Chucklehead
BELIEVE.
Craic Boi Mental
Craic Boi Mental – rapper, producer and activist from Cork City, with a knack for lo-fi production and an innate ear for an inescapable hook.
His relentless work ethic and deeply idiosyncratic style have built him a Cult following worldwide. Now he’s fresh off the back of his sold Out US tour & looking forward to performing once again for his Irish fans.
A Burial At Sea
In a genre defined by self-seriousness, A Burial At Sea are the outsiders of the outsiders. The usual rock n’ roll setup of guitar, bass, drums is bolstered by a mini two-man horn section, which has resulted in the band to be labeled as “trumpet-core” and “post-rock mariachi”.
Aoife Nessa Frances
In the spring of 2020, Aoife Nessa Frances packed up her things in Dublin and moved to rural County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. It was there, amidst the stillness, that she began to work on the songs that would become her second album, Protector: a personal, mystical journey of self-discovery through dislocation, transformation, and restoration. “I might have been running away from my problems,” she admits. “I was disconnected from myself and from nature, but I found peace far away from the city, where there were no distractions. I isolated myself with nothing to do but make music.”
Recording took place in a small house in County Kerry, at the foothills of the Annascaul, along with Brendan Jenkinson (producer, keys, bass, synth, clarinet) and Brendan Doherty (drums). “We’d wake up early every day and swim at Inch Beach before making music,” Frances describes. “This ritual was crucial for our process. There was an unexplainable joy happening between the three of us.” The arrangements grew with later contributions from Ailbhe Nic Oiroictaigh (strings), Meabh McKenna (harp), and Conor O’Brien (horns). No matter how it expanded in scope and involvement, Frances never let it stray from a central focus on deep truths. “For me, Protector acknowledges the part of myself that steers me towards a brighter path. The almost psychotropic power of nature gave me a connection I never felt before. As the countryside seeped into me and lines of communication opened up with my family, I developed an ability to perceive myself and my choices within an expanded world.”
Protector builds pastoral landscapes through light flourishes and open spaces. Songs float along effortlessly, remaining anchored by Frances’ deep voice. Contemplative tempos tug along atmospheric synths, minimal bass, and shimmering guitar notes, conveying a serenity like early morning. “Writing and recording this album was a spiritual experience,” Frances explains. “I experienced love for my family on a level I didn’t know existed, while slowly putting myself back together and watching the ‘protector’ in me grow much bigger.”
Gemma Hayes
Gemma Hayes is a much loved and respected Irish singer songwriter. Her debut album, Night On My Side, was released in 2002, for which she won Best Female Artist at the Hot Press Awards and a Mercury Prize nomination. Since then she has released 4 critically acclaimed studio albums and a limited-edition live album. Gemma is constantly in demand for film and television placements – her version of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, recorded for the US TV series Pretty Little Liars, is now close to 19 million streams on Spotify alone.
Gemma is currently working on a new album which she herself describes as deconstructed folk-pop. Gemma will be releasing a song called High and Low at the end of February with her new album coming in September 2023.
Gwenifer Raymond
Gwenifer Raymond began playing guitar at the age of eight shortly after having been first exposed to punk and grunge. After years of playing around the Welsh valleys in various punk outfits she began listening more to pre-war blues musicians as well as Appalachian folk players, eventually leading into the guitar players of the American Primitive genre.
In 2018 she signed to the American label ‘Tompkins Square’ and released her first album ‘You Never Were Much of a Dancer’ to widespread acclaim. In 2020 her second album ‘Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain’ shifted somewhat from straight Americana and started to take more of a spiritual influence from the landscape of her homeland of Wales. Recalling from her childhood memories of spooky trees, black against the grey sky and breath misting in cold air there is present a style of guitar playing that could be referred to as ‘Welsh Primitive’.
Gwenifer has toured extensively throughout the UK and the Europe and has established herself as one of the leading lights of the scene, and not to be missed under any circumstances.
