Rockin’ The Boat

Dear Reader - firstly a reminder that Teenage Theme Night #34 takes place in the Model this coming Friday Saturday and Sunday. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this looks like it will be the best one yet!

Still some tickets here.

The Big Thing

I made the trip to Belfast on Sunday evening to see a gig in the Ulster Hall. It was my first time in the venue - it’s a bit like the National Concert Hall but slightly smaller.

Michael Rooney was conducting a 105-strong orchestra playing his arrangements of Máirtín O’Connor’s music. Theme Night regulars will be familiar of course with both artists - Michael as someone who regularly joins us and Máirtín as a visiting artist on our Let’s Dance show last October.

I loved it. The show also featured Zoe Conway (fiddle and vocals) and John McIntyre (guitar) and it was such a treat. Máirtín’s music is so interesting and uplifting - and Michael’s choices and arrangements were spot on. Plus the orchestra were right on top of what at times was quite difficult music.

One tune in particular built and built and built - my mind was urging them to keep going keep going keep building - there’s more in ye - go on go on go on - and Michael milked every last drop of it - it was just fantastic.

On top of it all it was just so nice to see Michael up there in front of almost 1000 people doing his thing and doing it so well!

But the best thing about going to see these gigs is when they light a fire inside you…

Where else but Sligo?

Great to see the big stage back in Queen Maeve Square this weekend.

And equally great to see the line-ups over the three nights featuring lots of local talent - the Pound Street Boys, Sonic Minds, The Atlantic, Grooveline and Phoenix (pictured below), featuring 6 members of our Theme Night Academy - Darragh, Eoin, Cal, Zach, Sam and Dara.

Reports back were strong from all gigs and I spoke to two of the participating musicians today - both said that they would love to get up and do the gig all over again tonight. Well done to all!

What’s New?

1. LORRAINE O’REILLY NEW MUSIC: Another of our Visiting Artists from last October. Listen to Lorraine’s new single here.

2. SLIGO GAA: Great to see the men’s footballers hit a bit of form as championship season approaches!

3. ROCKIN’ THE BOAT: I found that Máirtín O’Connor tune that built and built mentioned above. Listen below from 1:49 on. I’m afraid you’ll have to imagine the 105-strong orchestra though!

Finally…

One of Michael’s tunes we played together - written one Christmas day if I remember correctly.
Also featuring Marie O’Byrne and Niamh Crowley.

Till next time - Kieran.

The Graduates…

Dear Reader - Lots of really exciting Theme Night Academy events taking place in the next few weeks - so today’s letter is a celebration of some of the musicians who have graduated from this programme over the last 10 years.

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But first - Teenage Theme Night #34 takes place the weekend after next.

March 21-23 in The Model.

4 shows, including a matinee on Sunday.

You can get tickets here.

*Please note that there is a concession price for U-18s but these tickets are only available to be bought in person in The Model.

Where else but Sligo?

Emily Meades only took part in two Teenage Theme Nights but her performance of Imelda May’s Black Tears has left a legacy. Even seven years later some of the current crop are looking to perform it. Imelda herself shared one such video last year.

Here is an example of what Emily can do - with members of our Theme Night band.

What’s New?

Some of my favourite performances from previous members of our Academy.

1. WHEN SHE LOVED ME: Sung by Cara Carleton (2024).

2. SEVENTEEN GOING UNDER: Vocals by Sam White (2015), percussion by Sam Purcell.

3. JESSICA McCAUNA: Vocals and song by Pro Murray (2024).
   Guitar Michael Clancy, Bass Sean Murray, Drums Morgan McNamee.

Finally…

The aforementioned performance.
From Theme Night #22. Vicar St - Feb 2019.

See you next week I hope!

Till next time - Kieran.

Funk folk and film…

Dear Reader - lots of music recommendations for you today. As per today’s title.
But first…

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It was lovely to meet parents and students for the first time in Wesley House in Dublin on Sunday. You never know what you’re going to get when you walk into a room of children, and this day was no different.

• Firstly these children got to play their concert pieces on a Yamaha baby grand piano - how great is that!

• One of our younger students got the biggest cheer of the day when she finished her piece and took an unprompted yet elegant and theatrical bow.

• Teacher Paddy Keyes was universally described as ‘cool’ by parents and students alike! Check out his recently released debut EP here.

• Finally - I loved this answer. In the workshop that preceded the concert I had a chat with the students about practising. I asked students to tell me what worked for them regarding their practice. One boy simply said '“I find it easy to practise because I just love playing the piano”.

Where else but Sligo?

Sometimes music will say it better than words ever can.

What’s New?

1. SANGAH NOONA - IL POSTINO: Just beautiful. Listen here.

2. STEPHANIE RAINEY AND PADDY KEYES: Coming to the Hawk’s Well later this month. Stephanie was our Saturday Visiting Artist on Theme Night #35 last October and you guys loved her. Tickets here.

3. SEE BELOW:

Finally…

What a clever (and funky!) arrangement…no doubt Elton would approve!

