Five intimate gigs - 'Autumnal Blooms' – at John Lee’s Bar in Tullamore

THIS autumn - from Saturday next, August 23 - will see a series of five intimate gigs showcasing some of Irelands established independent artists along with some local emerging talent part funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

The first event on August 23 features the acclaimed Tolu Makay, a Nigerian- Irish singer songwriter who lived in Tullamore before starting on her musical career as an alternative pop and soul singer who fuses gospel undertones, R&B textures and a fearless emotional core that speaks to transformation, resilience and the search for self.

Also performing on the night will be other local acts Sorcha Fahy and Olivia Burke two of Tullamore’s rising stars on the independent music scene with original songs to savour. Sorcha released her latest single in June and is making a name for herself with recent guest slots with other established acts while Olivia is busy writing her own material for her debut album.

The second gig is on Sunday September 21 featuring Daoiri Farrell from Dublin, an All Ireland Champion singer at the 2013 Fleadh Cheoil and the winner of 2 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Playing an Irish bouzouki he is one of the most important traditional singers to emerge in the last decade with an effortless, instinctive natural style.

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Special guest on the night is local talent Hubert Murray who has a voice bursting from the soul and is influenced by the songs of John Martyn, Beck and Jeff Buckley amongst others.

On Saturday September 27, an alternative music special event will take place with some local acts Fierce Shook featuring the Holmes brothers and Rob Moore all from Tullamore but based in Dublin playing tracks from their new mini album which combines punk, surfer rock and unexpected experimentation with some incredible song writing.

Also on the bill are Carpark Sci Fi (aka Gav Cowley) from Tullamore who has been developing a way of expressing his talent through music, song and visual art which he projects onto a screen throughout his set.

From Limerick ZKELLIES will bring their high octane live performance-focused dance music project describes as techno music made by hand and foot with no backing tracks , sequencers or click tracks.

To finish the series of gigs Lee’s bar brings some of Irelands top performers in the guise of Liam O Maonlai (Hot House Flowers) and Ronan O Snodaigh (Kila) on Friday October 3 and The Frank and Walters Acoustic on Saturday, October 4.

To witness acts of this calibre in such an intimate setting is a rare chance to hear them perform up close and in person and with a special reduced price weekend ticket for the two gigs or individual ones.

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With special guests on Friday, Neil Moran and the Still House from Kilbeggan and Luke Finn and friends playing some trad to start the night while Saturday Killeigh girl, Dubh Lee will perform her new single amongst other tracks before TFAW acoustic and opening the show will be local legends Joe and Richie Mooney. Other acts to be added across the five nights. Tickets for one or all gigs available from www.leesbar.ie