Some choice events across the summer months

WWE legend Kurt Angle might have recently done a spoken-word show at Cyprus Avenue, but the Olympic Hero hasn’t been the only talent getting ready to rumble at the venue: four of Cork music’s upcoming young acts face off in tag-team action on Friday May 20th. Mike McGrath-Bryan rings the opening bell on the Red vs. Blue showcase. 

The new wave of Cork talent emerging is very exciting, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

The Covid crisis was a strange space for many Cork bands - but it also created an opportunity for Cork indie trio Rowan to get signed to a label in the US and work on their debut album - Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks to frontman Dylan Howe about the new release, and their album launch tour, currently underway.

There are hardly any left, but the music takes us away from all our troubles and strife, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Jo Kerrigan looks at what is on in our theatres and arts venues in the week ahead

Dilla Time will last forever, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Singer songwriter on tour to promote new album Courageous

Singer showcases her material in an eagerly awaited concert  

Get your ideas ready... audience participation is a big part of the show

Just some of the offerings across the bank holiday weekend in Cork

Festival starts today and runs until Monday, May 2, with jazz parades, swing classes, and all that jazz 

From stadium-filling entertainers like Ed Sheeran and Elton John, to the best of homegrown talent, the Cork gig calendar is packed all summer long after two years of Covid breaks and restrictions. 

In her weekly column, Theatre Nights, Jo Kerrigan recalls the early days of Cork Palace and Everyman Theatre, which marks a milestone this year

On Friday, May 6, two of Irish independent music’s leading lights come together at Cyprus Avenue in a double-header to launch new Cork live promotion house TNT Presents, and play new material after the Covid crisis. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with John “Spud” Murphy of Waterford psych-rockers Percolator, and Jake & Stevie Lennox of Belfast indie heads Junk Drawer.

Comedian Terry Alderton regularly performs all over the globe... and now he’s coming to City Limits Comedy Club in Cork

So much to look forward to in Cork, and in Ireland, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Ronan Leonard catches up with Neil Delamere and discovers what audiences can expect from his new stand-up show

With an all-star cast of Irish talent contributing, Cork singer-songwriter Kevin Walsh has been on a journey to get to the release of debut single ‘Embrace the World’. Mike McGrath-Bryan speaks with him about his childhood love of musicals, autism and hitting the stage after the Covid crisis.

Much of the musical innovation of now (and probably tomorrow) is coming from areas that are not traditionally hotbeds of music, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan looks at what's on Cork's stages

Ronan Leonard chats to Cork comedian Chris Kent about his upcoming show ‘Christy Doesn’t Live Here’ in The Everyman...

English-born Corkonian JRilla’s been making moves online in the last two years, mixing elements of commercial hip-hop with facets of the growing drill sub-genre - and garnering millions of views and streams in the process. Mike McGrath-Bryan catches up with the young artist in studio.

It’s no surprise that many of the nominated artists don’t even bother to turn up any more, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights, Jo Kerrigan 

Dublin rockers Aslan are marking the end of the Covid crisis and their fortieth anniversary with a major tour of Ireland in the coming weeks, including two nights at Cork Opera House on April 8 and 9. Mike McGrath-Bryan hears stories from frontman Christy Dignam.

Award show meltdowns are par for the course in the rap game, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Jo Kerrigan looks at what is happening in theatre and arts venues across Cork this week - including a special charity concert tonight

Next month, a collective of UCC student arts organisers and event managers will curate a full weekend of arts events and exhibitions aimed at kickstarting the heart of the city’s creative community. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks with Matt Corrigan about Rebound Arts Festival.

We catch up with Gavin James, who is eager to get back to Cork and to perform at Cork Opera House

The city that once hosted stadium shows by Michael Jackson, Prince, and U2, is about to host some great gigs again, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In this week's Theatre Nights Jo Kerrigan looks at what is on in our small local theatres

It’s incredible that we have so many nightclubs and venues lying vacant in the city, says STEVIE G

A round-up of the entertainment in Cork this week, in our weekly Theatre Nights

Quality over quantity is why the world will be ready and waiting when Kendrick, Travis, Frank, Beyonce or others drop albums this year, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Ahead of the Irish Film and Television Awards this weekend  Cork director Shaun O’Connor tells JENNIFER HORGAN about his love for film as his short A White Horse is up for an award

What's on the stages of Cork's theatres and arts centres this week? Jo Kerrigan finds out

She’s the reigning and defending queen of country, infusing a strong Dolly Parton influence with traces of pop and disco, wrapped up in a post-millennial sense of humour and some incredible music videos. Ahead of her March 9 gig at Cyprus Avenue, Mike McGrath-Bryan gets a chat with Dublin singer and songwriter CMAT.

Young DJ and rapper Peter Kelly made a big impression on the music scene in Cork, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

With the 30th anniversary of their breakout album ‘Immigrants, Emigrants and Me’ giving rise to the reunion and return of Irish indie outfit Power of Dreams, the time is now for the band to set out on tour to mark their second act with a new extended-player. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks to guitarist Craig Walker ahead of a March 13 gig at Cyprus Avenue.

What's on at Cork's theatres and arts centres this week? Jo Kerrigan finds out

The first of at least four scheduled albums for the year from Kenmare-based, Cork-adjacent singer and songwriter Laurie Shaw sees him wrap disparate threads of small-town life around a concept narrative involving a 1950s spy, and Francis Brennan’s newest hotel acquisition. Mike McGrath-Bryan gets a taste of Shaw’s Wirral-born wit and wisdom.

