were secured as a result of five entertainment only. Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson, Malcolm Noonan said that the final preparations are being made to the award-winning festival. We are really looking forward to this year s Kilkenny Tradfest, the line-up has exceeded all our expectations and it s such an honour to have so many talented and wonderful artists playing at our festival. Without doubt Kilkenny Tradfest will bring a significant boost to the local economy in Kilkenny. The IMRO/Failte Ireland report outlines that for every i spent on live entertainment tickets, the local economy will generate 6.06 of revenue, which is really astounding. We have always received so much support from local businesses in Kilkenny, and it s down to their enthusiasm that we ve managed to grow the festival for the past five years. We want to continue to build on this, and with a collective effort we think we can make Kilkenny, Ireland s top festival destination, he added. Kilkenny Tradfest will take place over St. Patrick s Day and is accessible to everyone with both free and ticketed events and something for the whole family to enjoy. Making his debut appearance at Kilkenny Tradfest, Paul Brady s performance will be amongst the highlights of this year s music festival. Paul will take centre stage within the stunning setting of St. Canice s Cathedral on Thursday (March 16) and tickets are now available from Rollercoaster Records and on ticketmaster.ie Other highlights of this year s Kilkenny Tradfest include Ushers Island, Eleanor McEvoy, The Voice Squad, Pauline Scanlon, Heidi Talbot, Declan Sinnott, Mohsen Amini and Fourth Moon, plus breakout Irish traditional and folk band Beoga1 who have recently recorded two tracks for Ed Sheeran s new album, Divide. The five-day festival will Heidi Talbot who will play at Cleere's Theatre on March 18 as part of Tradfest

31 Wexford Echo* Tuesday, 7 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 30700mm² Page 1 of 2 Opera House scoops Live Music Venue award MORE ACCOLADES came the late Frank Murray (mantheway of Wexford's Nation- ager for Thin Lizzy and The al Opera House last week Pogues) who sadly passed when the acclaimed High away in December Street venue was The award was presented announced as the winner of to Frank s daughter Shannon Murray. the 2016 IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year Performances on the award. night came from Soule, The award, which was by Jafaris and Overhead, The public vote, was presented Albatross. at the much anticipated Plot Press Editor Niall ninth IMRO awards ceremony held in the Irish Music commendations, present- Stokes also gave special Rights Organisation Headquarters in Dublin and was Theatre, Dublin / Mike The ing awards to The Olympia hosted by loede s Paddy Pies, Listowel and Boyle's of McKenna. Slane. Of the annual awards which were voted by over 11,500 IMRO members, Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive said: "A strong live music circuit is the lifeblood of a vibrant music industry. "It is important that we acknowledge those venue owners and festivals promoters whose commitment, passion and support for live music throughout the country enables music creators to continue making the music we all enjoy. Other winners in the regional categories include Dublin - Vicar Street, Rest of Leinster - Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny, Connacht The Quays, Galway, Munster - Coughlan s, Cork, Ulster - Voodoo, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Cllr. Davy Hynes, Leonard Kelly (Quiz Master) and Tom Harpur working hard at the Good 2 Also nabbing accolades pan* QUjz m the Talbot Hotel. Pic: Nicola Reddy, for IMRO Music Festival of the Year and IMRO Small Live Music Festival 2016 were Sea Sessions and Kilkenny Tradfest respectively. The Olympia Theatre picked up the award for IMRO Tech Crew of the Year. The IMRO Outstanding Contribution to Live Music accolade was awarded to

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33 Munster Express - Encore* Tuesday, 7 March 2017 Page: Circulation: 5389 Area of Clip: 22000mm² Page 1 of 1 Liam Murphy casts an eye on the local theatre scene. LIAM MURPHY REPORTS entertainmentramunster-express.ie Steel Magnolias Ger Cody and the Watergate Theatre Kilkenny are on a roll at the moment. They got a one-off grant from the Government of 81,858 in the Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme (Garter Lane got 54,000). They were also Best Live Music Venue in the rest of Leinster category (excluding Dublin) in the ninth annual IMRO awards. To add to this success, Watergate Productions presented a wonderful version of Robert Harling s Steel Magnolias. Expertly directed by Don O Connor, a six-woman ensemble cast touched the lives of an appreciative audience who were caught up in the drama. They were like emotional putty in the thrall of a cast who gossiped, bantered and comforted each other in a small-town beauty shop in Chinquapin, Louisiana, that was a metaphor or a touchstone for shared sympathy and universal empathy. The late eighties setting was well realised by John O Donoghue s excellent set design. Central to the story was Shelby as she arrived to get glammed up for her wedding. She was beautiful and mercurial, full of hopes for happiness and fulfilment and she makes light of her diabetes in her wish to give birth. Elaine O Hara was luminous and fragile in this role and the audience took her to their hearts in a way only live theatre can achieve. Claire Gibbs was powerful and quietly supportive as her concerned mother, M Lynn and she evoked spontaneous applause for a powerful emotional outburst towards the end of the play. You knew that these six characters lives were entwined with each other and you believed the wonderful rapport shown time and again in this production. Colette Browne played the Earth Mother/Big Momma, Truvy who owned the beauty shop and you felt you could tell her your secrets and share your troubles. This was a performance to bask in and enjoy. Cathy Lawler played Clairee, a recent widow who coped so well and her development through the play was a joy and a triumph. Truvy took in the emotional stray in search of a job. Annelle was played with such skill by Maeve O Flynn who grew in confidence and spirituality in a way that struck the right note, rather than be an ersatz cypher. Ann Hurley played the scene-stealing Ouiser, the tough as teak, loud, mouthy, opinionated take no prisoners and suffer no fools realist. Like the others, she changed as the play progressed. At times you wanted to thump her as Clairee said take a whack at Ouiser but by the end the emotional transformation was wonderful and life affirming. What a performance. Kilkenny Musical Society will present Parade by Jason Robert Brown at the Watergate, directed by Christine Scarry with David Hayes as musical director. The late Bryan Flynn had planned to do Parade at the Cork Opera House before his untimely death. This musical dramatizes the 1913 trial of a Jewish factory manager, Leo Frank who was accused of murdering a thirteen-year-old employee of the pencil factory, Mary Phagan. The work has large emotive and dramatic scenes echoing the American Civil War and includes rabid anti- Semitism and the birth of the Anti-Defamation League (Jewish Civil Rights) as well as the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. It runs from April 2nd to 8th.

