MacD on Music: A Tale of Two Kierans

By now, it’s well established that there’s no place like Derry for live music at the weekend.

Yesterday saw the legendary Daddy Long Legs in Sandino’s and the day before featured Cosmic Treacle playing Bennigan’s.

This weekend sees two more brilliant gigs, this time taking place in the beautiful St. Augustine’s church.

On Friday night, the venue plays host to Mairead Carlin (for more information, see last week’s column) and the following night features the legendary Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella. The later has already sold out and there’s a very good chance that, by the time you’re reading this, Mairead Carlin will have done the same.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Kieran Goss, and we talked about his history in Derry, his current tour with Annie Kinsella and his thoughts on the local live music scene, among other topics.

One of the first things we spoke about was the recent resurgence of live music here in the town. Kieran says that “something exciting” is happening here, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Kieran Dunlop and his company Music Capital, who have been bringing so many brilliant artists to the town in recent years.

Kieran (Goss) told me that he’s played Derry quite a bit over the years, but it looked for a while like the “arch had fallen out”, in terms of gigs taking place. Kieran Dunlop, he says, has taken up the challenge and is helping to get it back on its feet. This is due, in part, to Kieran (Dunlop’s) “modern way of promoting gigs”. Kieran (Goss) says that a decade ago, it was hard to sell out Irish gigs, but that social media has played a big part in changing that.

Kieran Goss is certainly no stranger to Derry audiences. Over the years, he’s played gigs in Union Hall, the Guildhall and the Millennium Forum, to name a few. Now, he is, along with Annie Kinsella, adding St. Augustine’s to that list, with special guest Bernard Heaney, who, Kieran tells me, has never played a solo gig before, despite being a well-known figure on the local scene for many years.

This will be Kieran and Annie’s first time playing Derry in a while (thanks, partially, to that wee worldwide Lockdown we had recently). Their most recent trip to the city saw them in the Playhouse. He tells me though, that “99% of what we do is abroad” and that they do a “huge amount of professional work outside the country”.

Prior to the aforementioned Lockdown, Keiran and Annie had planned on playing 156 dates around the world to promote their album, ‘Oh, the Starlings’ (released in 2019). The gig this weekend, he tells me, will feature songs from the album, as well as some new ones and, of course, numbers from their brilliant back catalogues.

The duo have also just returned from a sold out Danish tour. The fact that they continue to sell out wherever they play is, Kieran says, “not something we take for granted”.

Kieran Goss and Annie Kinsella play their sold-out gig in St. Augustine’s church this Saturday, the 27th May, with special guest Bernard Heaney. They can be found on Instagram @kierangossandanniekinsella and (solo) @kierangoss and @anniekinsellamusic.

For more information on upcoming gigs in the town, follow Music Capital on Facebook and Instagram @musiccapital.

And Now for Something Completely Different

For those not lucky enough to get tickets for Kieran and Annie’s gig this weekend, Link 48 is offering something that is, well, not at all similar:

“Link 48 is proud to announce its newest and most exciting addition to its line-up of event-AURA! Get ready to experience the ultimate fusion of disco, house, and funk music, every Saturday starting from May 27th. With resident DJ Jay Quigley at the helm, you're guaranteed an unforgettable night of non-stop dancing and fun.

But that's not all. Weather permitting, the party spills out onto the stunning terrace, where you can dance the night away under the stars and enjoy the disco house funk vibes with the best view in town. Bring your friends and make unforgettable memories at Link 48, whether you choose to dance indoors or out.

And if that wasn't enough, there are also bottle deals available on the night! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience the newest and most vibrant night in town. AURA is a 20+ event, and doors open at 10 PM sharp. Get your tickets now and be part of the most exciting party in town!”

For more information, check out Link 48 on Facebook and Instagram @link48derry.

Also this Saturday, MAI is launching their debut single 'Hologram Halo' in the Nerve Centre, with support from Klyda, Humanitas and Black Rose. It's sure to be a great night and is free entry. Tickets can be found on the Nerve Centre website. Doors open at 7pm and the first act takes the stage at 8pm.