Steve G: We need music more than ever in 2026

The global uncertainty at the moment affects us all, and in Ireland and elsewhere the cost of living is spiralling to unprecedented levels. Everyday items such as food and fuel have been at the top of the agenda lately and, obviously, the knock-on effect on the music industry will be substantial too. As I write, even more airlines are cancelling flights and our gig economy here in Ireland is likely to take a big hit as a result.

I recently attended the launch of this year’s Live at the Marquee series, and veteran promoter Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions was not glossing over the situation. He spoke about the very real prospect of “major tours cancelling worldwide”, telling the Irish Examiner that people “are worried sick with all this”.

Aiken are celebrating their 21st year of bringing shows to Live at the Marquee, and Peter Aiken spoke at length about how proud he was to bring so many big shows to Cork. The artists always love coming here, and Aiken have now further cemented their relationship with Cork by running bigger shows in Páirc Ui Chaoimh too, and Zack Bryan is the latest international artist who will be visiting us here this June.

If you add the accompanying big shows by MCD at Virgin Media Park, it really beefs up the live gig offerings in Cork every summer, though, as I always say, it’s our everyday venues that are the bedrock of the scene here in Cork. Thankfully, these Marquee and Virgin Media Park shows complement the local scene too, and there’s always a nice bump in Cork for local bars, venues, cafes and restaurants when the summer shows arrive. It begs the eternal question; imagine if it was like this all the time?

Peter Aiken wasn’t holding back when he discussed the never ending saga regarding the proposed Cork event centre, and he told the Examiner that we’ve been talking about this in Cork for the 21 years in which he hosted shows in the Marquee.

“In the private world you’re held accountable for these types of things but these people can do that. It’s wrong. There should be events centres the length and breadth of Ireland – and they would work”.

He then added that apart from the much discussed economic benefits, politicians and others are ignoring the “goodness benefit”, underlying something we heard a lot about during the covid pandemic.

I couldn’t agree with him more. Music means a lot more than money to people, and the mental health benefits are impossible to measure, especially now that this uncertainty is leading to more stress everywhere. During covid, when things shut down, music was one of the big things that helped get people through it, and many of us realised how much the music and arts meant. The wider world waxed lyrical about music culture too, and its importance, but only a few years later much of the talk about it is economically related, and Peter Aiken nails it when highlighting the irony.

We need music more than ever in 2026. Small gigs, jam sessions, workshops, community events, free parties, touring acts and everything else, from Coughlans and Plug’d to the Marquee and Musgrave Park. Our music scene needs support and recognition and as we cynically look at yet another article about our non-event centre, we need to value what we have even more.

Thankfully, there’ve been a few additions this year, and the old Cubins space is the latest vacant former music venue about to get reworked into a new nightspot. This follows the successful reopening of the Savoy, who are putting on some very good shows, and are now on a city centre circuit that includes long term venues such as Cyprus Avenue, the Crane Lane, Coughlans, Dali and others.

There’s lots of grassroots events happening too, and there’s a free pop up event happening on 21 Shandon Street tomorrow evening, from 5pm to 9pm. Myself and local rap legend Bony will be hosting a Tiny Desk styled session featuring upcoming artists, and everybody is welcome.

Cork has got a really good music community and this Just Ceart event is a cross pollination with other artforms too, and will hopefully bring more people together. The Kino, Plug’d, Cyprus, Crane and many other venues are hosting multiple shows showcasing Cork newcomers regularly, so while the uncertainty persists, the opportunity to escape those stresses continues!