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The Acoustic Yard Singer/Songwriters Festival Westport 2017

May 5, 2017 - May 7, 2017

€12 – €20

Tickets are now on sale for the IMRO sponsored ‘The 2nd Acoustic Yard Singer/Songwriters Festival Westport’ on May 5th – May 7th.

Headlining this year will be Duke Special & Ulaid with special guest Jack O’Rourke on Saturday May 6th at the Town Hall Theatre.

When contemporary songwriting and traditional music meet, the results can be something to be treasured. Such is the case with the collaboration between folk supergroup, Ulaid, and singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Duke Special. The project called ‘The Belfast Suite’ draws on Duke Special’s songwriting skills, from pre-rock’n’roll to modern acoustic pop. He injects drama and theatricality, bringing storytelling to the fore with meditative twists and turns amid the melodic architecture. Ulaid’s mixture of skills in arrangement, interpretation, composition and performance lend a peculiarly folk-but-modern, urban-but-pastoral air to the whole. For a collaboration that may have seemed unlikely in theory, proves itself thoroughly in practice; when heard, it somehow seems inevitable.

The lone figure of Jack O’Rourke seated at a piano is one that Irish gig goers are becoming more accustomed to seeing. Whether performing startlingly honest ballads solo or driving Spectorish rock with his versatile band, Jack’s plaintive baritone and piano are core. An insightful lyricist and powerful live performer, Jack O’Rourke began 2016 in the manner in which he finished 2015 – a growing national profile with TV and radio appearances and critical acclaim, alongside the first tracks from his approaching debut album.

Also at the Town Hall there will be a special concert celebrating 250 years anniversary of Westport called ‘250 years of Westport Song’ on Friday May 5th. The concert celebrate some of the great songs and songwriters to grace the bars, cafes and stages of Westport over the years.

Artists include John Hoban, Tony Reidy, Johnny Fadgin, Connie Cullen, Brian Duffy, Finn Upbeat Costello, Rosa May Kinsella and many more.These celebrated artists have helped to create and continue the town’s musical heritage .There will be stories and visual footage to enjoy as we look back through the years of Westport’s songs….and musical history.

There are a host of other concerts throughout the weekend with artists like Nick Kelly ( ex-Fat Lady Sings frontman) Cormac O’Caoimh, Paul McDonnell, Kate O’Callaghan, Pa Curran, Davie Furey and many more…

Declan’s Sessions will roll up in their van to record some of the acts for social media and there’s a chance for new artists to join in the open mics and workshops available.

Details

Start:
May 5, 2017
End:
May 7, 2017
Cost:
€12 – €20
Event Category:
Website:
www.theacousticyard.com

Venue

Town Hall Theatre
Octagon, Cahernamart
Westport, Ireland
+ Google Map
View Venue Website

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