VIDEO: ‘The Sound of the Northside’ is set for the Everyman stage in Cork

Long based in Knocknaheeny on the northside of Cork city, the Kabin Crew is made up of approximately 30 young people from the local and surrounding areas who meet regularly at the Kabin Studio, a not-for-profit, vibrant music and creative hub, established by Garry McCarthy in 2012 with the support of Music Generation Cork City.

Young people write and perform their own raps and songs, spanning a variety of genres.

Still enjoying viral success for The Spark, their rap anthem with Lisdoonvarna Crew for Cruinniú na nÓg 2024, which garnered millions of views online, young performers from the Kabin Studio are excited to announce details of their show, The Sound Of The Northside.

A collaborative project with the Irish National Opera, this showcase will see the teenage music artists perform specially tailored arrangements of their music on The Everyman stage, accompanied by the Irish National Opera orchestra.

The Kabin Crew will be joined by the Lisdoonvarna Crew on stage for a special guest performance of their worldwide hit The Spark.

The Kabin Crew’s latest initiative aims to foster creativity, collaboration and community. The show is directed by Maud Lee and Zoe Ní Riordáin, founders of the theatre, music and film company One Two One Two.

Rory McGovern is the music director, alongside Áine Delany who is responsible for musical arrangement. Stephen Dodd is responsible for lighting design. The Sound of the Northside will be performed under the baton of conductor Medb Brereton Hurley.

The Kabin Studio facilitates music creation for children aged seven to young adults aged 21.

Garry McCarthy, founder and creative director of The Kabin Studio, explained; “The Kabin provides a space where young people can be themselves and are given a safe space to explore what interests them creatively and musically.”

He spoke about the importance of the upcoming show in the Everyman Theatre.

“Being able to reimagine the work, spoken word, and the songs created by the young people has been an unbelievably inspiring, educational and rewarding experience.

It’s also been an amazing way for us to push our boundaries, step out of our comfort zones and try something new, bringing a theatrical element to the music that is created at The Kabin.

Darren Stewart, 15, from Knocknaheeny, has been attending The Kabin since he was eight years old and will be performing in the show. He is a rapper and songwriter.

He said: “I’ve grown to love The Kabin. Music is my passion. I want music to be part of my future and take it seriously and become an artist. That’s why I continuously come back to the Kabin.”

Darren explained that the show The Sound Of the Northside is “about us telling our stories through music”. He added that living in the northside of Cork city “influences how I write and how I think”.

Using rap and songwriting as a mode of self-expression was seconded by Dylan Murphy, 19, from Blarney. He has been attending The Kabin for three years and said: “Rap is an amazing creative outlet. I enjoy word play, rhythm and how rap allows me to express myself”.

Dylan described the other young people at The Kabin as “family”, a description repeated by many of the young performers who attend workshops and summer camps there.

Mark Barry-McSweeney, 19, from Fairhill said “we’re like a family here”. He has been attending The Kabin for seven years and has a keen interest in music technology and production. He will be performing his own song at the show. His music focuses on finding the positives in life, regardless of one’s background, upbringing, or state of mind.

Four young female performers who met at The Kabin formed a group called Misneach, an Irish word meaning courage. Misneach’s members are Cara Cullen, Sophie McCarthy, Rosaleen Brady and Roisín Cullinane.

Cara, 19, from Knocknaheeny, has been attending The Kabin for six years. She said: “I feel I have a voice when I’m here.”

Fellow group member, Sophie McCarthy, echoed this sentiment. She said: “The Kabin is my second home. It’s a safe space that I feel comfortable in.”

Sophie added; “Songwriting is an escape from reality. I can sit in my own little bubble with my headphones on and I can write whatever I want. 

It’s irrelevant if people hear my songs or not. Songwriting allows me to release my emotions.

The group have seen success since their formation. Following a grant, Misneach wrote three songs and created a music video. Their songs address themes relating to female empowerment. Their lyrics acknowledge the importance of strong female role models in their lives, paying homage to their mothers, aunts and sisters.

Misneach’s lyrics address the pressures women feel from the unrealistic standards set by the beauty industry in the hope that their listeners will realise that it is OK to “be you”.

Rosaleen Brady, 17, from Churchfield, is excited for Misneach to perform at the show. She said: “The show reflects the sense of community here at The Kabin, how welcoming the space is, how as we grow, we pass the torch onto younger kids, and we help create a safe environment for them because the people who mentored us created that sort of environment for us.”

Many of the tutors at The Kabin began their creative and musical journeys as young children attending workshops and summer camps. Alex Pacino-Brady, 24, attended The Kabin as a teenager and now tutors young performers and facilitates workshops in music production, hip-hop, rap, songwriting, and videography.

He said: “As tutors, we build a rapport with the young people and facilitate their creative ideas. We encourage them to push the boundaries of their creativity and step out of their comfort zones.”

Co-director Zoe Ní Riordáin of One Two One Two, said: “The Kabin Crew’s music is full of confidence, lyrical skill, humour and massive ambition.

“We are so thrilled to be collaborating with such inspiring people who are taking on the world with their unique sound. 

Music like this can only be made in an environment full of love, support, and hard work. We are really excited to be shaping this one-off show.

Performer and Misneach member, Rosaleen said: “Working on this show has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m delighted that I’m getting to work with so many new people and challenge myself more creatively.

“It’s brilliant to see the Kabin experiment in the realm of theatre. I’m really looking forward to seeing everything come together and being able to perform on the Everyman stage.”

Garry McCarthy said: “This project, The Sound of the Northside, pushes the performers out of their comfort zones. It opens their eyes to something new. They are all outstanding performers with amazing stage presence. The show will push them into a different creative sphere.

We hope our young performers’ time at The Kabin will give them confidence, create good memories, and give them skills that they can take forward into their futures.

The Sound of the Northside runs for one night only in The Everyman, Cork on Monday July 22. Tickets are €13 and are available from www.everymancork.com

For more information on Kabin Crew visit www.thekabin.ie

For information on Irish National Opera visit www.irishnationalopera.ie