Till next time - Kieran.

Where else but Liverpool?

Dear Reader - I was in Liverpool last weekend, and even sacrificed my Saturday night out because I had a Beatles bus tour booked for early on Sunday morning…

The Big Thing

And I loved it. I’m not generally a tour person but the opportunity to see the city of Liverpool through the prism of one of my favourite bands was too good to pass up.

Here are a few interesting things I learned along the way…

• The childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney are now museums and owned by the National Trust.

• Their houses were two bus journeys apart. The change happened at a bus shelter in the middle of a roundabout just beside a street called Penny Lane.

• This shelter, the barber shop and other features in that song are actually on a neighbouring street called Smithdown Place, but that just wouldn’t sound as good as Penny Lane.

• Ringo Starr had his first no.1 album last month at the age of 84!

• The most listened to Beatles song on Spotify is George Harrison’s Here Comes The Sun.

Where else but Liverpool?

Regular readers will know of this section and how it tries to show off all aspects of my home town of Sligo - which I feel is exactly what Paul McCartney does here with Liverpool. A joy to watch from start to finish.

What’s New?

3 great Beatles books I have read over the years…all available to order at your local bookshops.

1. THE BEATLES: THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY: By Hunter Davies. Does exactly what it says in the title.

2. ONE TWO THREE FOUR - THE BEATLES IN TIME: By Ctaig Brown. Some great snapshots and stories of the band.

3. THE BEATLES - COMPLETE SCORES: Every note ever played on a Beatles song. Transcribed and published. An amazing piece of work.

Finally…

The most accurate live reproduction of Penny Lane you’ll see…fascinating.

Till next time - Kieran.

Parts and Charts…

Dear Reader - first of all we’re going back in time a bit today…

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I loved this. From Theme Night Academy graduate Joe Gorman.

And now that things are a bit quieter I’m reading it again.

Possibly my favourite ever New Year’s resolutions article.

In mid-February - ah sure why not?!

We can start at again any time.

Where else but Sligo?

Nothing we don’t know but sometimes a reminder is nice.

A note of appreciation for our landscape and fresh air.

Go on - get out in it!

What’s New?

1. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL: Thanks for all your emails. The response has been huge. Really looking forward to making this video later in the year.

2. ANIMANIACS GEOGRAPHY LESSON: Was reminded of this during the week…

3. PARTS AND CHARTS: The latest in the schedule of Theme Night Academy masterclasses took place last Wednesday. I spoke about writing charts for a band and Niamh Crowley brought the teens through some exercises on writing parts for strings. Great to see so many energised teenagers once again!

Finally…

This came up on my daughter’s playlist the other day. It’s timeless really.

Till next time - Kieran.

Something Beautiful

Dear Reader - What a beautiful week. From start to finish…

These guys (Clada) brought incredible energy to our first two shows last week. We had a magic couple of hours with them on Thursday afternoon recording this…

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This piece got a big reaction last week. At the shows and judging from your emails since. Many of you asked where you could hear it again so I attach a video below of Niamh and I playing it in 2021.

And a reminder - if you have any ideas regarding a video we want to make for it - please send an email to themenightshq@gmail.com

Where else but Sligo?

I posted a reflection on Theme Night #36 on Facebook and Instagram yesterday.

I’ll repost the text below, although please click on the links if you want to see some photos. It was so good to see so many of you there - and I really felt the support - so thank you all.

Theme Night #36 flew past in a blaze of surprises, humour and great performances.
It felt like musicians and audiences alike knew it was the only such show this year and were determined to give even more than usual as a result.

It was an emotional week. Joyful and nostalgic in equal measure.
The best yet lots of you said.
And contrary to what some people thought - I’m not retiring!

I was however more nervous than usual beforehand - there was more of me on display I guess. Song choices, some of my own compositions and some personal dedications. But that made the payoff greater - thank you to everyone for your support on this.

And so now we take a pause to figure out what comes next.
And while I’m looking forward to that, there will still be lots happening - so keep an eye on these pages.

What’s New?

1. BOOKS: I have been bought a few books as presents recently - and finally got to start one last night. Here are the titles - and I’ll let you know over the coming weeks if I have any strong recommendations.
   - Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
   - what art does by Brian Eno and Bette Adriaanse
   - Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan
   - The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

2. MASTERCLASS #5 - PARTS AND CHARTS: As part of our Theme Night Academy programme - with Niamh Crowley and I. The focus this time is on arranging - and it takes place this evening.

3. FIRST DUBLIN CONCERT: We had a lovely evening in Clontarf GAA Club on Monday last. Lots of new students getting to perform for the first time in a supportive and friendly environment. And we had cake!

Finally…

One of my favourite pieces of music, and I have just been informed that Paul McCartney closed with it at a surprise New York gig last night.
It was Joe Hunt’s choice initially - and what a choice!
We did from Golden Slumbers (10:45) to The End…

Till next time - Kieran.

Red Moon Rising!

