Star-studded line up features Adrianne Lenker, Martin Hayes, Sarah Crean, Lemoncello, TraviS & Elzzz, Oisín Leech, Uly, EFÉ, Mohammad Syfkhan, Moncrieff and more performing in prestigious heritage sites across Ireland
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Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural series of Anam – Songs for Hearts & Minds, Other Voices and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are thrilled to announce its return this May, with a host of extraordinary Irish and international acts set to grace intimate historical stages around the country.
The brand new four-part series will bring together a dynamic and diverse group of artists, delivering inspiring live sets in some of Ireland’s most prestigious National Monuments and Heritage Properties.
From Dublin’s beautiful Pearse Museum in St Enda’s Park and the 17th century Parke’s Castle on the northern shores of Lough Gill in Leitrim to Carrick-on-Suir’s Elizabethan manor house of Ormond Castle and Jacobean Manor House Portumna Castle in County Galway – these breathtaking Irish landmarks will operate as ethereal backdrops for this year’s Anam performances.
Kicking off at 8pm on Thursday 9 May in Carrick-on-Suir, the series will be presented by MayKay and aims to celebrate established musicians and newly discovered acts. The eclectic lineup boasts a showcase of Irish rising stars, from Waterford’s breakout pop act Moncrieff, Dublin polymath Uly and AWAL-signed viral sensation Sarah Crean to the ferociously creative EFÉ.
There will also be a huge Other Voices debut from history making drill duo TraviS & Elzzz who recently beat out Ariana Grande to land an Irish number one album with their explosive second mixtape ‘DOGHOUSE’.
Traditional, blues and folk genres are never sidelined at Other Voices, with gifted multi-instrumentalist Martin Hayes performing with Kate Ellis, plus Bláth na hÓige’s Piaras Ó Lorcáin joining the lineup. Muireann Bradley, hailing from just outside the town of Ballybofey in Co. Donegal, will offer roots, country and blues soundscapes following the release of her album I Kept These Old Blues last year and an appearance on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny.
Just in time for the release of their long-awaited debut album on 3 May via Universal Music imprint Claddagh Records, alt-folk duo Lemoncello are joining the stacked Anam bill. The magical Dublin-based duo have an unquestionable knack for enchanting all who hear their charismatic voices, anchored by Laura Quirke’s trance-like guitar and Claire Kinsella’s warm cello tones.
Fresh from releasing his critically acclaimed debut LP ‘Cold Sea’ earlier this year, Navan native Oisín Leech will also perform on the new series. Initially rising to public attention as one half of The Lost Brothers, leading him to tour extensively at Glastonbury, SXSW, the BBC Electric Proms, Other Voices Dingle and beyond; he’s now going it alone with enthralling creative results.
A truly special guest for the Other Voices: Anam roster this year is Leitrim-based talent Mohammad Syfkhan. The 57-year-old father of five brought his incredible musical skills to Ireland all the way from Syria after originally training as a surgical nurse. Syfkhan will perform a thrilling mix of electrified Kurdish, Arabic and Turkish traditional songs, covers and originals this month.
From across the pond, Big Thief bandleader and solo artist Adrianne Lenker will perform in Ormond Castle to start off the festivities on 9 May. Lauded as one of the most respected and influential songwriters in the indie scene, the Indiana native’s magnetic gift for blistering vulnerability has earned her Brooklyn-based indie-folk outfit Big Thief four Grammy nominations and millions of streams.
Each episode of Anam – Songs for Hearts & Minds will be beamed across the world via the YouTube and Facebook platforms of Other Voices and the OPW.
Anam will build on the massive success of last year’s series launch, which featured performances by Ye Vagabonds, Anna Mieke, Ezra Williams, Paul Noonan, Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan, Nell Mescal, Kingfishr, God Knows, Cormac Begley, Sam Amidon and more.
The continued partnership between Other Voices, the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage offers national and international audiences a front-row seat at these spectacular performances, delivered in meaningful settings. Anam hopes to garner an unforgettable sonic journey for viewers across the country and beyond Irish waters, fusing the magic of live shows with the breathtaking beauty behind some of the nation’s most significant historic sites.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said:
“I am delighted that my Department, the OPW and Other Voices have collaborated again on such an exciting project to celebrate and deepen the interlinkages between the arts, culture, history and the heritage sites across the country. I look forward to an amazing musical showcase from a diversity of Ireland’s artists – made all the more meaningful by the surrounds of into these magnificent buildings and rooms”
Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “This is the second year of the Anam partnership between Other Voices and the Office of Public Works. This livestream series will offer national and international audiences a virtual front-row seat at these unique performances. Anam will showcase uplifting music and song delivered in meaningful and historic heritage settings. I am delighted that we are shining a light on these sites- each of which is an intrinsic part of their local community and economy and are truly special places for visitors to enjoy”
Philip King from Other Voices said: “We have the privilege again this year of taking a diversity of uplifting and inspirational music and song into four of the remarkable heritage sites that are minded and held in trust for us all by the OPW. This year, we will hit out on a musical expedition that will take us around the country to four truly extraordinary sites across four counties; Ormond Castle in Tipperary, Portumna Castle in County Galway, Parke’s Castle in County Leitrim and the Pearse Museum in Rathfarnham, County Dublin. We are so delighted these magnificent buildings will play host to some of the world’s great musicians and singers and that we can stream these performances the world over.”
A limited number of golden tickets to experience these unique performances will be available via the Other Voices Anam public lottery, and additional tickets will also be made available through competitions in the coming weeks.
The series will be livestreamed globally from 8pm each Thursday from 9 May until Thursday 30 May via the Other Voices YouTube and Facebook channels. Viewers can set a YouTube reminder here.
Anam – Songs for Hearts & Minds is being made possible with the generous support of the Office of Public Works and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Full details and streaming schedule available at Othervoices.ie.
