Here are some performances you won't want to miss

While uncertainty persists around case numbers and how the Covid crisis develops into the winter, at time of writing the Quiet Lights festival is set to showcase emergent musicians from the folk and traditional oeuvres at venues around the city from tonight. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks to festival founder Jonathan Pearson.

From The Quite Lights Festival, to an adaptation of The Cause and more, there's lots on Cork's stages this week

Here are some that you'll be lucky to see

Returning from the Covid-enforced pause on live events for its fourth installment, Right Here Right Now serves up a look at contemporary Irish folk, with nods to the people that laid its foundations over the years, at the Opera House, Cyprus Avenue and Coughlan’s. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with some of the artists playing this weekend.

Horrific images coming from the Travis Scott Astroworld concert tragedy last weekend will live long in the memory, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Includes Lorraine Nash, Mide Houlihan and Caoilian Sherlock

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at what's on the Cork stage in the weeks ahead

There's big confidence in Cork as a gig and big concert venue, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Cara O’Doherty looks forward to a Cork Film Festival packed with features, shorts, and special events and focusing on food and female visions

Jo Kerrigan looks at what Cork theatres have on this week, in her weekly Theatre Nights

Ronan Leonard looks forward to Sinnerboy’s tribute to Rory Gallagher ‘LIVE in Cork’ concert

Coming back from the Covid crisis, Mallow Arts Festival brings a huge array of culture and live events to town for its 2021 installment. Hometown boy and festival volunteer Mike McGrath-Bryan chats with chairperson Tadhg Curtis.

Cork Jazz Festival show the potential for the city to have more weekend focused music festivals, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at some of the shows running at Cork's theatres.

So many good acts on across the venues at this year's festival, says Stevie G in his Downtown column 

And I'll be there for Bird On The Wire - The Songs Of Leonard Cohen, says Ronan Leonard

Singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow talks jazz and squeezing enjoyment from these Covid times. Don O'Mahony reports

Mark Murphy has his hand in programming this year’s Jazz - and performing in it. The Choice Cuts promoter talks about helping bring things together - and what some of the challenges have been in the past few weeks.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble has the key to the city as they take over the Cork Jazz Festival, says Don O'Mahony

This is a unique opportunity to witness Yasiin Bey at Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, says Stevie G in his Downtown colum 

Matthew Halsall is a leading light in UK jazz - but with last year’s Salute to the Sun album, he casts his net wider, taking in a variety of sounds and influences from all over the world. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with the Gondwana Records founder ahead of his Everyman Palace gigs this weekend as part of Cork Jazz Festival.

Jo Kerrigan looks at what's happening in Cork Opera House, Cork Cat Club, The Everyman and more 

As venues reopen and life picks up after the Covid-19 crisis, Cork music moves along with it, with new music from some of its pillars of the last decade or so, as well as promising hints of things to come.  

Much has changed over the past seven years for hip-hop here, says Stevie G in his Downtown column. The media is noticing, the music is better, and there are more voices from many cultural backgrounds

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at the shows, gigs and concerts running at venues across Cork 

Corkman Drew Linehan is no stranger to reaching into music for catharsis - but new album LOOK COOL DEAD sees the Hausu collective member face up to his hurts, joys and agonies in earnest. Mike McGrath-Bryan finds out more.

The 18 months pause on the live music industry has been bad for everyone, but there might be some opportunities when the smoke clears.

Jo Kerrigan rounds up some of the key theatre events happening in Cork this week

In his Downtown column, Stevie G marks the 20th anniversary of Choice Cuts with a look at some of the Cork shows they co-promoted 

Single gets its release on Bandcamp today

Ronan Leonard previews the Cork Folk Festival, which will feature live performances across four days and will include a tribute to Margaret Barry, one of the most influential women in the genre.

No Time To Die is released nationwide, tomorrow, Friday October 1, cert 12a. Read our four star review here...