Dear Reader - The only Theme Night of 2025 starts tomorrow…

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And we’re at the stage of preparations where I find it difficult to get any perspective on the show. In show week you must trust in the vision that you and your team have crafted, and move from job to job in rehearsals in the effort to realise it.

Usually l emerge from this at around 7pm on Wednesday and switch from rehearsal mode to show mode and we present to you the results of our work.

And then you guys get to decide how you feel about it.

So here we are - for the 36th time. And once again I’m hopeful. And nervous.
Trusting. And excited!

Looking forward to seeing lots of you there.
Last few tickets (for Wednesday only) here.

Where else but Sligo?

Last Wednesday we launched the Theme Night Academy.

We had a lovely gathering in the GlassHouse Hotel. The room was full of people who have been a part of the Teenage Theme Nights over the last 10 years and it was nice to celebrate how far we have come in the company of our friends and supporters.
Our special guests for the evening were Shane and Gillian Filan, and it was also great to see some graduates back doing their thing.
Joe Gorman hosted the event for us, Paddy Keyes sang one of his recent releases, and producer of the Academy’s programme Joy Feehily told the room of the thought and intention behind it all.

The evening was packed with music and conversation - one highlight being a new version of Swear It Again from three current members of the Academy - Amber, Sarah and Zach.

It was so nice to have the opportunity to tell everyone of our plans for the future - and indeed we are looking forward to it as we continue to nurture the development of teenagers through music performance and education.

What’s New?

1. NEW SLIGO ROVERS ANTHEM: We recorded this the other day - and we are very much looking forward to launching it for the upcoming season in the Showgrounds. It will be exclusively premiered on Theme Night #36 this week.

2. STAKEKNIFE: Once again Mark Horgan has told a dark story from past days in Ireland through the lens of those most affected by it. I listened to the final episode yesterday, and it gripped me from start to finish. Find it here.

3. BENSON BOONE AT THE GRAMMYS: Costume (ahem!) changes, acrobatics, light show - this performance has it all!

Finally…

Michael Rooney is one of our special guests on Theme Night #36.
This is his tune, but we didn’t get to play it together on this occasion - am so excited about doing so this week.

Till next time - Kieran.

Shock tactics!

Dear Reader -

Delighted to present our first Theme Nights release of 2025 - and as @thehuntersburrow7453 commented on YouTube last night - 'I feel like I've found some secret treasure'.

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You may have seen on my social media that next week’s Theme Night #36 is going to be the only Sligo Theme Night of 2025.

The short explanation is that I feel in order for the shows to endure, I need a bit of time to reflect and think to ensure they stay fresh and exciting for all involved.
You can catch further thoughts on this on my Facebook or Instagram.

The focus can now turn fully to next week’s shows however, and wow have we something amazing lined up for you all.

• Possibly the most personal Theme Night so far - and that scares me!

• Some of my favourite songs being sung by some of my favourite singers.

• Brand new music being premiered.

• One of our strongest ever teenage sections.

• And for the first time in 36 Theme Nights, we’re employing shock tactics - wait till you see our opening!

Tickets still available for Wednesday night Feb 5th.
The only Sligo Theme Night of 2025 - please join us!
Get them here before they’re gone.

Where else but Sligo?

I sometimes feel that I'm always telling you about how great this show or that show was. And that you must be thinking 'ah they can't all be that good'!
But it's a sign that things are going well I guess, because I genuinely do get a buzz from them all.

And also Sunday night WAS amazing,

Our biggest Young Songwriters' Showcase yet. 19 brand new songs. Evidence that our Theme Night Academy programme is working - Steve Wickham gave a fantastic masterclass in November on songwriting and he was in inspirational form that night.

Plus it was our first time in the Hawk’s Well Theatre - and I just loved seeing all the teenagers up there on that stage performing their own music. And once soundchecks were over they basically ran the show themselves. Blaine Heekin and Mimi Lee keeping the show moving like pros. Even when the unexpected arose.

And the standard of the songs was so high. Rory Maitland and Luke Devaney left really excited about so many possibilities for recording songs and videos with this bunch. Plus the sense of community and friendship among this group would do your heart good.

More to come in these pages…

What’s New?

1. THEME NIGHT ACADEMY LAUNCH: A big week for us in the Theme Night Academy. Last Sunday you read about above, Thursday sees our 4th Open Mic of the year, and on Wednesday we officially launch the Academy with the help of special guest Shane Filan. More in next week’s letter.

2. DOLLY PARTON ON POINT AGAIN: “I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life, because I learned early that if you don’t, you get disappointed a lot. If you do, you might be pleasantly surprised quite often.

   I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. I re-read passages from my favorite books. I hold the little treasures that somebody special gave me. By keeping my eyes open for unexpected joys, I find the world gives back more than we sometimes think.”

3. COOLERA LIPSYNC FUNDRAISER: What a night! Surpassed all expectations. Would recommend it to anyone looking to raise a few quid.
   Nice spending it in the company of Lauren and Brian too.

Finally…

One of ‘Kieran’s choices’ for next week…

Till next time - Kieran.