Sligo’s annual festival of music, art, and film, Spilt Milk Festival, returns to Sligo this weekend 17th – 19th November and the full schedule has been announced, along with some new additions to the line-up. Curated by Binder and commissioned by The Model, the festival celebrates its fifth edition in 2023.
This year sees the biggest programme to date, with over 20 scheduled performances and events encompassing experimental, electronic, and folk artists, along with art installations, screenings, and workshops, within the unique settings of The Model, Sligo.
Previously announced music acts include, Moundabout, Elaine Howley, E The Artist, Natalia Beylis, Rising Damp, Cáit, Crying Loser, and more. The new music additions include Coolgirl, the stage name for Lizzie Fitzpatrick who blends found sounds with heavy synthesizer melodies to create a dark and emotional immersion; and Secret Sonic Cinémathèque, an ensemble of musicians, comprising of permanent members Andrew Mooney and Diarmuid MacDiarmada supplemented by local luminaries Owen Kilfeather and Tara Baoth Mooney who will perform live, part-improvised scores for short silent films. Andrew Eager completes the group as Master of Ceremonies and projectionist.
This year’s festival weekend also sees an eclectic programme of visual and literary art and special events Audiences are invited to explore Sligo town through a walking trail and zine. The Seven Wonders of Sligo is a zine which uncovers true stories of Sligo’s paranormal history. Cryptids, moaning murals and kappas all feature in this ground-breaking work of paranormal scholarship.
Specially commissioned for the festival by Faerie Lord, a Sligo based collective of paranormal researchers and zine makers. Its members are Wyrd Caldron, Hexlord and Technopagan. They will be appearing at Pulled Studio to launch the zine on Saturday 18 November.
You will NOT meet the authors because they are being kept anonymous for your protection, but you will be able to pick up a copy of Seven Wonders of Sligo, along with free zines and enjoy a special DJ set by dangerous alien creature and collective mascot ‘Faerie Road’ themselves.
Loose on the Streets, an installation by Karen Browett will be presented on Saturday evening within The Model. The video work acts as a callback to the 2022 festival design created by Karen, which in turn grew from this film. Karen takes us on a riotous ride exploring life after lockdown in a personal and playful video piece saturated in the punk aesthetic.
Artist Ruth Clinton provides an introduction to Suminagashi or “floating ink” workshop, the process of marbling plain paper with water and ink which yields beautiful and surprising patterns, ranging from simple to complex. This will take place on Sunday 19th offering a relaxing and fun activity to unwind to as the festival draws to a close.
The BRRR BRRR BRRR Record and Tape Fair will pop up at Pulled Studio over two days with live DJs, original pressings, and second-hand deals, celebrating independent record shops, labels, and producers on the island of Ireland. A must for any crate-diggers!
Spilt Milk 2023 Timetable:
Friday 17th Nov
The Model | Doors 18:30
19:00 – Big Tears
19:45 – Some Remain
20:30 – Natalia Beylis
21:15 – Fiend
22:00 – Rising Damp
Saturday 18th Nov
Pulled Studio
12:00 – Seven Wonders of Sligo by Faerie Lord: Zine launch
13:00-19:00 – BRRR BRRR BRRR Record & Tape Fair
Serious Business
15:00 – Secret Sonic Cinémathèque
The Model | Doors 18:30
19:00-22:00 – Loose on the Streets by Karen Browett
19:00 – Nimf
19:45 – Coolgirl
20:30 – Mohammad Syfkhan
21:15 – Crying Loser
22:00 – Moundabout
22:45 – E The Artist
23:15 – Cáit
Sunday 19th Nov
The Model
Education Room
12:00-14:00 – Junior Jam: Den Building workshop and performance with The Clumsy Giantess
Atrium
12:00-14:00 – Suminagashi workshop with Ruth Clinton
Theatre | Doors – 3pm
15:15 – White Sage
16:00 – Dream Alfalfa
17:00 – Elaine Howley
Pulled Studio
13:00-19:00 – BRRR BRRR BRRR Record & Tape Fair
For full programme details, and tickets, visit: http://spiltmilkfestival.com/
Weekend pass €35 / €17.50 (u21s). Individual event tickets also available.
Spilt Milk 2023 is commissioned by The Model, with support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Failte Ireland, Sligo County Council and IMRO.
Twitter – https://twitter.com/SpiltMilkFest
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/spiltmilkfest
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/spiltmilkfestival/
