DONEGAL CULTURE: This summer there are some incredible festivals and concerts coming to Donegal, and below is a complete guide to all of them!
Lisa Hannigan @ the Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Sunday 19 June, 8pm:
Lisa Hannigan first played the Balor in July 2008 prior to the release of her debut solo album Sea Sew, which went double platinum, was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in Ireland and the Mercury Prize in the UK.
Her follow up Passenger went straight in at Number 1 on it’s first week of release and earned Lisa another Choice Music Prize Nomination.
With a long awaited 3rd studio album set for release in 2016 the Balor is delighted to welcome Lisa back for what promises to be one of the musical highlights in Donegal this year.
http://balorartscentre.com<http://balorartscentre.com> for info and booking
Sea Sessions, Bundoran, Friday 24 – Sunday 26 June:
The headlining acts at this year’s Sea Sessions, Ireland’s premier music, camping and surfing life-style event, are Gavin James on Friday, Primal Scream on Saturday and Tinie Tempah on Sunday.
After a successful 2015 which saw Gavin James perform to over 1 million people around the world and support acts including Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Taylor Swift, he embarks on his first European headline tour in 2016.
Primal Scream formed in the 80’ and after two Indie Rock albums they got Andrew Weatherhall to produce their 3rd Screamadelica.
Relased in 1991 it won The Mercury Music Prize and is regarded as one the best albums of the 1990’s.
Tinie Tempah is one of the most successful acts on the planet at present, his No.1 debut album, Disc-Overy has sold 1.2 million copies, he has sold 4 million singles and received 12 major awards (including two BRITS, three MOBOs and an Ivor Novello).
http://seasessions.com<http:// seasessions.com> for info and booking
Swell Festival, Arranmore Island, Friday 8 – Sunday 10 July:
The annual music and arts festival brings 80+ acts performing rock, indie, folk, electronica and traditional music, spoken word, comedy, dance and circus performance to Arranmore Island, with camping available onsite.
This year’s attractions include The Mountain Stage with Donal Dineen, New Jackson (DJ Set), Strength and Shammen Delly on Saturday and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Árchú, Joy Dunlop and Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde on Sunday.
http://swellfestival.com<http:// swellfestival.com> for info and booking
Donegal International Folk & Roots, Letterkenny, Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 July:
The second annual Donegal International Folk & Roots Weekend is one of the biggest music festivals ever held in Letterkenny.
It features a jam-packed five-day programme of talks, music sessions, busking and concerts in a variety of international folk and roots styles including the first ever Irish concert by Chouk Bwa Libète, one of the foremost Haitian Voodoo bands.
There is a special focus this year on Irish & English Folk song as part of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme.
The majority of concerts and talks are held at the Regional Cultural Centre with the final gala concert ‘Home to Ballybeg’, a tribute to Brian Friel by Manus Lunny, taking place at An Grianán Theatre on Sunday 17th.
http://eaf.ie<http://eaf.ie> for info and booking
Lynched performing on later with Jools Holland.
Wild Atlantic Weekend, Malin & Culdaff, Friday 22 – Sunday 24 July:
The final weekend of the Earagail Arts Festival features three great gigs and a Village Fair in North Inishowen.
There is a special home-coming concert with the Henry Girls in a circus tent on Malin’s Village Green on Friday evening followed by two afternoons featuring some of the funniest, most gravity defying and imaginative street and circus performers from across the island of Ireland.
There are two great gigs at McGrory’s Culdaff, with the specially commissioned In the Shadows of Steam on Saturday and Vieux Farka Toure ‘the Hendrix of the Sahara’ on Sunday.
http://eaf.ie<http://eaf.ie> for info and booking
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