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan salutes a theatrical great and looks ahead to 

As the city’s live music scene looks toward its reopening in earnest on October 22nd - subject to change - Downtown casts an eye over Cork’s venue situation in the immediate future, and rounds up selected highlights for gig-goers.

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan tells us about the key shows on in Cork's theatres this week

Trabolgan festival gives music fans a much-needed glimpse of a world we all used to take for granted

Currently, Ireland is experiencing a huge growth in film production, says Mick Hannigan, Co-Director of film festival Indie Cork, which got underway this week

With the film festival returning for its ninth year, Cara Doherty looks forward to seeing all the local talent on show, with Cork-based psychological thriller ‘Gateway’ the opening night film

Ahead of his set at It Takes A Village, Kevin Blake talks to Don O'Mahony about taking the rough with the smooth.

Stevie G catches up with Rushes about his first full-length project, 'Glowchild' — which could well be a stepping stone to a great career

For Dali’s Hope Alo, the Covid-19 crisis represented a time of deep personal and professional change - from the closure of her and partner Stephen Byrne’s city-centre nightclub, to dealing with a stroke. On the eve of their ‘Stay Home’ weekender in a mystery West Cork location, she talks about recovery - and a new beginning in the post-pandemic picture.

Leeside rock and metal stronghold Fred Zeppelin’s reopens in October - and Dead Cult Promotions, run by Cork musician Evan Prendergast, is ready to help fill the live-music void that’s been at the heart of the genre for over 18 months. Mike McGrath-Bryan chats with the Worn Out drummer about their upcoming November gig.

In her weekly Theatre Night column Jo Kerrigan tells us what's on around the city

Singer-songwriter Gerald Ahern shoots video for new offering in Greece

With the Spook Screen Film Festival getting ready to kick off in Cork, Cara O’Doherty looks forward to seeing full-length feature ‘Krampus’

Restrictions have been lifted, including some of the more ridiculous guidelines regarding live music, and while it's miles behind other countries let's try to be optimistic, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at some of the highlights on Cork's stages

Cara O’Doherty looks forward to the Cork French Film Festival and a reacquaintance with some classics as well as to some new cinematic voices at one of the city’s oldest festivals

While it is far too long, there are loads of sublime moments on this much-hyped record, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan looks at the highlights across Cork's theatres this week

After a long and bitter legal battle, all of Aaliyah's music is finally available to the masses, on streaming services, says Stevie G

While the Irish music industry awaits a firm date for a return to gigging, Downtown got to remembering the buzz and anticipation behind some of the big moments in the city’s musical life in the past few decades. Mike McGrath-Bryan delves into the Echo and Irish Examiner archives, with help from Eoghan Dinan.

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan tells us what's on and what's on the horizon for Cork's theatre venues

Jack O’Rourke chats to Downtown's Don O’Mahony about his new single and plans for the future

2021 is halfway gone, but it doesn’t look like it will be remembered as one of the more iconic music years of the century, unless something spectacular happens soon, so says Stevie G

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan looks at what's coming to the stage in Cork, in the days and weeks ahead

After releasing ‘Sowing Acorns’, her second album, last year at the height of lockdown #2, Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford is finally about to hit the road to promote it - but not before a meaningful stop at Mallow Castle next Saturday. Mike McGrath-Bryan finds out more.

Here we highlight free outdoor performances as part of the Cork CoCo Pops underway across the county of Cork throughout August  

There doesn’t seem to be any roadmap regarding how we are going to get the music industry started again, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

The Great Beyond, in Ballinacurra House, in Kinsale, is a welcome first return to live performance in 18 months for its musicians and comedians. Read Ronan Leonard's report in Downtown

In his Downtown column this week, Stevie G describes the Summer of Soul documentary as "an incredible testament to an incredible time"

In her weekly Theatre Night column Jo Kerrigan looks at what's hot on the ticket front this week

Having signed to a deal with a US label right as the pandemic’s impact was becoming apparent, Cork outfit Rowan got down to business - and their new EP is a focused slice of indie as a result. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with Dylan Howe and Fionn Hennessy-Hayes.

