Stevie G: Theo Parrish fans in for a treat at the Savoy
Theo Parrish performs at Cyprus Avenue as part of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in 2024. Picture: Photo Darragh Kane
Theo Parrish is one of the most important modern figures in black music, and he has been active as a producer and DJ for over 30 years. He comes from a rich tradition of DJs who can comfortably move through the genres and he is not someone who will simply turn up and play for 60 minutes for a quick payday. His previous shows here have been legendary and he most recently appeared here as part of the Brian Jackson show in Cork Opera House for the Jazz weekend a couple of years back. He accompanied Brian at his shows that week and played an explosive DJ set at Cyprus Avenue.
He also previously played the Pav and Cork music fans might remember the time he accompanied Damon Albarn, Phil Cohran, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Flea, Fatoumata Diawara, Tony Allen and others at the Savoy for the jazz festival in 2011. Has there ever been a better line-up on stage simultaneously in Cork at any time than this?
Theo was happy to compliment his fellow musicians at these events but he is a supreme artist in his own right and, as a DJ and producer, he effortlessly weaves house, jazz, soul and other genres together into something fresh and new. It’s forward thinking but rooted in a respect for those who paved the way, and it’s no coincidence that some of Theo’s previous Cork shows were collaboration based.
This week’s event also marks a special co-production with Rory’s Birthday and the Dublin Disco All-Dayer uniting communities in a shared celebration of sound, dance culture, and connection.
Through Sound Signature, Theo has built a global platform for uncompromising artistry, influencing generations while staying rooted in the depth and spirit of Detroit. He will be joined on an amazing lineup from the Sound Signature extended family including the East West Assembly. This group, featuring the amazing Monica Blaire, is about to release a project on Sound Signature, and recently played a great show in the Kino.
They will bring raw, live energy into the night with their 14-piece band of amazing musicians. Ideeyah Supreme and Meftah bring their beautiful live show and they are joined by DJs WhoDat, who will close out the night before Meftah appears on the turntables after his live show. Room 2 will host FrawL, Pablo Fatty Fatty, Abbie Lee and Shane Breen from late in the evening. The event also marks a special co-production with Rory’s Birthday and the Dublin Disco All Dayer, uniting communities in a shared celebration of sound, dance culture, and connection.
The Savoy also hosts another special show this weekend, with the launch of the new Fixity album Assurance by multi-instrumentalist and composer Dan Walsh. Dan is one of Cork’s foremost talents and he launched this avant garde project in 2015 and, again, it’s a project which glides between multiple genres. Fixity have also collaborated extensively and have most recently added strings by NY/Cork based arranger Aine Delaney. It should be a great night; the new album is amazing.
Cork is buzzing at the moment and there’s lots on. Catacomb Thrifts takes place in the Kino this Sunday while my own old school hip-hop and rnb night is in Sky bar the following Saturday. The same venue is one of many hosting Heineken green energy events this June bank holiday weekend, with lots of guests playing various shows. Bl3ss play Cyprus May 22, while our own Taboo night celebrates 10 years of afrobeats, amapiano, hip-hop and dancehall in Savoy later this May while Africa Day has a number of events around Cork too.
Cork’s latest addition to the house music scene is House Keeping at the Pav, brought to you by Rory and Aoife, and they promise loads of guests, while further afield, the Goleen Harbour Weekender has just announced its line-up for this July. Shane Johnson, Colm K, Queen Bee, Jus Me, Colm Motherway, End Up and yours truly will be on the decks, while Bantum and JarJarJr will perform live. These are just a few of the great events happening in Cork; the summer is looking good!
