Latest news with #SligoLive
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Festivals running the risk of closing as call goes out for more funding from Fáilte Ireland
And, Cllr Thomas Walsh claimed that Fáilte Ireland were 'asleep at the wheel' as it has only given Sligo County Council a 'paltry €26,000' to run local festivals in the past five years. Cllr Walsh, who is involved with the Ballygawley Music Festival and Sligo Live, said festivals were hanging by a thread. He was speaking amid fears for the independent festival scene, after Sea Sessions in Bundoran announced it isn't going ahead this year, while a liquidator was appointed to the company behind the Wild Roots Festival in Sligo last year and is no more. Meanwhile, Barry O'Neill organiser of the hugely popular Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshanon has expressed fears for its future. Cllr Walsh said: 'There was a small bit of support for events over Covid but then inflation kicked in post Covid, and nothing was put in place for live festival events. 'So, costs have skyrocketed, and it is something I have been highlighting for years and the whole events thing is hanging on by a thread. 'This is because of huge increased costs, and I know from Ballygawley Music Festival in July and Sligo Summer Festival who were hoping to run a second weekend on the August Bank Holiday Weekend, but it was not possible because it would cost them an extra €70,000 to run a second weekend. 'Sligo Live and Cairde and our own festival are very successful, but our costs in Ballygawley are up on €120,000 which includes insurance, operational costs, site set up costs, energy costs and the cost of the acts have gone up because of the knock- on effects of the increase in the price of fuel for travel and their insurance has gone up too. 'All of that is passed on to the festivals and the organisers are forced to pass that on to the price of the ticket which is regrettable but necessary,' he said. Cllr Walsh added that nine smaller festivals collapsed in 2024, and the UK has the same problem where 60 folded last year. ADVERTISEMENT He added that another factor impacting was the huge crowds attending headline acts in Croke Park, the Aviva or other major venues. 'These massive artists sell out venues, but they are portraying a false economy because people are saving their money for the big festivals and not supporting the smaller ones.' Cllr Walsh was critical of Fáilte Ireland. 'Its budget from the State last year was €140m and all they give Sligo County Council for events in the county is a mere €26,000. That would not pay for a marquee, insurance etc 'Ballygawley gets €4,000 from Fáilte Ireland for an event that costs €120,000, so it would not cover even the toilet facilities.' 'But they do good work in terms of capital spending and Queen Maeve Square would not be there only for Failte Ireland and Strandhill Surf Centre of Excellence, so they are doing well on the capital side. 'But they are not supporting live is a three night festival and 5,000 people were there last year. Cllr Walsh added that Irish Public Bodies IPB who supply insurance and public liability for all Council offices and State facilities, could open it up to live events and it would take the cost away from the operator. 'I believe the State should take over the insurance via IPB which is their own insurance policy.' 'Fáilte Ireland should be made increase the funding to local authorities and I am talking about events of 500 and over and less than 5,000. '€26,000 is a kick in the teeth for Sligo festivals and €100,000 per local authority would not be out of the way and that is the reality of it. 'It would just get their heads above water and festivals are in survival mode all over the country. Cllr Walsh added that culture and arts were the backbone of our economy. 'There is a huge knock- on benefit for Sligo from all these festivals so they should be supported. 'Fáilte Ireland is the vehicle for tourism, and they talk about supporting visitor attractions and festivals but really they are not supporting festivals. 'Unless there is an injection of cash into these festivals more of them are going to collapse.'