In his Downtown column this week, Stevie G reflects on the impact Andrew Mac Donagh had on the Cork music scene, following his passing

Formed out of friendship and a shared love of a disparate variety of metal bands and subgenres, Hashmaker’s very beginnings were cut off by the pandemic - but their debut EP stands as a testament to their love for their craft - and a nod to B-movie disaster flicks. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with guitarist Jim Spillane.

Stevie G, in his Downtown column, remembers Amy Winehouse on the 10th anniversary of her death

In 2018, composer Robert Curgenven took the 32-foot pipe organ in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and lined it into a full-on dub soundsystem. The result was  ‘Bronze Lands’  and as a recording of the event finally surfaces, Curgenven talks to Mike McGrath-Bryan about the project.

Lockdown saw Cobh grunge/psych trio This Place is Death come back from indefinite hiatus and finally release an extended-player that had been shelved a number of years ago. Mike McGrath-Bryan catches up with Eoin Leahy and Frank O’Brien over Zoom to talk about the release, and the intervening years.

One thing that Cork hasn't been lacking during the pandemic is new music, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights, Jo Kerrigan looks at some upcoming shows

As people continue to flock to the cinema to see her new Marvel movie Black Widow, its star Scarlett Johansson tells the world’s media about her delight at finally getting her solo moment to shine — and has a special answer to Downtown film critic CARA O’DOHERTY’s question

Cork performers come forth at Elizabeth Fort 

With new EP 'Loud Demure', Sarah-Beth O'Mullane flips the switch from alternative pop to piano-driven ruminations and flights of fantasy. The Cork singer-songwriter speaks with Mike McGrath-Bryan about how it's come together, and collaborating over the course of the Covid crisis.

Queen of Pop compares Britney Spears conservatorship to slavery 

Publican Benny McCabe will return the venue to its glory days as a cinema, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

"I do prefer someone a lot more chilled" explains the islander 

Who Do You Think You Are has been named most-played track

Booking is now open for the live events set to take place in venues, both indoor and out in the weeks ahead

Hugo apologises after sparking upset with comments on "fake" personalities and looks — "I didn't mean anything malicious"

Contestant disappointed to leave Mallorcan villa after Rachel chose to couple up with Brad — "I had a lot more to give"

Talent manager says he will always be proud of what they accomplished over their 25 years together

Following the release of a special 40th anniversary edition, it's heading for the top of UK charts for the first time since 1981

Kioko musician Matt Doyle will replace Duncan Campbell after he announced his retirement from music last week following a seizure

Singer reveals he is expecting baby with fiancée Rhea Bailey

Cliffhanger leaves fans waiting to see who luxury travel specialist Rachel Finni chooses in dramatic recoupling

New single 'Renegade' to feature on forthcoming Big Red Machine album

Open to events and community groups throughout the summer on Kyrl’s Quay, the TEST SITE project functions as a public space and an outdoor venue, complete with a purpose-built, reusable stage - a look at how we can best use unoccupied and forgotten spaces in the city. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with artist Aoife Desmond and architect Ailbhe Cunningham.

Female contestants get to choose who they want to partner up with after Chuggs and Liam shake things up on their arrival into the villa

I'm looking forward to Cosha's new album, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Contestant predicts that Faye and Brad won't be a couple until the end — "heads are going to be turned"

A judge has denied Britney Spears' request to remove her father from his role overseeing her conservatorship, a court filing reveals.

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan looks at the highlights this week

"If we don't do it, I'll be very, very cross!" says Sporty Spice as pop band celebrate their 25th anniversary

As the city slowly re-emerges from the depths of the Covid-19 crisis, the city’s venues are beginning to make plans for the post-pandemic picture. Cyprus Avenue on Caroline Street is among the handful of Cork venues selling tickets for gigs this autumn - we speak with owner Ger Kiely and booker Eoin Aher about what lies ahead.