Four big shows for Galway Arts Festival
Galway International Arts Festival has announced four exhilarating shows as part of Festival 2016, which will run from 11th – 24th July.
The Festival and Róisín Dubh presents the legendary Suede at the Absolut Festival Big Top on Saturday, 23rd July.
Suede dominated Brit-rock throughout the 1990s, had three UK number one albums, and have been widely lauded as the instigators of Britpop, paving the way for bands such as Blur and Pulp.
2015 saw Suede crowned ‘Godlike Genius’ at the NME Awards and they performed as the headline act on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury. They have just released another ambitious record, the stunning Night Thoughts, which is accompanied by a feature film, directed by acclaimed photographer Roger Sargent. The film will provide the backdrop for the first half of their set at the Absolut Festival Big Top this July.
Fresh from sold out shows in London and Dublin earlier this year, contemporary Irish music group The Gloaming will play the Absolut Festival Big Top on Friday, 22nd July. Fiddlers Martin Hayes and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, sean nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, New York pianist Thomas Bartlett and Chicago-born guitarist Dennis Cahill make up this quirky trad super group, mixing traditional Irish music’s rich, melancholic tones with modern hues of jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental melodies.
The Gloaming exploded onto the music scene with their self-titled debut album in 2014, which was considered as one of the finest recordings of the year. The album’s medley of sean-nós and contemporary music secured its spot on some of music’s most prestigious best-of lists, such as MOJO magazine and NPR Music. It was also picked by The Guardian as ‘The One Album You Should Hear This Week’; won a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award; and claimed the Meteor Choice Music Prize for Best Irish Album of 2014.
Following a sell-out Scottish tour, the critically acclaimed theatre production, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour will burst onto the Galway stage, bringing audiences a night of singing, sex and flaming sambucas. This is a sharp, clever and poignant look at what it’s like to navigate life on the cusp of adulthood.The soundtrack for this raucous comedy is a mix of classical music and 70s pop rock, featuring works by Handel, Bach and ELO.
Adapted by Lee Hall (the genius behind Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters) from Alan Warner’s novel The Sopranos and directed by Vicky Featherstone of the Royal Court Theatre, this blisteringly funny musical play tells the story of six boisterous Catholic schoolgirls on a choir trip. Expect love, lust, pregnancy, magic mushrooms and an appearance from the Virgin Mary all in one alcohol-fuelled day. This must-see theatre show comes to a head with fireworks – literally.
One of the most exciting circus ensembles in Australia, Gravity & Other Myths will bring their breathtaking show, A Simple Space to Festival 2016. This engaging work of acrobatic art features seven skilled acrobats who push their physical limits in an awe-inspiring display of strength, skill and creativity.
Tickets for all four shows go on sale on Friday, 8th April. For bookings visit www.giaf.ie. Tickets for Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour and A Simple Space can also be booked in person at the Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway or by calling 091 569777. Tickets for Suede and The Gloaming can also be booked on roisindubh.net.