THANK
“Obnoxious noise fuelled punk for the dance floors.” – Birthday Cake For Breakfast
“Half of Thank’s songs feel like Hulk hands punching upward and the other half are akin to smashing dinner plates out of sheer frustration.” – Treble Zine
“This Leeds band pairs brawny arrangements with furious, bug-eyed vocals.” – Bandcamp Daily
The Busquitos
The Busquitos are an energetic and versatile entertainment all-genre swing quartet (guitar, saxophone, violin, bass/vocals) for all ages. They play their music and improvisations with astonishing ease and contagious joy, actively involving the listeners in the show. With an eclectic repertoire ranging from the Roaring Twenties to modern pop hits, The Busquitos perform a mix of Hot Club, Jazz, Country, Rock & Roll, and more. Their songs include hits from Django Reinhardt, Louis Prima, Sonny Rollins, Irving Berlin, and even recognizable TV tunes like those of Benny Hill and Walt Disney. The band also writes and performs their own catchy and hilarious songs. The Busquitos are known for their ability to connect with the audience and get them involved in the show. They mingle with the crowd, spontaneously start line dances and limbo contests, and even play serenades. Their performances are a surprising mix of humor and great music, leaving audiences unable to sit still. The band has recorded several albums and has performed at festivals across Europe and beyond, earning international recognition for their lively and entertaining shows. Join Jelle Van Tongeren on violin, Thomas Streutgers on saxophone, Lex Reerink on guitar, and Matthieu Cleijne on bass/vocals for a fun-filled and unforgettable musical journey full of laughter, surprises, and great music.
They will be all over town: Catch them at the following gigs:
Thurs 8pm Scannells
Fri 6pm DeBarras
Sat 10pm The Courtyard
Sunday 4pm Astna Aquare
Girlfriend
girlfriend. is a 5 piece band making visceral and emotional alternative rock music. Formed in 2015, the band began as a noisy emo-rock band playing shows in the local North Dublin area. They recorded their debut 5 track EP ‘3AM Rituals’ as teens in the drummer’s spare room. This EP was met with acclaim by DIY music groups, and thrust them into the Irish music scene where they paved their way as lo-fi rockers. The release of the singles ‘Spitkissing/Small Smile Grow’ in 2018 cemented their vital presence as experimental and impassioned musicians in the local music community.
Since their first releases, the band has played countless shows across the country – including opening slots for high profile acts such as Pillow Queens, The Garden and Dream Wife – and now have numerous festival slots under their name such as Electric Picnic and Other Voices.
The quartet’s sound has evolved and matured alongside them since their early days, veering now towards noise rock tinged slowcore. Their songs examine themes of intimacy, identity, and trauma in post-catholic Ireland and frequently showcase a deep appreciation for subtlety, physical space and catharsis. The band attempts to channel the chaos of the world around them into heartfelt, passionate nuanced rock music.
girlfriend.’s highly anticipated debut album was recorded in Orphan Studios, Wexford and Hellfire Studios, Dublin at the beginning of 2022. Produced by Peter Ashmore (Pillow Queens, Villagers, For Those I Love, We Cut Corners), their debut album will be released late 2023. The band made an explosive return to the live music circuit in 2022, with highlights including selling out their Cork debut headline show, headlining Feile na Greine festival in Limerick and supporting acclaimed U.S. band Mannequin Pussy on the Irish leg of their tour. They released their grunge rock single “Repent” in December 2022 before a headline sold out show at the Workman’s Cellar in January 2023. In March they released the shoegaze inspired ‘Trust’ to fan and critical acclaim.
Andrew Whelton
After beginning guitar 6 years ago it wasn’t until lockdown that Andrew really began to drive forward with the instrument learning new songs and playing styles over this period of time. This, combined with growing live performance experience gigging in Limerick, DeBarras and trad sessions in Ardfield under the watchful eyes of Jim Murray & CIGF co- organiser Kevin McNally has him ear marked as one to watch for the future.
Andrew’s delicate finger picking and interpretation of modern pop through the lens of classic folk is a welcome addition to the burgeoning West Cork Musical scene …