34 Carlow Courier* Tuesday, 7 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 9500mm² Page 1 of 1 Top three national spot for local singer/songwriter CARLOW hosted this year s Pan Celtic National Song Contest with local teen Tadhg 6 Grifin taking the third spot. The 18 finalists from across the country, including three from Carlow, performed live before an audience of more than 300 and the judging panel of Seathrun 6 Casaide of the legendary Na Casadaigh family group from Donegal, RTE producer Brian Pairceir and traditional singer Deirdre Nig Eanruig. The Pan Celtic trophy and top prize of 1,000 went to Emer O Flaherty of Ennis for her composition Taibhse. Emer will be back in Carlow on Thursday, 22nd April to perform her winning song. She will be representing Ireland at the Pan Celtic International Song Contest, competing against the entries from the other participating Celtic nations of Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and The Isle of Man. The judges were extremely impressed by the high standard of the entries and were visibly moved by the professional delivery of all finalists, the organisers said. A big cheer went up from the Seven Oaks Hotel audience when local young singer/songwriter Tadhg was declared for 3rd prize and received 100 for his composition Abhainn an Ghra. Meabh Ni Bheaglaoich of the Begley family from West Kerry picked up 2nd prize and 200 for her song Amhran na ngael. The gala event was sponsored by IMRO, Gael Linn and Pan Celtic while raffle sponsors included Dan Morrissey & Co Ltd, Carlow Tomism and Seven Oaks Hotel.

35 Dungarvan Observer* Friday, 10 March 2017 Page: Circulation: Area of Clip: 34800mm² Page 1 of 1 NuadSrs are scheduled to play Kilkenny Tradfest 2017 over four I nights from Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th March at Matt the Miller s, John St Lower, Kilkenny. Nuadan are a four piece band from the West Waterford Gaeitacht, An Rlnn. The band is made up of the remaining members of a band that won the presti- * i gious Siansa Gael Linn Competition in the 1 National Concert hall in They play tunes and songs in both Irish and English as well as sing local sean-n6s songs from An Rlnn with arrangements. The band s 'b scheduled gigs at Kilkenny Tradfest are free and not to be missed! Kilkenny Tradfest, which is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary has again exceeded all expectations, with some of the country s most influential and acclaimed musicians set to play in Kilkenny City over the St Patrick s Day weekend (16th - 19th March). Bulmers is once again the title sponsor at the festival and this years highlights include; Paul Brady (2017 headline act), Eleanor McEvoy, hers Island, Pauline Scanlon, Declan Sinnott & Vickie Keating, The Voice Squad, Mohsen Amfni and Fourth Moon, plus breakout Irish traditional and folk band iga who have recently recorded two tracks for Ed Sheeran s hotly anticipated new album, Divide. Kilkenny Tradfest was recently awarded Best Small Live Music Festival at this i year s imro Live Music Venue of the Year 1 Awards. The festival proudly showcases the very best of Irish traditional and folk music, in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city. This year s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with both free and ticketed events., there s something everyone can enjoy. Commenting Malcolm Noonan, Kilkenny Tradfest Chairperson said, We are delighted to welcome Nuadan to our festival. Nuadan are an incredibly talented band and we are honoured that they are part of our 2017 line up. Mr. Noonan continued, The festival is jam packed over the four days, and we are proud to present classic trad music, with contemporary blends as well. There really is something for everyone at Kilkenny Tradfest and without doubt it is the place to be this St. Patrick s Day weekend. For the full schedule, with information on tickets please visit; kilkennytradfest.com