Other Voices waxes lyrical for tenth time
THE musical phenomenon that is Other Voices rolled into Dingle last week as St. James Church on Main Street played host to some of the most exciting contemporary artists on the scene today.
There was great excitement and anticipation around town in advance of the four day music series, which will be screened on RTE later this year, as tickets could not be purchased for any of the gigs. Instead, tickets had to be secured through competitions and among the eager music lovers who beat a path to Dingle was Jane O'donovan fromkillarney, Shane Ferriter from Ballyferriter and Keith O Faoilean, Tralee, who were The Kerryman's competition winners.
However, the hordes who travelled to Dingle without tickets were not disappointed as the performances were screened live in Benner's, Foxy John's, Geaney's, Maccarthy's and An Droichead Beag.
This was the tenth anniversary of the seminal music series, which also welcomed a new presenter in the form of Irish actor Aidan Gillen of Love/hate, and The Wire.
Proceedings opened on Thursday night, with series founder Philip King welcoming the 70 or so who were lucky enough to obtain tickets, before trad super group Truir (Martin Hayes, Peadar O'riada and Caoimhin O'raghallaigh took to the stage.
The stunning St. Vincent (a name to watch out for) captivated the audience with her searing lyrics and electric guitar before Irish 'band du jour' Little Green Cars made their mark with some tasty guitar work.
Firm West Kerry favourites The Coronas belted their way through a major performance before the legends that are The Frames shook the foundations of St. James's.
Opening proceedings on Friday night was Blarney native, and no stranger to Dingle, Mick Flannery who performed five untitled songs from his forthcoming album, followed by James Vincent Mcmorrow whose four-song set paid homage to performers of Other Voices past – including a rendition of Amy Winehouse's Love Is A Losing Game and The National's Bloodbuzz Ohio.
Canadian singer Al Spx, a quiet and reserved lady, who transforms on stage as Cold Specks, then filled the Church with deep blues and rich folk before Other Voices favourite Lisa Hannigan performed tracks from her Passenger album.
Saturday night saw Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte join Philip King on stage for a discussion about the convergence of music and technology before Band of Skulls took to the stage, followed by Frank Turner who travelled from Berlin to perform in Dingle.
In an inspiring set in the church, Edwyn Collins played songs from his two albums, Home Again and Losing Sleep, backed by two acoustic guitarists before the night was closed by UK folk musicians Cherry Ghost, who were joined by Jimi Goodwin, bassist and lead man with Doves.
Sunday night saw Other Voices come to a climactic conclusion as Spiritualized, Wild Beasts, Ben Howard, King Charles and SBTRKT performed. Minister for the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan was also in attendance, earning him the moniker of ' Jimmy Dub-step' by some verbally salubrious revellers.
There is no doubt that Other Voices has really put Dingle and Kerry on the map and this year's Other Voices event was in many ways on another level.
