Bill Shanley is an internationally renowned guitarist and producer,
working with esteemed artists such as Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mary Black and Sinead O’Connor.
Dublin based, Bill is one of Irelands top session and touring guitar players and producers. Bill has established himself internationally too, through touring and contributing to albums with Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Paul Brady, Mary Black, Roy Harper, Alexandra Burke, Sinead O’Connor, Judy Collins, Jackson Browne to name a few.
Being an accompanist has always been of key interest to Bill, enjoying the great scope and limitless backdrop you can create as a player for the artist you’re working with. This skill was commented on in the Financial Times review of a Ray Davies show a the Royal Albert Hall…
“Is there a finer sideman around?
It’s unlikely.” – Financial Times Review, Royal Albert Hall
Solo Work – Midnight Mission
Midnight Mission is the title of Bill Shanley’s second solo album. Original recordings inspired by the excitement and melodies of early electric guitar music. The album draws on Bill’s world class guitar playing and ability to write great, timeless melodies and features special guests Ray Davies and Paul Brady. Midnight Mission is Bill’s second solo release preceded by Fingerpainting.
Nigel Wearne saunters after dark in the music of the night, blending blues, jazz and Americana-noir. Hailing from Gunditjmara country in the deep south of Australia, he’s a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with diverse influences such as Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones.
Nigel has played some of the world’s most prestigious music festivals, including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (USA), MerleFest (USA), Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (USA), Adelaide Guitar Festival (Australia) and the Philadelphia Folk Festival (USA).
His sophomore album, ‘Black Crow’ garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4-STAR review in Rolling Stone, a nomination for Best Country Album at the Music Victoria Awards and it debuted at #1 on Australia’s AMRAP Charts. His 2023 offering ‘The Reckoning’ received back-to-back nominations for Best Blues Work at the 2023 & 2024 Music Victoria Awards and a 4-STAR review in The Australian. Nigel’s new album, ‘The Lone Reckoning’ marks a return to his roots as a folk songwriter. A raw, emotive, stripped back rendition of his full band album ‘The Reckoning’.
A deep thinker and truth seeker with a penchant for all things peculiar, he sings of human frailty, grace and the cosmos; songwriting that cuts to the bone. “Tailor made for fans of Tom Waits… with fire and brimstone lyrics that recall Nick Cave” – Rhythms Magazine. “Poignant and mysterious” – Maverick Magazine UK. “Vocal swagger of Van Morrison and dark spirituality and intelligence of Nick Cave” 4 STARS – The Australian.
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.
As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal style has a unique almost sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to charm, mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.
A native of Cork, the County he lovingly describes as “the centre of the universe” and a source of huge creative influence throughout his career. John’s music is inspired by and encapsulates Irish traditional music in its contemporary form – a reflection of Ireland today.
A two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad act John is one of the most accomplished songwriters in Ireland. With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keaneand many others. Twelve albums later in April 2021, John released his first independent album in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.
John Spillane shared his most artistically ambitious work to date: Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough, on Friday 13th September 2024. The concept album, released on double CD and digital, features John alongside a stellar cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more and has gone on to be named as ‘Album of The Year’ at the RTE Folk Awards.
Sean Coleman has been repairing and maintaining valve equipment in Ireland for decades .. if you have an old valve amp or ribbon mic it’s probably been through his hands at some stage of its life . Sean is delighted to share his knowledge of valve amp maintenance with anyone who is interested. Come along and see how to change valves, navigate circuitry and care for your vintage equipment. 1-2pm Sunday 22nd . ( he’s not going to fix your amp , you’ll have to do that yourself!)
Sat 20th – 4pm O’Donovan’s Front Bar – Hosted by Kevin McNally
Sun 21st – 3pm Fiddlers Green – hosted by Liz Clarke of The Kates
Do you have a party piece? that one song or tune that you can pull out at a gathering that will get everyone singing along, tapping their feet, or lost in a reverie? Party Piece is a relaxed participatory music session for everyone, regardless of musical experience in which we help you to play the music that’s close to your heart. It is about the simple joy of sharing songs and sounds with each other and the aim is to play a shared repertoire of tunes and songs that are easy to join in with and that have a wide appeal. Our anchor musician will facilitate the learning (or remembering) of these tunes, and participants are encouraged to sing or bring any instrument they might have to contribute, just turn up and join in!
Party Piece is supported By Creative Ireland, Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht and Cork County Council, and Music Alive
David Murphy will take Clonakilty Guitar Festival aficionados on a deep-dive into the world of the steel guitar. Discussing the history and evolution of this unique instrument from its origins in Hawaiian music, bluegrass and country into experimental and ambient music in the 21st century. This talk and exhibition will feature performances on the weissenborn acoustic lap steel, dobro and pedal steel guitars.
John Spillane is a long-time friend of CIGF, playing at almost every edition bar two, as well as spearheading our attempts to break the World Record for the largest ensemble guitar performance in 2009 where 981 guitarists played ‘Óró sé do bheatha abhaile in unison. “It was like a scene from a Disney movie,” — John Spillane
John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.
After his acclaimed release of 100 Snow White Horses in 2021, in October 2022, John will released ‘In Another Light’ a career spanning album recorded live at the Right Here Right Now Festival recorded at Cork Opera House in November 2021.
LEARN A SONG WITH THE KATES.
Learn to sing and harmonise the song Ketchum ID by Boygenius.
Familiarise yourself with the song then join The Kates on Saturday September 10th. They’ll guide you through the song, split it into harmonies and perform it together at the end.
Don’t miss it!
The Kates are Liz Clark (elec gtr), Mide Houlihan (drums), Eve Clague (elec gtr), Mary Beth O Mahony ( keys) & Paula K (bass).
KETCHUM ID.
By Boygenius.
Back in the States now
In a college town
I would walk around
But it’s really coming down
Mesmerized by double lines
Two yellow tightropes
I’m making good time
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
Being in love is the same thing as being alone
Giving the sorrows and company
Nothing to say, stay on the phone
No, I’m sorry I do not know
What else you want from me
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
You say, “How are you”
I say, “I don’t know
Let’s dissolve the band, move to Idaho”
Everyone’s around and I hear you smiling
You say, “I love you”
I say, “You too”
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough to know
Ooh
Ooh
I am never anywhere
Anywhere I go
When I’m home, I’m never there
Long enough…