Love him or hate him, Kanye West pretty box office and a major music visionary, says Stevie G in his Downtown column 

In her weekly column, Theatre Nights, Jo Kerrigan looks at upcoming plays, concerts and events in Cork's theatres and arts centres

There’s a new woman at the helm of AIM, Association of Independent Music, in Ireland. NICOLA DEPUIS catches up with Gill Dooley, who has worked with everyone from Taylor Swift to Lady Gaga

A long wait to headline the Cork Opera House finally comes to an end for Bernard Casey, who performs there on Friday, February 18, writes Ronan Leonard.

The explosion of drill music in Ireland has been incredible, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Jo Kerrigan shares her weekly round-up of what is on in Cork's theatre and arts venues

Part of a new generation of young Leeside bands tipping the hat to Britpop, shoegaze and C86, The Drive have gone from dealing with the Covid crisis stopping them before they could get off the ground, to drawing a crowd at Cyprus Avenue last Friday night. Mike McGrath-Bryan catches up with the young four-piece ahead of their new single’s release.

In a similar way that Oxegen was once the first really big festival that youngsters went to after they left school, Longitude now provides a big taster of huge acts with big crowds, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column, Jo Kerrigan looks at what is on in Cork's theatres

With Covid-era restrictions suddenly lifting on venues last weekend (hopefully for the last time), there’s a rake of great gigs in the offing in Cork in the coming weeks. Here we cast an eye over the city’s gigging calendar - with all dates and details subject to change!

It’s still hard to believe that the restrictions are now mostly gone, and the music industry can go back to doing what it is does best, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

With restrictions lifted, Cork theatre's can start to get back to normal. Jo Kerrigan looks at what's on stage in the week ahead

After the end of prog-R&B outfit Shookrah, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Emmet O’Riabhaigh had an itch to scratch. With new solo project Mamety, he brings years of divergent influences together with social commentary and his trademark humour. Mike McGrath-Bryan gets a chat in after the release of debut album ‘Gudge’.

1971: The year that music changed everything is a brilliant snapshot of an important year for music, and many of these wonderful songs and albums still sound amazing, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly round-up, Jo Kerrigan looks at the shows, performances and concerts taking place in Cork's theatres

With his first solo album in years having come in for critical acclaim, Leeside post-punk legend Cathal Coughlan moved straight to the next challenge - Telefís, a collaborative project with producer Jackknife Lee, that looks at society of the last 60 or so years through its cultural signifiers. Mike McGrath-Bryan investigates.

It’s his sound and it’s his time, and as an artist who only turns 32 next month, it’s been an impressive rise to the top of the pop world, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights Jo Kerrigan tells us what's on Cork stages in the weeks ahead and also reflects on performances of yesteryear

It’s a strange time for any band to be putting on gigs at present - so a Sunday evening showcase at Cyprus Avenue for two of the city’s upcoming young bands presents challenges and upsides. Mike McGrath-Bryan talks to members of The Flavours and Mossy ahead of this weekend’s gig.

The city is ideally placed to be a great hub for music events, with the new Marina Park - and other great parks - being ideal venues, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Next year’s movie blockbusters will include lots of sequels and superhero movies, says Downtown film critic CARA O’DOHERTY, but there will also be a few new gems to look forward to, such as Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast and Cork director Pat Collins’ The Dance

2021 was a devastating year for the music industry, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Hard times continued in the second year of the Covid-19 crisis - but the songwriters, bands, and producers of Cork has shown us their resilience and perseverance, making things work and realising the vision in the toughest of times. Here we pick seven records to get into.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but 2021 has been an incredibly difficult year for music, as much so in Cork as anywhere else. But despite it all, the scene has kept going, with artists and facilitators rising mightily to the challenges of the Covid crisis. Here are 10 reasons to be cheerful.

While the Covid crisis has continued to change the face of music in numerous ways, this parish has sought to reach out to artists of all genres and keep telling their stories through the tough times. Here are a few select quotes from interviews that appeared in Downtown in 2021.

Following up the success of his 2019 tour George Murphy and his band The Rising Sons have announced a 2022 tour

It was a strong year for music, but I'll narrow it down to my favourite 10, says Stevie G in his Downtown column 

‘Tis the season again, and while the usual rush around town to gigs before the big few days at home remains a bit too quiet, there are still a lot of ways for music fans to get their fill and gift-givers to find that special something. Downtown takes a look at some of the options.

The appearance together of music rivals Kanye West and Drake was a much-hyped event, and Ye is still arguably the most important figure in hip-hop, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

More announcements on the way for Mitchelstown, Cork, festival on August Bank Holiday weekend

Cork indie band were due to play Live at St Luke's in December, but it's been rescheduled to March 4 after new restrictions on live events. Joe Philpott of Rubyhorse talks about the current circumstances, and their upcoming LP.

The few nightclubs that are left will now have to wait until 2022 to reopen and some are unlikely to make it, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly Theatre Nights column Jo Kerrigan looks at what productions are on stage in Cork this week

We might well be in the halfway house when it comes to live music, but Cork is still home to an ever-eclectic mix of homegrown fare. Here we take a look at some new releases.

Making your concert going plans? Well, here are ones that should be on your list

Sometimes in music, there's reward in seeking out some of the lesser-known trailblazers, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

In her weekly column, Theatre Nights, Jo Kerrigan looks at what is treading the boards this week

From working on her second full-length under her Mantua project, to performing at a Cork care home for Cork Midsummer Festival, to reinterpreting a Nirvana classic, it’s been a busy and eclectic period for Cork-based, Limerick-born singer, songwriter and improviser Elaine Malone. Mike McGrath-Bryan investigates.

Next summer is already looking good with more announcements to come, says Stevie G in his Downtown column

Tickets on sale now for September 2022 concerts

In her weekly column, Jo Kerrigan looks at what is on in Cork theatres this week

Some great talent on show in Cork this weekend

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