Faoin Spéir initiative starts with three nights of live music
Longford County Council in partnership with Backstage Theatre and Republic of Culture
9 August 2021
Are you ready for even more great live music in Longford this August? Longford County Council, in partnership with Backstage Theatre and Republic of Culture is delighted to welcome Faoin Spéir to Longford – an exciting new arts programme funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and Longford County Council - that will run over the next nine months. It kicks off with three nights of live music in Connolly Barracks over the weekend of Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August 2021.
On Friday 20 August, The Four of Us take to the stage alongside special guest Paddy Casey. On Saturday 21 August, attendees will be treated to a powerful double bill of songsmith Luka Bloom and Cathy Davey. And on Sunday 22 August, if you want to be entertained, homegrown hero and hooley legend Declan Nerney takes the stage.
Longford County Council is being expertly supported for Faoin Spéir by partners Backstage Theatre and the project is being co-ordinated by Shane Crossan from Republic of Culture.
Welcoming the news of more music for Longford in the open air, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Peggy Nolan said “It’s been so long since people have been able to freely enjoy live music and the music on offer in Longford this August is fantastic. It’s on a par with any other acclaimed local festivals and I know people are really enjoying it. Faoin Spéir is yet another great initiative that makes Longford the place to be this summer and will continue over the next nine months.”
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon paid tribute to all involved. “Longford County Council is delighted to support the arts sector and the entertainment industry by giving opportunity to local artists under the Live and Local initiative and by bringing large acts to Longford under the Faoin Spéir programme.”
All concerts are seated, ticketed and will observe current public health guidelines. Tickets are €20 each and can be booked through Backstage Theatre Longford. Tel: 043 33 47888 or www.backstage.ie
Faoin Spéir (under the sky) is an Arts Council programme designed to support artists create ambitious work in outdoor public spaces. Longford was one of only 13 counties to be successfully granted funding. The winning application by Longford Arts Office is based on delivering four ambitious arts projects over the next nine months. The projects are thematically connected to the heritage of Connolly Barracks and include live music concerts, an outdoor theatre production, a lantern sculpture installation and a children’s storytelling project.
THE LINE UP
The Four of Us:
Founded in Newry, brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy found fame as The Four Of Us in 1989 with their debut album “Songs for the Tempted". It featured alternative rock anthem “Drag My Bad Name Down" and “Mary" and went double platinum, beating U2 to album of the year in the Irish Music Awards pushing The Four Of Us into the fast lane to international acclaim as one of Irelands best rock outfits.
Paddy Casey:
Starting out busking on the streets of Galway and Dublin, Crumlin-born Paddy Casey shot to stardom with his debut album “Amen, So Be It". With strong soul influences and folk nuances, Casey’s song writing led him to stellar heights with his chart topping “Saints and Sinners" and “Sweet Suburban Sky" prompting consecutive “Best Irish Male" awards in 2004 and 2005. Off the back of his newly released “Turn This Ship Around", Paddy Casey joins The Four of Us August 20th as their special guest.
Luka Bloom:
Luka Bloom was touring the UK folk scene by the age of 14 and had his songs covered by his contemporaries as early as 1972. Mastering his craft of song and sound over a 40-year tenure, Luka Bloom has become one of Irelands most celebrated singer songwriters. His albums “Treaty Stone" and “Keeper of the Flame" are considered must-own albums for any self-proclaimed songwriter. Bloom effortlessly shifts from a folkish bravado to a soulful and ambient artist in the wink of an eye. One of Ireland’s most celebrated songwriters, he can reimagine songs of any genre and make them feel brand new.
Cathy Davey:
“Something Ilk" was released by Cathy Davey in 2004 and was met with fanfare and praise from artists such as Blur's Graham Coxon and Supergrass. Her follow up “Tales of Silversleeve" (2007) was awarded five stars by the Irish Independent and gained her nominations for 2008 Best Female Artist and Album of the Year at the Meteor Music Awards. “Nameless" features Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy and was the best-selling album in Ireland on the week of its release. “Reuben", “Moving" and “Sing for Your Supper" are among just a handful of her expertly composed alternative pop anthems. Join us for her performance at Faoin Spéir this August 21st.
Declan Nerney:
Declan Nerney is Longford’s most celebrated son and rightly so. Growing up in Drumlish at the tail end of the 60s meant Nerney was influenced by the British ‘invasion’ of The Hollies, The Rolling Stones and The Who while also taking inspiration from American Country superstars like Hank Williams, Buck Owens and Martyn Robbins. Meanwhile the Irish Showband scene entranced the youth of Ireland and Declan was no exception. Quickly becoming an accomplished guitarist Nerney found himself joining Gene Stuart and Brian Coll as part of their already established bands before forging his own solo career and becoming an international star renowned for his inimitable voice and on-stage persona. “Stop The World and Let Me Off" has become an anthem for most country and showbands and a cult classic in other fields. Declan has only gone from strength to strength with successful album after successful album and will bring his foot tapping and hand clapping show to the Longford Connolly Barracks on August 22nd.
Faoin Spéir Longford is a public arts initiative developed by Longford County Council in partnership with Backstage Theatre Longford funded through the Arts Council Ireland’s Faoin Spéir programme.
ENDS
All media queries should be directed to Longford County Council Communications Officer Denise Canavan on mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or 043 33 43362.