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Jools Holland set for a Sligo return in June 2026
Jools and his band will be playing their signature blend of R'n'B, Rock and Roll and Jazz, featuring Roachford on vocals as well as regular guests Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka. This special all-seated Knocknarea Arena ATU Sligo concert takes place outside of Sligo Live's usual festival period, on Saturday 6th June 2026. Tickets are €67.50 + €3 s.c. At the age of 15, Jools Holland was introduced to Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford he joined Squeeze, followed by Gilson Lavis shortly afterwards. Gilson, (who still drums with Jools), had already played with, among others, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Max Wall. Up The Junction and Cool For Cats gave Squeeze meteoric success and their popularity rapidly extended to America, where their tour included performances at New York's Madison Square Garden. In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis. This has gradually metamorphosed into the current 19-piece Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones. Jools' career as a television presenter has run parallel to his musical career. Between 1988 and 1990, Jools performed in and co-hosted (with David Sanborn) two seasons of an acclaimed music performance programme, Night Music, on NBC. After presenting two series of Juke Box Jury in 1989 and then 26 shows of The Happening in 1990, Jools was asked in 1992 to host a new music programme for BBC2, which combined his talent and experience as a musician with his skills as a TV presenter. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more This was Later... with Jools Holland. The show has reawakened the innovative spirit of The Tube and has just completed its 65thseries, whilst Jools' Annual Hootenanny will celebrate its 32nd year. Jools' special guest, Andrew Roachford, is one of the UK's most compelling and enduring rock & soul artists, ever since his hit Cuddly Toy (a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades) topped the UK charts in 1988. He also spent time as a member of supergroup, Mike + the Mechanics, who enjoyed a string of charting singles. Roachford has released 10 studio albums and several greatest hits collections, been sought-after as a songwriter by the likes of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan, and consistently toured on his own and with contemporaries including Terence Trent D'Arby and The Christians. In 2019, Andrew received an MBE for Services to Music. Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Tickets are €67.50 plus fees and are available Friday June 13 2025, online at and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518 from the Hawk's Well box office and from
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sligo Live Festival confirm another headline show as Canadian Americana and folk artist Frazey Ford confirmed
Tickets are on sale from Thursday, May 29, online from and in person or by phone 0719161518 from Hawk's Well Theatre's box office. Sligo Live urge fans to book early to select the best seats and avoid disappointment. Frazey Ford is one of Canada's most distinctive voices, a singer-songwriter whose music defies easy categorization. Emerging as a founding member of the folk trio The Be Good Tanyas, Ford helped pioneer a roots revival in the early 2000s that blending Americana, folk, and alt-country. Her solo career has taken her into new territory. Ford's 2010 debut 'Obadiah' introduced listeners to a more soulful, introspective side of her artistry, fusing folk with slow-burning Southern soul. She followed it with Indian Ocean in 2014, recorded in Memphis with members of Al Green legendary Hi Rhythm section. Frazey Ford's third album, 'U kin B the Sun', is a luminous, defiant work that deals with themes of transformation, healing, and inner strength. Her lyrics speak to both personal and political awakenings, delivered with a voice that's both intimate and soaring. Whether she's channelling soul, folk, or R&B, she delivers songs that feel lived-in, real, and rooted in the complexity of human experience. At turns ecstatic and heavy-hearted, gloriously shambolic and deeply purifying, 'U kin B the Sun' is the outcome of a certain personal transformation that Ford has experienced in recent years. 'I used to speak more in metaphors, but this album came out in a much more raw and direct way,' she says. 'I'd say that's a result of being more in my body and more in touch with the wholeness of anger, with taking up space and having boundaries. On this record I freed myself from the folk-writing format, and it's been a whole different exploration for me.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Frazey Ford Tickets are €34.00 plus fees and are available on-line at and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518 from the Hawk's Well box office. Frazey Ford joins a Sligo Live Festival line-up which includes, Sharon Shannon Big Band with guests, Steve Earle, Mundy, Camile O'Sullivan and Liam O Maonlaí in the Knocknarea Arena Oct 25th at 8.30pm. Steve N Seagulls with guests, Jaywalkers, in the Hawk's Well Oct 24th at 8.00pm. Joel Dommett – 'Happy Idiot', in the Hawk's Well on Oct 25th. Mary Gauthier with guest, Jaimee Harris, in the Hawk's Well Oct 26th at 8.00pm and Daniel Herskedal from Norway play a very special afternoon Hawk's Well show at 3pm on Oct 26th. Ye Vagabonds with guest, Niamh Bury, in the Hawk's Well Nov 1st at 8.00pm.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle and Mundy among first acts for twentieth Sligo Live
