Venue: Facebook and YouTube
Date: 22 August 2021 at 1pm
Price: Free
Galway Music Residency presents a digital version of its renowned multi-genre series Friday 20 to Sunday 22 August. 3 Kinds of Music has been one of the many Covid casualties depriving Galway audiences of a tasting menu of classical, jazz, folk and traditional music. Curated by music mastermind Matthew Berrill, the digital edition will feature some of Ireland’s best emerging and established musicians in pop-up gigs throughout the weekend.
The weekend concludes on Sunday 22 August with a moving performance from Galway singer/songwriter Niamh Regan, who is joined by ConTempo Quartet, Aoife Burke and Matthew Berrill for a stunning finale. All performances, which were filmed in The Mick Lally Theatre by Salty Productions will be available to enjoy for free on Facebook and YouTube at 1pm each day. Donations welcome.
Galway artist Niamh Regan has long been lauded as one of Ireland’s most promising folk talents. The Irish Times described her teenage demos as “bursting with potential” and at seventeen this precocious folksinger won a Paul Brady Blás scholarship to study flute and guitar in the University of Limerick. Here she formed the trad/ bluegrass band Juhn Echo and once again drew plaudits from The Irish Times who highlighted “Niamh Regan’s stunning vocals”.
After completing a degree in music, Niamh released her debut solo EP Tried To in 2017 and follow up single What To Do in 2018 earning gushing praise from the likes of Hotpress (“beautifully crafted... captivating”) and Nialler9 (“a timbre that is commanding and wise”). Extensive airplay from RTE Radio 1 and Folk Radio UK soon followed along with high profile slots at Electric Picnic, Body & Soul and Knockanstockan.
But who is Niamh Regan now? Comparisons with contemporary artists such as Laura Marling, Lisa Hannigan, This Is The Kit and Sarah Jarosz have popped up regularly in the UK and Irish press, while discerning critics detect the influence of Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, Paul Brady and Karen Dalton. One thing is for sure: with the release of debut album 'Hemet', Niamh Regan is about to carve out her own niche in the world of contemporary folk music and fulfill the potential she showed as a teenager. 'Hemet' is an album full of musical accomplishment, emotional maturity and subtle craft. It is the long awaited arrival of a truly immense talent.
Galway Music Residency is supported by NUI Galway (education partner), the Arts Council, Galway City Council and Galway County Council.