About

MusicTown 2021

announces programme

to engage audiences in imaginative ways,

as artists continue to create exciting work despite challenges.

15th – 25th April 2021

From Rooftop lullabies performed across the City,
to new five-minute musical works, from choral performances,to celebrating DJ culture,

from an exploration of sexual identities in Irish music, to an exciting video installation projected on buildings across the city and so much more,

Dublin is all about Music this April.

Each April something special happens in Dublin. Over 10 days,producers, artists and musicians work together, celebrating music of allgenres in both established venues and unorthodox locations. Putting creativity, diversity, community and history, centre stage, MusicTownnurtures collaborations between artists and across disciplines and the results are very special indeed.

 Committed to continuing to support artists at this difficult time, Dublin City Council in association with Foggy Notions and Aiken Promotions, today unveiled the programme for MusicTown 2021, which celebratescommunity, durability, and adaptability.

Knowing one day, we will return to live music performed in venues to physical audiences, for this year contributing producers and artists in MusicTown have been asked to present their work online in imaginative ways to engage audience.

All events will be available to watch online via the MusicTown YouTube. Links will be available on this website closer to the event date.

MusicTown 2021 line-up includes:

Cathy Davey makes a very welcome return to live performance in her first live show since Oct 2019.

Rooftop Lullabies sung to the city and her people before, during and after dusk. Irish classic songs, delivered from the rooftops of Dublin City, featuring Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde, BrigidMae Power and Monjola.

 A filmic collaboration between David Kitt, author Kevin Barryand video artist Claireban Coffey set in a fictional town in the west of Ireland.

An exploration of sexual identities in Irish music and literary traditions from Bob Gallagher, Ronan Kealy (Junior Brother), Claire Kinsella (Lemoncello), and Gareth Quinn Redmond with Sallay Garnett (Loah), Pamela Connolly (Pillow Queens) JaneClarke and FeliSpeaks.

 Experience Brian Irvine, John McIlduff and members of the Totally Made-Up Orchestra’s ‘Big Mistake’ music video installation, projected at multiple sites across the city, while you listen to accompanying audio online.

 Nine, five-minute, newly commissioned musical responses to 2020, performed by duos in Crash Ensemble, by composers outside of the contemporary music sphere.

Fears performs her debut album, Oíche in its entirety, with musical guests bringing the world of Oíche to life.

The Electric Kazoo, a fun family music show presented by Paul, Sam and Aislinn Noonan.

A unique collaboration between Ardú and Palestrina Choir, staged in the Pro Cathedral, featuring the World Premiere of The Phoenix by Carl Corcoran & Art McGann.

Word Up Collective tells the story of a modern Dublin, featuring Tebi Rex, Daire Patel, Natalya O’Flaherty, RAJI Music, SashaTerfous and Nathan Sauramba.

Ronan Kealy Bob Gallagher invite you to have a gawk at a specially created Junior Brother concert stream and discussion where they will strip bare their creative process.

A special cinematic one-person show performed by AdrianCrowley, in collaboration with ​  filmmaker Niall McCann, a look into the inner life of the artist.

A spark of light inspired by the golden hour, an intimate concert film of contemporary music featuring work by Rachael Lavelle and Aran O’Grady, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Caroline Shaw, Johann Johannson and Joni Mitchell.

A video project featuring a new piece by Andy Smith and ZecaMunhoz including the Music Together Band and guests.

Never-before-heard recordings of the 21st century musical explorations of a mid-20th century  secret society of musicians who experimented with time travel.

A 3-part production from ChoiceCuts at The Sugar Club, incorporating an in-depth discussion on music, DJ culture, Club Culture and the future of the city with 7 prominent Dublin DJs.