Much loved folk and traditional artist, Sharon Shannon, brings her 'Big Band' show to Sligo Live Festival 2025, with a host of outstanding guests, Steve Earle, Mundy, Camile O'Sullivan and Liam Ó Maonlaí, joining band members including Gerry O'Connor, Richie Buckley and Alan Connor. in a very special Knocknarea Arena ATU show on Saturday, October 25 at 8.30 pm. Plus, Sligo Live will feature two Hawk's Well shows on Sunday, October 26th. A special afternoon concert sees the return of the amazing Norwegian Daniel Herskedal Trio at 3 pm, followed by an 8pm concert by Americana star, Mary Gauthier and her special guest Jaimee Harris. Tickets for all three shows are available now on-line from and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518 from the Hawk's Well box office. Following the overwhelming success of her Shane MacGowan tribute, The Sharon Shannon Big Band returns with another powerful and heartfelt production. This October, Sharon and her extraordinary ensemble of musicians and singers—including the legendary Steve Earle, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Mundy and Camille O'Sullivan—celebrate Ireland's world-famous musical tradition. Drawing from the rich anthology of Irish music and the traditions it has inspired, this show is a vibrant journey through the songs that define us: songs of love and heartache, emigration and longing, resilience and rebellion, and the timeless beauty of Ireland's landscapes. The ensemble breathes new life into cherished old ballads while giving fresh treatments to beloved classics. A special highlight of the evening will see Sharon, Mundy, and Steve Earle come together on stage to perform the world-famous 'Galway Girl'—a rare moment uniting the artists who each helped make the song a global sensation. Joining Sharon on stage will be an exceptional line-up of musicians, including Alan Connor, Richie Buckley, and Gerry O'Connor, who each bring their own artistry to create a performance that is intimate and unforgettable. Together, they blend the spirit of traditional Irish music with contemporary creativity, honouring the legacy of our song tradition with power and grace. This is more than a concert -it's a celebration of who we are as a people, and an invitation to experience the deep emotional resonance of Ireland's music. From the poignant strains of our ballads to the raucous joy of our reels and jigs, this show will stir your soul and lift your spirits. Join The Sharon Shannon Big Band and Guests for an unforgettable evening that bridges past and present, capturing the very heart of Irish life and culture. In a co-promotion with Music Network and Sligo Jazz Project on the afternoon of Sunday 26th October, prepare to be transported into the extraordinary soundworld of Norwegian composer and brass virtuoso Daniel Herskedal. A true innovator of the tuba and bass trumpet, Herskedal's music is cinematic, deeply expressive, and unlike anything you've heard before. Joined by the incredibly talented Helge Lien on piano and master percussionist Andreas Norbakken, this world-class trio returns to Sligo following a 2022 Sligo Jazz Project performance described by Nils Kavanagh, Young Jazz Musician of that year, as 'truly inspiring and uplifting. A scintillating performance'. Herskedal has beguiled audiences across Europe with his groundbreaking compositions, pushing the boundaries of his instruments to the limit. His genre-spanning work includes award-winning jazz recordings, major film scores, and creative collaborations that boldly navigate uncharted waters. Later on Bank Holiday Sunday, October 26th at 8.00pm in Hawk's Well, Sligo Live present an intimate evening with Americana and Alt-Country singer-songwriter, Mary Gauthier, with very special guest, Jamiee Harris. What lesbian moves to Nashville at 40 to start a troubadour career? Who goes from playing open mics to playing the Newport Folk Festival within a year? It's been 25 years since Mary Gauthier, now revered songwriter, released her groundbreaking debut album 'Drag Queens in Limousines'. Eighteen months later, the response was so incredible that she hung up her chef's coat, moved to Nashville, and started to make her mark as an exciting new voice in the songwriting world. 'Drag Queens in Limousines' is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It turns out, that's all of us at one time or another. By writing about what matters most to her, having the courage to sing what's often too hard for us to say, and delivering the work authentically, Mary Gauthier opened the gate and widened the path that many who came after her have travelled. Recently, Mary's classic song 'Mercy Now' featured on the major Netflix series 'Yellowstone'. Join us in celebrating twenty-five years of the unique, courageous songs of Mary Gauthier. Mary's very special guest, Jaimee Harris, is poised to become the next queen of Americana-Folk, a slightly edgier Emmylou Harris for the younger generation. Her new album draws comparisons to Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, and Kathleen Edwards – all writers who know how to craft a heartbreakingly beautiful song with just enough grit to keep you enthralled. Harris writes about the basic human experience, in a way that is simple, poetic, and often painfully relatable. General admission standing tickets for Sharon Shannon Big Band are €49.00 plus €3.00 fees and €4.00 plus €3.00 fees for limited reserved seating. Daniel Herskedal are €18.00 plus €2.00 fees. Mary Gauthier Tickets are €29.50 plus €2 fees and all are available on-line now at and in person or by phone (071) 916 1518.
