Dear Reader –
We spotted three Galway GAA fans on the pitch in the AVIVA stadium last Saturday. They had just crossed the city from Croke Park where they had watched their team qualify for an All-Ireland final for the first time in over 20 years. Now they were letting loose to the Sugababes set and Westlife were still to come. Does life get any better, I wondered?
More Westlife and All-Ireland semi-final action in today’s letter…
**All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
But first…later today I’m looking forward to calling into Seán and Eamon in Tiger Print to lay out the 3rd Edition of my piano tuition book.
It’s an 8-Level step-by-step approach to playing the piano by ear - suitable for children and adults who want to learn to play the piano in this way.
Every year I learn more about what students want and need from this book, and so this year it will include a greater choice of songs, bite-size ear training puzzles, my latest attempt to make scales interesting (!) and for the first time - practice tips.
I will be taking on new students of all ages this September - more details to follow here and on my social media later in the month.
Where else but Sligo?
So - we saw Westlife last Saturday in the AVIVA stadium in Dublin, and what a night it was.
The lads leave nothing to chance, and invest hugely in the production of all elements of their show.
They seem to be constantly working at their set too, and produced at least two new medleys, and a great fresh arrangement of World of Our Own, complete with segue into Beyonce’s Crazy in Love.
They were obviously thrilled to be back out performing live. They were so grateful to their fans for giving them the opportunity to do what they love, and they marvelled several times about the now 23-year journey they have been on together.
And it was impossible not to get swept up in the whole thing. Local businessman and fan of all things Sligo Eamonn Cunningham was sitting behind me and as the night reached its climax he turned to me, clenched his fist and uttered the famous Sligo words ‘Up Our Side’!
We may not have a team in the All-Ireland Final (this year anyway) but in ways this was the same. Part of the joy of the night was the music and the show, but undeniably part of it too was cheering on three local lads who have conquered the pop music world yet managed to keep their feet on the ground.
I have shared this blog before - but it’s so good - on bands who stay together. There’s a magic about it.
What’s New?
KIAN EGAN INTERVIEW: Not new but certainly worth a listen. From late last year - Kian joined us on In The Lamplight and spoke honestly about the early days of the band, how they plan these massive stadium shows and why he chose to settle in Sligo.
KERRY v DUBLIN: My friends at Second Captains produced this evocative video of that free-kick which won the game for Kerry last Sunday. Watch here via Twitter. Also available on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
SLIGO JAZZ 2022: Starts this day next week! Browse or download the programme here.
Finally…
One of my Sligo Jazz favourites from years gone by - Liane Carroll and Meilana Gillard from 2018.
Till next time - Kieran.
