Dear Reader - Quick question before we start - what are your memories of Sligo in the 1980s? Reply to this email with whatever comes to you…
The Big Thing
Because there’s only one big thing on the agenda for the next few weeks - and that’s Theme Night #37 - The 80s - and it’s the only Theme Night as you know it of 2026!
I put out a couple of requests last week - one for song suggestions and one for new singers - and it’s clear from the volume of responses that there is so much love for the music of this decade and also great memories from this time in people’s lives.
The biggest stress is that there’s just no way we can include all the songs you want!
But as always we will do our best to match great songs to great singers and bring you not only on an entertaining and nostalgic journey through the music of the 80s - but also (with your help) bring you back to the Ireland and the Sligo we knew at that time.
Still some tickets here.
Where else but Sligo?
I’m delighted today to be able to show you all Our Town - written and performed by Sam Regan - and featuring some past and present members of our Theme Night Academy.
It was selected to be recorded after the 2025 Young Songwriters' Showcase and was released last month.
All with thanks to generous support from Creative Ireland.
This year's Young Songwriters' Showcase takes place this Sunday 18th in the Hawk’s Well Theatre and we can't wait to see what this year's crop of teenage musicians have in store!
But first do check out this song…
What’s New?
Speaking of original material from young musicians, the students of the Sligo Sudbury School have written an a brand new musical called ‘Just One Song’.
Writing a musical is such an amazing feat in itself - Shaun Purcell is the only other person I know locally who has done this - so even before the guys get this show on stage they deserve massive credit. And such an enterprise deserves support.
It debuts in the Hawk’s Well Theatre in March - and you can get your tickets for this unique achievement here.
Finally…
For those musical theory nerds out there - the first two notes of this chorus are one of the few examples in a pop melody of a major seventh interval!
For those who are simply into their 80s music - enjoy this great song!
Till next time - Kieran.
